In Ovo injection of Glutamine and the Effects on Intestinal Epithelium

• Mia Sanders, Animal Science, University of Delaware

• Yihang Li, Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware

In ovo injection of nutrients is used to supplement the young chick with nutrients before hatching. This allows growth and development of the intestinal epithelial cells and the gut before hatching. During embryonic development the gut and intestinal barrier prevents outside bacteria from invading the body when hatched; the addition of nutrients during this growth period allows the intestinal barrier to develop earlier and stronger. The substance that is being injected into the egg in this experiment is glutamine which is a nutrient that promotes cell proliferation in the intestine as well as the function and minimizes inflammatory responses in the situation of mucosal irritation. The injection of glutamine into the egg can improve the growth rate of the interstitial epithelial cells and the gut barrier which can increase the mortality rate of the chick and gastrointestinal function.