The aim of the study was to determine the effect of oligosaccharides administered in ovo on enzymatic activity, mucin concentration and oxidative stress markers in the intestinal mucosa in broilers. In total, 365 eggs of Ross 308 broiler chickens were divided into 3 groups and on day 12 of incubation injected with 0.2 ml of saline without oligosaccharide (control) or with 1.2 mg xylotetrose (XOS4), or mannotriose (MOS3). After hatching, birds were reared for 42 days and then 10 chickens from each group were selected to collect mucosal samples from the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and cecum for biochemical analyses. In the duodenum, XOS4 increased cytosolic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity as compared to the MOS3 group. Both oligosaccharides decreased secretory immunoglobulin A concentration. In the jejunum, in ovo stimulation with XOS4 reduced oxidant concentration in comparison with the control group and increased cytosolic SOD activity as compared to the MOS3. Both XOS4 and MOS3 significantly decreased catalase activity in this part of the intestine. XOS4 also reduced LDH activity as compared to the control. Stimulation with MOS3 increased glutathione peroxidase in the ileum, while in the cecal mucosa, both oligosaccharides reduced the content of antioxidants and lipid peroxidation products. In the cecum, the MOS3 administration increased total SOD (P < 0.01) as compared to the other groups and cytosolic SOD and creatine kinase activities as compared to the control group. There were no effects on the activities of alkaline phosphatase, aminotransferases, and γ-glutamyl transferase, and mucin concentration in any part of the intestine. XOS4 and MOS3 differ in their effects on the mucosa and their influence depends on the gut segment. In ovo injection of XOS4 and MOS3 affects antioxidant status and enzymes involved in energy metabolism in the intestinal epithelium, mainly in the jejunum and cecum.
Konopka et al. (2026) studied this question.