Propolis alleviates the negative effects of heat stress on egg production, egg quality, physiological and immunological aspects of laying Japanese quail

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of three concentrations of the Moringa oleifera seed powder as a feed supplement on the productive performance and egg quality traits of laying Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) exposed to heat stress. The expression patterns of the genes estrogen receptors (ESR2), follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), prolactin receptor (PRLR), and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR) were estimated in ovaries, using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. A total of 200 laying quail aged seven weeks were randomly allocated to the following four experimental groups—the control (CNT), T1, T2, and T3 groups; each group comprised 50 quail females with 5 replicates (10 per group). The CNT group was fed a basal diet, whereas the T1, T2, and T3 groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% M. oleifera seed powder, respectively. The results revealed that the T3 group showed the highest hen-day egg production (%) as well as the highest egg yolk index. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio improved significantly (p < 0.05) with increased concentrations of the M. oleifera seed powder supplementation. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of ESR2, FSHR, and STAR increased significantly in the T3 group, compared to those in the CNT group. Alterations in ovarian gene expressions corresponded to the reproductive patterns of the treated Japanese quail. Thus, it was concluded that the supplementation of the Japanese quail feed with 0.3% M. oleifera seed powder during the laying period might enhance resistance to heat stress and consequently improve egg productivity.

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Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Moringa oleifera Leaves and/or Seeds Powder on Production, Egg Characteristics, Hatchability and Blood Chemistry of Laying Japanese Quails

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12062463 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 2463 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Elwy A. Ashour ◽

Mohamed S. El-Kholy ◽

Mahmoud Alagawany ◽

Mohamed E. Abd El-Hack ◽

Laila A. Mohamed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Japanese Quail ◽

Egg Production ◽

Moringa Oleifera ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Control Group ◽

Egg Mass ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Japanese Quails ◽

G Ratio

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) leaves and/or seed powder on laying Japanese quail performance in terms of egg production, egg quality, blood serum characteristics, and reproduction. In total, 168 Japanese quails (120 hens and 48 males) at eight weeks of age in laying period were randomly distributed to four treatment groups, with six replicates per group and seven birds (five hens and two males) per replicate. The first group (G1) served as a control group, while G2, G3 and G4 groups were supplemented with M. oleifera leaves (ML) and M. oleifera seeds (MS) and their combination ((1 g/kg ML; 1 g/kg MS; and 1 ML g/kg + 1 MS g/kg (MSL), respectively). From the results, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, fertility and hatchability from fertile eggs, egg and yolk index, and Haugh unit were not affected by dietary treatments. However, egg production, egg mass, eggshell thickness, and hatchability were significantly increased and blood aspartate transaminase (AST) and urea decreased in the MS treatment. Both triglycerides and total cholesterol were reduced (p < 0.05) in all treatments with ML, MS, and MSL, with no significant differences in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin, total protein, globulin, and A/G ratio among dietary treatment. Our results clearly indicated that the inclusion of M. oleifera seeds in Japanese quail diet significantly increased egg production and improved hatchability, along with some egg quality parameters, and also lowered some blood biochemical components.

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Performance of broilers and layers supplemented with Moringa stenopetala leaf meal under hot humid tropical conditions

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an19671 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 60 (17) ◽

pp. 1987

Author(s):

Metekia Tamiru ◽

Shiferaw Ashagrie ◽

Ashraf Alkhtib ◽

Minyehun Getachew ◽

Solomon Demeke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Egg Production ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Conversion Ratio ◽

Feed Conversion Ratio ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Moringa Stenopetala ◽

