Modulatory effects of ascorbic acid and/or betaine on responses of packed cell volume and some productiontraits of male Japanese quails during dry season.

Abstract

The experiment investigated the modulatory effects of ascorbic acid and/or betaine on responses of packed cell volume and some productive traits of male Japanese quails during the dry season. A total of 240 (14 day–old) male Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) were purchased. Birds were acclimatized and randomly assigned to 4 groups, each having 60 birds. Each group consisted of 3 replicate (20 birds per replicate). Birds were fed Control (basal); AA, BET and AA + BET diets. Ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH) recorded ranged from 25.0 – 37.0 °C and 48.0 – 92.0%, respectively, and were mostly outside thermoneutral zone for Japanese quails. Production parameters were evaluated as average daily feed intake (AVDFI), average daily water consumption (AVDWC) and liveweight. Packed cell volume (PCV), serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (rGSH) were evaluated at 28, 49 and 70 day–old. Serum MDA, AVDFI and AVDWC were lower (P < 0.05) in birds fed diets enriched with either AA, BET or their combinations when compared with those in control group. However, dietary enrichment with AA ± BET enhances (P < 0.05) PCV and liveweight in male quails in comparism to the control birds. In conclusion, dietary ascorbic acid and betainemodulated packed cell volume and production parameters such as feed and water consumption, as well as, liveweight of male Japanese quails during the dry season