Effect of Maternal Folate Deficiency on Growth Performance, Slaughter Performance, and Serum Parameters of Broiler Offspring

In this study, we aimed to investigate the influence of maternal folate deficiency on the production performance and serum parameters of broiler offspring. The 120 healthy female broilers (30-week-old) were randomly allotted into two groups. The groups were either fed a basal diet supplemented with 2.0 mg/kg folate (NF) or basal diet (FD). The experiment lasted 12 weeks, and 120 fertilized eggs were collected from each group for hatching. In total, 80 chicks were selected from each group and fed under the same conditions. No significant difference was observed in the average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and feed to gain ratio of 21- and 42-day-old broilers between NF and FD groups (P>0.05). Moreover, slaughter performance of 21- and 42-day-old broiler offspring were not affected by the maternal FD. The subcutaneous fat thickness at the age of 21 days increased significantly by maternal FD (P<0.01); however, there was no significant difference between the two groups at 42 days of age (P>0.05). Similarly, no significant differences were detected in the intermuscular fat width, lipid percentage in the liver, breast muscle, and thigh muscle between the NF and FD groups at 21- and 42-days of age (P>0.05). Serum concentrations of MTHFR, DHFR, LEP, IGF2, LPL and HCY in the 21-day-old broilers were not affected by maternal FD (P>0.05), but those of HSL at 21 days of age was enhanced by maternal FD (P<0.05). These findings indicated that maternal folate deficiency had no influence on production performance, slaughter performance, most fat traits of 21- and 42-day-old broiler offspring, and serum parameters of 21-day-old broiler offspring except HSL.