Researcher(s)
- Shelby Serrano, Animal Science, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Shafeekh Muyyarikkandy, Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects approximately 1 in 6 live births worldwide, with maternal hyperglycemia leading to multi-organ abnormalities in offspring, including metabolic disruptions and impaired muscle development that may contribute to long-term risks. The chicken embryo serves as an innovative model to isolate the direct effects of hyperglycemia on embryonic development, free from maternal-placental interactions, thereby enabling a precise evaluation of interventions such as probiotics. No Antibiotic Ever (NAE) rearing emphasizes the use of alternative growth promoters, making probiotics a key option instead of antibiotics in poultry raising. This study analyzes the efficacy of a novel live and heat-inactivated probiotic, Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides (MLS3), on breast muscle development in chicken embryos under GDM-like hyperglycemic conditions. We obtained 300 fertilized eggs from Longnecker Hatchery, PA, and divided them into treatment groups: Saline Control (T1), Glucose Overload (T2), Live MLS3 (T3), Heat-Inactivated MLS3 (T4), Live MLS3 + Glucose Overload (T6), and Heat-Inactivated MLS3 + Glucose Overload (T7). Treatments (100 µL) were administered via the air sac route starting on day 4. On day 18, egg and embryo weights were recorded, blood glucose levels measured, and breast muscle tissues collected for analysis. RT-qPCR and Western blot assessed genes of interest. Results indicated a higher mortality rate in T2 (30%) compared to the other groups. Notably, breast muscle weights were significantly larger in T6 (p = 0.135) relative to others, accompanied by improved embryo weights. MyoG (p < 0.3) and FGF2 (p < 0.3) were upregulated in T7 breast muscle versus T2. These findings suggest that heat-inactivated MLS3 supports muscle growth and immune resilience during GDM-modeled hyperglycemia, potentially mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation while preserving growth signaling pathways, such as IGF-1. This chicken embryo model offers mechanistic insights into probiotic viability in GDM, aiding the development of safer prenatal strategies and broiler production practices.