A comparative study on oxidative status during embryonic development in Broiler and Vanaraja embryos

Commercial poultry production is associated with various stress factors that contribute to reduced productive and reproductive performance in growing chicks, breeders, and commercial layers. A growing body of evidence indicates that most of these stressors at the cellular level are linked to oxidative stress. Hence, a comparative study was conducted on broiler and Vanaraja embryos during embryonic development to assess their oxidative status. The results revealed a significant increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), lipid hydroperoxides (LHPO), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, and GST), along with a significant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and catalase activity in both liver and brain tissues as embryonic growth progressed. In both tissues, the levels of TBARS, LHPO, TAC, and the activities of GPx and GST were significantly higher in broiler embryos compared to Vanaraja embryos. In contrast, the activities of SOD and catalase, as well as GSH levels were significantly higher in Vanaraja embryos. Moreover, in both types of embryos, GSH levels and antioxidant enzyme activities were higher in liver tissue compared to brain tissue, whereas TBARS, LHPO, and TAC were higher in brain tissue than in liver tissue. Egg weight loss during incubation was within the optimal range, ensuring maximum hatchability and hatchling quality.