Meat Weight ◽

Leaf Meal ◽

Tropical Conditions

Context Heat stress poses a major limit to poultry production. Moringa stenopetala leaf meal (MSL) could be a promising feed additive for poultry raised under heat stress, as it is rich in antioxidants. Aims To determine the effect of (MSL) supplementation on the production and quality of broilers under heat-stress conditions. Methods In the broiler performance trial, 156 1-day old Cobb 500 broilers were assigned to four groups, with each containing three replicates of 13 chicks. For the egg production trial, 108 Bovan Brown layers aged 20 weeks were allocated to four groups, with each containing three replicates of nine hens. The four groups of broiler and layer chicken were supplemented with MSL at a level of 0% (control), 1% (MSL1), 1.5% (MSL1.5) and 2% (MSL2). Relative humidity, and minimum and maximum temperatures were 82%, 13°C and 23°C respectively. The effects of MSL supplementation on growth performance, characteristics of digestive organs, carcass traits, egg production and egg quality were analysed with one-way ANOVA. Key results Moringa stenopetala-leaf supplementation at a level up to 2% (MSL2) did not significantly affect feed intake, weight gain or feed conversion ratio of the birds. Supplemented broilers had a significantly longer large intestine (24% for MSL1, 37% for MSL1.5 and 49% for MSL2) and a heavier pancreas (82% for MSL1, 67% for MSL1.5, and 57% for MSL2) than did the control broilers. Hot and cold carcass weights, dressing yield, dressing percentage, breast-meat weight, drumstick and thigh-meat weights, wing-meat weight, back weight and meat pH were not significantly affected by MSL supplementation. Ash content of meat of the MSL2-fed birds was significantly higher than that of the control birds (3.51% vs 2.74% respectively). Egg production, feed conversion ratio and interior and exterior egg-quality parameters were not significantly affected by MSL supplementation. Intensity of yolk colour was significantly and linearly enhanced due to MSL supplementation (by ~5–8 times compared with the control). Conclusions Supplementation with MSL at a level up to 2% improved yolk colour of Bovan Brown layer eggs, with no effect on meat and egg production. Implications Yolk colour of eggs of layers raised under heat stress can be improved by MSL supplementation at 1%, with there being a minimum increase in the diet cost.

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Increasing Quantity and Internal Quality of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) Eggs by Shooting Laser Puncture at Reproductive Acupuncture Points

Veterinary Medicine International ◽

10.1155/2021/6621965 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Sunaryo Hadi Warsito ◽

Tatang Santanu Adikara ◽

Septiana Megasari ◽

Ilham Radifan Pratama ◽

Mirni Lamid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Japanese Quail ◽

Egg Production ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Acupuncture Point ◽

Coturnix Japonica ◽

Internal Quality ◽

Acupuncture Points ◽

Coturnix Coturnix Japonica ◽

Coturnix Coturnix ◽

Haugh Unit

This study aims to determine the effect of laser puncture shooting on the reproductive acupuncture points of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) egg quantity (egg production) and internal egg quality (Haugh unit, yolk index, and yolk colour). This research was conducted for 30 days using a sample of Japanese quail aged 4 weeks because for the first 2 weeks, the quail did not produce and it was in production in the last 2 weeks. There were 4 treatments and 25 replications each. So, there were a total of 100 quails. Laser puncture shooting was carried out at 3-day intervals at the Ova point and 6-day intervals at Hu Men, Bei Ji, and Wei Gen points. So, on the first day, laser puncture shooting was carried out at 4 points, on the 4th day, only at 1 point, and then, on the 7th day, it returned to 4 points. And so, it was carried out for 4 weeks. T0 (−) was considered as a negative control because quails are not given laser puncture shooting; T0 (+) was considered as a positive control because quails are treated with laser puncture shooting which is deactivated or a dose of 0 Joule; T1 was a group treated with laser puncture shooting at a dose of 0.2 Joule, and T2 was a group treated with laser puncture shooting at a dose of 0.5 Joule. Then, the research results were analyzed using Analysis of Variance and followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Laser puncture shooting at the reproductive acupuncture point of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) can increase the quantity of eggs ( p < 0.05 ). While the results of the egg internal quality in the form of the Haugh unit value and the yolk index increased ( p < 0.05 ), the value of the yolk colour did not change compared to the control ( p > 0.05 ). Laser puncture shooting at the reproductive acupuncture point of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) can increase egg quantity (egg production) and internal egg quality (Haugh unit and yolk index) with the best dose of 0.5 Joule.

