Embryonic Adenosine Triphosphate:Phosphodiesters Ratios Obtained with In Vivo Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (Phosphorus-31): A New Technique for Selecting Leaner Broiler Chickens

Phosphorus-containing compounds of 18-d-old embryos from two broiler chicken lines, differing in body fat content, were measured using in vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Subsequently, the same birds were slaughtered at 8 wk of age and the whole body was analyzed for body fat content. The birds of the fat line had lower (P = .002) embryonic adenosine triphosphate (ATP):phosphodiester (PDE) ratios, higher (P = .002) body fat content when adjusted to common BW, and higher (P = .047) dry matter content than the lean line. No differences (P > .05) were detected for BW between the two lines. Females of the two lines had lower (P = .002) ATP:PDE ratios, lower (P = .001) BW, higher (P = .003) adjusted fat contents, and higher (P = .003) dry matter content than the males. No interaction (P > .05) between sexes and lines was detected for any variables. Regression equations indicating a linear negative relationship (Ybody fat content = 369.05 - 407.27 XATP:PDE + .1295 XBW, R2 = .62 to .78; or Ybody fat % = 30.57 - 19.4 XATP:PDE, R2 = .49 to .71) between embryonic ATP:PDE ratios and body fat content were developed.