Modulatory Effects of Arctostaphylos uva-urs Extract In Ovo Injected into Broiler Embryos Contaminated by Aflatoxin B1

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The poultry industry is of great importance worldwide; however, mycotoxins contamination, especially aflatoxins, has harmful effects on poultry production. Therefore, finding out new strategies to alleviate aflatoxin contamination is an important trend of research. In our study, we focused on the in ovo injection techniques using the methanolic extract of brae beery “Arctostaphylos uva-ursi” (Ar. uu) to modulate the aflatoxinB1 (AFB1) adverse effects in broiler embryos. As a result, 0.1 g of Ar. uu in ovo injection alleviates AFB1 embryotoxicity by enhancing chicks’ physiological responses and optimizing antioxidant status, which is reflected in a low mortality rate and heavier relative weight of the hatched chicks. The in ovo injection of AFB1 + Ar. uu significantly declined AFB1-induced toxicity in embryos and increased broiler chicks embryo’s survival by 62.5%, increased relative embryo weight by ∼65.25% compared to eggs injected with AFB1 alone. Regarding immune responses, the in ovo injection of Ar. uu enhances the embryo’s humoral immune responses and regulates oxidative stress biomarkers. In general, the in ovo injection of Ar. uu modulates broiler chicks’ embryotoxicity caused by AFB1. ABSTRACT: In ovo injection of nutrients can modulate the embryo’s physiological responses against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) embryotoxicity. This hypothesis was tested using in ovo injection of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Ar. uu.) methanolic extract. The total polyphenols, total flavonoids, total antioxidant capacity, and GC-MS analysis were all assessed in the Ar. uu. methanolic extract. A total of 180 ten-day-old embryonated eggs were distributed into six groups of 30 replicates each. The first group was used as a control (non-injected), and the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth groups were injected with 10 µ double-distilled water (DDW), 500 µL methanol, 0.01 g Ar. uu./500 µL methanol, 50 ng AFB1/10 µL DDW, and 50 ng AFB1 in 10 µ DDW + 0.01 g Ar. uu./500 µL methanol, respectively. The relative embryo weight, residual yolk sac weight, tibia length and weight, and survival were recorded. Total and differential leukocytes, oxidative stress, and humoral immune responses were observed. The residual yolk sac was lower (p < 0.05) in the Ar. uu. group than other groups. The embryonic growth (tibia weight and length) was enhanced in AFB1 + Ar. uu.-injected embryos compared with those injected with AFB1 alone. In conclusion, in ovo injection of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi could modulate AFB1-induced toxicity in chicken embryos.