Growth, carcass criteria and blood biochemical parameters of growing quails fed Arthrospira platensis as a feed additive

• Published in: Poultry science Vol. 102; no. 12; p. 103205
• Main Authors: Elzaher, Hagar A. Abd, Ibrahim, Zenat A., Ahmed, Samy A., Salah, Ayman S., Osman, Ali, Swelum, Ayman A., Suliman, Gamaleldin M, Tellez-Isaias, Guillermo, Alagawany, Mahmoud, El-Hack, Mohamed E. Abd
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Inc 01.12.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal Feed - analysis; Animals; antioxidant activity; antioxidant status; Arthrospira platensis; blood metabolites; body weight; Chickens; Coturnix; Diet - veterinary; Dietary Supplements; feed additives; feed conversion; growing quail; growth; immunity; immunoglobulins; lipid composition; Lipids; liver; low density lipoprotein cholesterol; lysozyme; Quail; quails; renal function; growing quail; blood metabolites; growth; Arthrospira platensis; antioxidant status
• ISSN: 0032-5791; 1525-3171; 1525-3171
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103205

This study investigated the impact of Arthrospira platensis (A. platensis) as a dietary supplement on growth, carcass criteria, liver and kidney function, lipid profile, and immunity of growing Japanese quails. In a 28-day experiment, 240 un-sexed 7-day-old quail chicks were used. The quail chicks were divided into four treatment sets, each comprising six replicates and ten quail chicks. Group (1) fed the basal diet with no supplements, group (2) fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.25 g A. platensis /kg diet, group (3) fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.50 g A. platensis /kg diet, and group (4) fed the basal diet supplemented with 1.00 g A. platensis /kg diet. The results of this study revealed that the birds that were fed 0.50 g. or 1.00 g A. platensis kg−1 diet had superior final body weights, body weight gains, feed conversion ratios, and carcass criteria compared to control, furthermore, had significant (p<0.05) lower levels of liver enzymes and kidney function markers compared to control. Furthermore, birds fed 0.50 g or 1.00 g A. platensis kg−1 diet had significantly (p<0.05) reduced cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol levels compared to control. Dietary supplementation of A. platensis at 0.50 and 1.00g/kg diet significantly (p<0.05) increased total antioxidant capacity, total immunoglobulin, and lysozyme activity levels. Using A. platensis at 0.5 or 1 g/kg diet levels during the Japanese quails' growth period can improve growth, carcass criteria, liver and kidney function, lipid profile, and immunity.