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EVALUATION OF SPIRULINA ALGAE (SPIRULINA PLATENSIS) AS A FEED SUPPLEMENT FOR JAPANESE QUAIL: NUTIRITIONAL EFFECTS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, EGG PRODUCTION, EGG QUALITY, BLOOD METABOLITES, SPERM-EGG PENETRATION AND FERTILITY

Egyptian Poultry Science Journal ◽

10.21608/epsj.2017.5390 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 707-719 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

F. M. K. Abouelezz

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Japanese Quail ◽

Spirulina Platensis ◽

Egg Production ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Blood Metabolites ◽

Feed Supplement

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Three hulless oat varieties show economic potential as organic layer feed grain

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170517000217 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 33 (5) ◽

pp. 418-431 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Louisa R. Winkler ◽

Kevin M. Murphy ◽

James C. Hermes

Keyword(s):

Egg Production ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Control Diet ◽

Organic Layer ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Market Prices ◽

Study Region ◽

Economic Implications ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Poultry Diets

AbstractHulless oats are of interest as an alternative to corn and wheat in organic poultry diets because they offer potential to enhance agrobiodiversity and produce locally grown feeds both within and outside of corn-growing regions. Hulless oats are easily certified GM-free and have demonstrated nutritional value for poultry. A feeding study was carried out to examine: (i) the effects of substituting corn, wheat or a fraction of each with hulless oats in organic layer diets, and (ii) the importance of oat variety in feed performance. Productivity and economic implications in the context of current organic markets were explored. Experimental diets included an oat-free control, Oat + corn, Oat + wheat and Oat + corn + wheat, each of which was formulated with three hulless oat varieties, AC Gwen, Paul and Streaker. All but the control diet included oats at 200 g kg−1. Three hundred Hy-Line Brown hens were individually caged and allocated to diets in groups of 10 in a completely randomized design with three replicates per diet. Experimental diets were fed between 24 and 32 weeks of age during which time hen health, egg production and egg quality indicators were monitored. Results indicated that hulless oats had no negative effects on hen health and productivity. On the basis of current organic feed ingredient prices and an estimated cost of USD 533 mt−1 for production of oats in the study region, oat containing diets were more expensive than the oat-free control. In an evaluation of revenue based on current market prices for organic eggs, the additional cost was completely offset by larger egg sizes of hens on oat containing diets. There were no major differences associated with oat variety.

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Impact of Heat Stress on Poultry Health and Performances, and Potential Mitigation Strategies

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10081266 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1266 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sanjeev Wasti ◽

Nirvay Sah ◽

Birendra Mishra

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Egg Production ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Economic Loss ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Variable Degree ◽

Poultry Industry ◽

Nutritional Strategies

Heat stress is one of the major environmental stressors in the poultry industry resulting in substantial economic loss. Heat stress causes several physiological changes, such as oxidative stress, acid-base imbalance, and suppressed immunocompetence, which leads to increased mortality and reduced feed efficiency, body weight, feed intake, and egg production, and also affects meat and egg quality. Several strategies, with a variable degree of effectiveness, have been implemented to attenuate heat stress in poultry. Nutritional strategies, such as restricting the feed, wet or dual feeding, adding fat in diets, supplementing vitamins, minerals, osmolytes, and phytochemicals, have been widely studied and found to reduce the deleterious effects of heat stress. Furthermore, the use of naked neck (Na) and frizzle (F) genes in certain breed lines have also gained massive attention in recent times. However, only a few of these strategies have been widely used in the poultry industry. Therefore, developing heat-tolerant breed lines along with proper management and nutritional approach needs to be considered for solving this problem. Thus, this review highlights the scientific evidence regarding the effects of heat stress on poultry health and performances, and potential mitigation strategies against heat stress in broiler chickens and laying hens.

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