Effect of Dietary Marula Nut Meal on Liver Lipid Content and Surrogate Markers of Liver and Kidney Function of Broiler and Layer Japanese Quail

Marula nut meal (MNM) can substitute soyabean meal (SBM) as a dietary protein source in Japanese quail diets without compromising growth performance and egg production. However, MNM has a high residual oil content which may impact metabolic health. The effects of MNM on hepatic lipid content and general, liver and kidney health have not been determined in both broilers and layers. Accordingly, two studies were run. In the broiler study two hundred 9-days old Japanese quail were randomly allocated to five diets wherein MNM replaced SBM on a crude protein (CP) basis at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%, respectively, in both grower and finisher diets. In the layer study, sixty 5-weeks old Japanese maiden hens, individually housed, were randomly allocated to five-layer diets where MNM replaced SBM on a graded CP basis as for the broilers and fed for 8 weeks. At study termination the birds were slaughtered, blood collected and plasma harvested. Livers were excised, weighed and liver lipid content determined. Plasma surrogate markers of general health, liver and kidney function were determined. Dietary MNM had no effect (P > 0.05) on liver lipid content as well plasma surrogate markers of general health, liver and kidney function of the broiler quail. Dietary MNM at 75% of SBM CP significantly increased plasma phosphorus concentration of quail hens compared to that of counterparts fed control. Dietary MNM can be used in broiler and layer Japanese quail diets without risking development of fatty livers and compromising liver and kidney function.

Replacement level of rubber seed cake for soybean meal on the growth of Japanese quail

A four-week feeding trial on the simultaneous replacement of 0 to 50% of soybean meal and 0 to 100% of soybean oil on the growth performance, carcass composition and profitability was conducted using 45 randomly chosen one-week-old growing Japanese quail. The five experimental diets were; D0= Diet containing 20% soybean meal and 4% soybean oil (control diet), D1= Diet, where 12.5% of soybean meal and 25% of soybean oil has been replaced by RSC; T2 = Diet, where 25% of soybean meal and 50% of soybean oil has been replaced by RSC; T3 = Diet, where 37.5% of soybean meal and 75% of soybean oil has been replaced by RSC; T4 = Diet, where 50% of soybean meal and 100% of soybean oil has been replaced by RSC. Results demonstrated that in raw rubber seed the proportion of kernel to hull is 64: 36. Proximate components of the boiled and sundried full fat rubber seed kernel (RS) were, moisture = 96.6%, ME = 5305 kcal / kg DM, CP = 17.6%, EE = 51.05%, CF = 8.5%, NFE = 18.25% and Ash = 4.6%. The body weights of the birds at 35 days of age in all dietary treatments were statistically similar. The feed intake of the quail among different dietary groups was varied significantly (p < 0.05) and there was a tendency of decreasing the feed intake at 25% and above inclusion level of RSC. The body weight gain and FCR were also statistically similar in all dietary groups. The feed cost and total production cost /kg BW of quail was also found to become steadily higher (p> 0.05) at higher RSC inclusion level. The muscle development was found to better at lower (%) RSC level, whereas the organs were enlarged at higher RSC inclusion. Results on the majority of the production parameters, and economics and carcass yield parameters suggested that the simultaneous replacement of maximum 50% soybean oil 25% soybean meal by processed RSC might be suggested, particularly, there will be a crisis in the availability of these two ingredients.

Evaluation of Sex Effects on Serum Biochemical and Genetic Parameters of Japanese Quails

The study evaluated effect of Sex on serum biochemical parameters and Correlation with body weight of Japanese quails. A total of 400 birds (200 birds per sex) were reared in a Completely Randomized Design under standard management practices for 7 weeks with feed and water given ad libitum. Sex were considered treatments. Weekly body weight (BW) was measured. The three authors have declared that, “principle of laboratory animal care” (NIH publication 85 - 23 revised 1985) were followed as well as the University law. All the experiment have been examined and approved by the University law.100 birds per sex were randomly selected and blood samples were collected for serum biochemical parameters: blood Glucose (GLU), Total Cholesterol (CHOL), Triglycerides (TG), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Total Protein (TP), Albumin (ALB)and globulin (GLB). The results indicated that sex significantly (P < 0.05) influenced all the serum biochemical parameters of Japanese quail measured in this study at week 7. All data collected were analyzed with GLM of SAS ver. 9.2 and means were separated. Females of Japanese quail had the higher least square means in the serum biochemical parameters of Japanese quails than the Male counterparts. Females showed higher means in TP, ALB, GLB, TG, CHOL, AS, ALT and GLU significantly (P<0.05) higher than males with for the same parameters, respectively. However, males showed higher significant (P<0.05) difference in ALP than females measured. Correlation between BW and serum biochemical parameters for male quails ranged from -15% to 15% (low trend) while that of Female counterparts was -73% to 73% (low to high trend). In conclusion, female quails had higher values in TP, ALB, GLB, TG, CHOL, AST, ALT and GLU than the Males counterparts’ exception of ALP. Hence, female quails were considered fit for studying quails’ health status as early clinical signs will be observed for quick responds to arrest the situation that will lead to disease outbreak and a breeding program will be established for quails. Body weight of female quails is a good selection tool to predict serum biochemical parameters of quails. The correlation coefficient between body weight and serum biochemical parameters was high and significant in favor of female Japanese quails.

Targeted Metabolomics to Assess Exposure to Environmental Chemicals of Concern in Japanese Quail at Two Life Stages

This proof-of-concept study characterizes the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) hepatic metabolome following exposure to benzo[a]pyrene, chlorpyrifos, ethinylestradiol, fluoxetine hydrochloride, hexabromocyclododecane, lead(II)nitrate, seleno-L-methionine, and trenbolone in embryos and adults. The analysis revealed effects on lipid metabolism following exposure to several chemicals at both life stages. The most pronounced effects were observed in embryos exposed to 41.1 μg/g chlorpyrifos. This work highlighted challenges and the need for further avian metabolomics studies.