Nutrição “in ovo”: injeção de vitamina C em ovos embrionados de frangos de corte: revisão sistemática e metanálise

Abstract

The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of in ovo administration of vitamin C in fertilized eggs on the hatching and post-hatching characteristics of broiler chickens. The updated search for scientific articles was carried out in January 2023 in different databases using the keywords (“vitamin C” OR “ascorbic acid” OR ascorbate) AND “in ovo” AND broiler. Only articles that evaluated the effect of in ovo administration of vitamin C on hatching parameters and performance parameters in broiler chickens were used. The meta-analysis was carried out using the random effects model, considering the differences between the groups inoculated with vitamin C and the control group (only vehicle inoculation), at a 95% confidence interval. Publication bias was assessed using the funnel plot and Egger's test. The general analysis showed that the inoculation of vitamin C influenced (P<0.05) the hatchability of the eggs but did not influenced hatching weight. Increased hatchability was observed (P < 0.05) only with 6 and 3000 μg/egg of vitamin C and higher hatching weights was only observed (P< 0.05) when 1000 μg/egg of vitamin C were used. The in ovo injection of vitamin C increased (P< 0.05) weight gain and reduced (P< 0.05) feed conversion. It is concluded that in ovo administration with vitamin C at a dose of 3000 μg/egg improves the productive indices of broiler chickens regardless of strain. Saline solution should be used as a diluent, with the amnion or yolk sac being the recommended sites for the procedure. Vitamin c should be administered at the embryonic age between 6 and 18 days.