Effects of antioxidants consumption and low protein diets on liver and intestine histopathology and performance of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The study investigated the effects of two types of antioxidants, a natural antioxidant (Eselenium) and a synthetic antioxidant (loxidan) in diets containing protein value lower than essential requirements, on performance and histopathological changes in the liver and intestine of Japanese quails. The experimental diets were: Group A – basal diet (control), Group B – 15 % crude protein reduction without recommended antioxidant, Group C – 15 % crude protein reduction plus 1 g/kg E-selenium, Group D – 15 % reduction in crude protein plus 0.2 g/kg loxidan, Group E – 30 % reduction in crude protein without recommended antioxidant, Group F – 30 % reduction in crude protein plus 1 g/kg E-selenium. Group G - 30 % reduction in crude protein plus 0.2 g/kg loxidan. Birds in groups B and E showed a significant reduction (p<0.05) in body weight compared to the control group. Birds fed E-selenium and loxidan exhibited significantly better (p<0.05) body weights compared to the birds in groups D and F groups. Birds in group E fed with 30 % reduction in the dietary protein had significantly higher (p<0.05) liver weights. The relative weight of the intestine decreased in the birds in groups B and E compared to the control group. 15 and 30 % reduction in dietary protein intake of birds caused mild hyperemia and edema of the intestine. The severity of liver congestion and edema were lower in group E birds when compared with birds in group B. Results indicated that the used of two kinds of antioxidants (natural and synthetic) effect on the performance parameters of Japanese quails which were exposed to nutritional stresses (such as reducing dietary protein) compensated parts of the adverse effects. Therefore, antioxidants intake is useful for recovery of quails performance fed low-protein diets.Keywords: E-Selenium, Loxidan, Intestine, Liver, Performance, Protein, Quai

EFFECTS OF DIETARY FUNCTIONAL ADDITIVES ON CHARACTERISTICS AND MINERALS OF TIBIA BONE AND BLOOD PARAMETERS OF JAPANESE QUAILS (COTURNIX COTURNIX JAPONICA)

ABSTRACT: The aim of present study was to evaluate the comparison influences of probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic on physical characteristics and minerals of tibia and related blood parameter of Japanese Quails. Total of 192 one-day old Japanese quail chicks were randomly assigned in four treatments and four replicates. The experimental diets consisted of a basal diet without additive (Control), probiotic (Protexin®), prebiotic (Fermacto®) and synbiotic (Biomin®IMBO) added to the basal diet. At the end of Experiment, blood samples were taken and then birds slaughtered for tibia bone analysis. The synbiotic consumption, caused to elevation of alkaline phosphates activity (p<0.05) in males. But in females, enzyme activity was depressed by consumption of additives (p<0.05). In males, the tibia length/tibia weight indicator, increased by additives consumption (p<0.05). Diaphysis diameter in relative to body weight with use of additives declined in males and elevated only in probiotic fed in females group (p<0.05). The medullar canal diameter was greater than other groups (p<0.05) in females fed by probiotic. The wall thickness of midpoint decreased in males of prebiotic fed group and in females of probiotic fed group (p<0.05). The calcium and phosphorous of tibia bone structure were elevation in males fed by synbiotic (p<0.05). The robusticity index in males had been show elevation by additive consumption (p<0.05). Results indicated that response of birds to additives is dependent to gender and synbiotic is a more affective to bone parameters. But, all of these effects do not positive for bone characteristics. Therefore, the more researches are necessary to clearing for reasons of some negative effects

Effects of probiotic (live and inactive Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on meat and intestinal microbial properties of Japanese quails

The present work evaluated the effect of probiotic (live and inactive Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on meat and intestinal microbial properties of Japanese quails. Twenty-four (24) 1-day-old Japanese quails were obtained from a commercial hatchery. The birds were randomly divided into 2 groups. The dietary treatments were: 1) basal diet (control), 2) basal diet plus 0.1% live S. cerevisiae and 0.05% inactive S. cerevisiae. The Japanese quails were fed with the diets from day 1 to day 72. At the end of the experiment, 12 Japanese quails per experimental group were slaughtered, and meat and intestinal samples were taken. Collected meat and intestinal samples were transported at 4°C to the laboratory of food hygiene in Islamic Azad University, Tabriz branch. In this study, each sample of 25 g was prepared according to the standard methods of Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran; No: 356, 1810, 2197, 2946, 1194 and 437 for preparation, culture and detection of bacterial total count, Lactobacilli bacteria, Coliforms bacteria, Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus sp. According to the results of effects of probiotic (active and inactive S. cerevisiae) on intestinal and meat microbial properties of Japanese quails, in the probiotic cases, a significant reduction in the properties of total bacterial count (p = 0.007), Streptococcus sp. (p = 0.046), Coliform (p = 0.041) and Lactobacillus (p = 0.032) in intestinal microbial properties and only significant reduction on properties of total bacterial count was observed (p = 0.01). Probiotics may help in reducing the microbial properties of meat and intestine, and the present study had provided evidences that supplementation of probiotics in the diet of Japanese quails had a significant effect on microbial properties reduction, especially on intestinal microbial flora.Keywords: Probiotic, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, microbial properties, Japanese quail

Effects of low-protein diets supplemented with antioxidants on histopathology of testis and testosterone and performance of male Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica )

ABSTRACT The present study sought to examine the effects of low-protein diets supplemented with natural and synthetic antioxidants on reproductive traits and performance of male Japanese quail. A total of 144 one-day-old quail chicks were randomly assigned to receive four different treatments, including a control diet (a basal diet) without antioxidant supplementation, low-protein diet without antioxidant supplementation, low-protein diet supplemented with the E-selenium antioxidant (a combination of vitamin E and selenium), and low-protein diet supplemented with the antioxidant Loxidan (a combination of propyl galat, ethoxyquin, and citric acid). Throughout the study, feed and water were provided ad libitum from one to 45 days of age. Performance values were calculated at the end of the experimental period. Blood samples were collected from the wing vein of six male birds randomly selected from each treatment group. Subsequently, blood samples were used to measure serum testosterone levels by ELISA. A total of 36 slides were prepared from testes of 12 adult quail for histological studies. Results from this study showed that there was a significant increase in blood testosterone levels of quail fed the antioxidant Loxidan. An increased number of spermatogonia was found in quail fed both antioxidants. In addition, a significant increase was found in the number of spermatid cells in quail fed a low-protein diet with antioxidants. Surprisingly, spermatozoa cells showed a significant elevation in quail fed antioxidants as compared with those fed low-protein diets. Interestingly, a significant increase was observed in the final body weight of the quail fed antioxidants. Therefore, it can be deduced that antioxidant intake not only can improve reproductive indices, such as testosterone levels and testicular tissue in Japanese quail, but is also useful for performance of quail fed low-protein diets