Intra-amniotic administration and dietary inulin affect the iron status and intestinal functionality of iron-deficient broiler chickens.

Inulin, a linear β-fructan, is present in a variety of plants, with relatively high levels of up to 20% in chicory root. It exhibits prebiotic properties and was shown to enhance mineral absorption. Our objectives were to assess the effect of intra-amniotic administration of inulin at 17 d of incubation on the iron status of broiler chicks (at hatch, 21 d) and to continue to monitor iron status with and without dietary inulin on these hatchlings for 42 d. The study included 3 prehatch treatment groups (n = 30): 1) inulin, inulin solution (4% inulin/0.85% saline); 2) control 1, untreated eggs; and 3) control 2, saline solution (0.85% saline). Solutions were injected into the naturally consumed amniotic fluid of 17-d-old chicken embryos (groups 1, 3). Upon hatch (93% hatchability), and from each group, 10 chicks were killed and their small intestine, liver, and cecum were removed for mRNA abundance of intestinal iron-related transporters, liver ferritin amounts, and bacterial analysis of cecal content, respectively. From the remaining chicks of each group, chicks were allocated to a standard corn-based diet (± 4% inulin, n = 10). During the trial, hemoglobin concentrations and body hemoglobin-Fe values were higher in the inulin group versus controls (P < 0.05). On d 42, birds were anesthetized and their duodenal loops were exposed. A nonocclusive catheter was inserted into the duodenal vein for blood sampling. A solution containing ⁵⁸Fe (0.1 mg of Fe/10 mM ascorbic acid) added to the digested diet sample was injected into the loop. Blood samples were collected every 5 min and for 90 min postinjection and analyzed by inductively coupled argon-plasma mass spectrometry for ⁵⁸Fe concentrations. At the end of the procedure, animals were killed and cecum contents and sections of the duodenum and liver were removed. Results showed that ⁵⁸Fe absorption rates were at times higher in the inulin group versus the other groups. Also, mRNA abundance of DMT1 (an Fe transporter) and ferroportin in addition to liver ferritin amounts were higher (P < 0.05) in the inulin group versus controls. Results indicate that intra-amniotic administration and dietary inulin improved the iron status of iron-deficient broilers.