مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - The Importance of Maternal Antioxidants for Embryo Development in Birds

Abstract :

Egg yolk is source of maternal effect in birds, and antioxidants are transferred to egg yolk from maternal plasma during yolk development. In fact, maternal antioxidant system affects antioxidant level of the egg yolk. Antioxidants, are not synthesized in the organism in birds, are taken into the body through feed. Therefore, maternal s consumed feed and feed components influence the yolk antioxidant level and antioxidant/pro-oxidant balance in the embryo tissue. Maternal antioxidants in yolk are lipid-soluble antioxidants (vit-A, vit-E and carotenoids) and phosvitin which is in the protein granules of yolk. Maternal antioxidants have the main role on embryo development and prevention of oxidative stress. Egg yolk contains high level of fat and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to provide energy and normal development of the embryo. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) via this high level of fat and PUFA can lead to damage in embryo tissues. For that reason, embryo tissues need to contain effective antioxidants which protect to embryo against LPO. Natural antioxidant resources in embryo tissues are not sufficient to protect the embryo which is under risk due to the increase LPO and PUFA and use of oxygen in embryo tissues on the day 19th of embryo development. Maternal antioxidants are also important in reducing the harmful effects of free radicals on the efficiency of the immune system, because newly hatched chick s immune system is not functional. In addition, maternal antioxidants protect newly hatched chick against reactive oxygen species (ROS). The purpose of this review was to evaluate the importance of maternal antioxidants in egg yolk during embryo development.