Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Vitamin C and E can alleviate negative effects of heat stress in Japanese quails

Author(s):

Kazim Sahin ^1*, Nurhan Sahin ², Muhittin Onderci ³, Mehmet F. Gursu ⁴, Mustafa Issi ⁴

Recieved Date: 2002-09-03, Accepted Date: 2003-01-05

Abstract:

The present study investigates the effects of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and E (α-tocopherol acetate) supplementation on egg production, egg quality, apparent digestibility, serum metabolites, and antioxidant status of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) exposed to a high ambient temperature (33 °C). One hundred and twenty laying Japanese quails (45-d-old) were divided into four groups, 30 birds per group. Quails were fed a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with either 250 mg of L-ascorbic acid/kg of diet, 250 mg of α-tocopherol-acetate/kg of diet, or 250 mg of L-ascorbic acid plus 250 mg α-tocopherol-acetate/kg of diet. Separately or as a combination, supplemental vitamin C and E significantly increased live weight, feed intake and egg production (P < 0.05). Separately, dietary supplementation of vitamin C and E improved the egg quality, and the combination of vitamins C and E resulted in a greatest egg weight, specific gravity and Haugh unit value, thickest egg shell, and heaviest egg shell weight (P < 0.05). Apparent digestibility of nutrients (DM, OM, CP, and EE) was increased by supplementation of vitamin C and E (P < 0.05). Separately or as a combination, supplemental vitamin C and E increased serum concentration of total protein but decreased corticosterone, glucose, and cholesterol concentrations (P < 0.05). Supplemental vitamin C and E also increased serum vitamin C and E but decreased MDA (malondialdehyde) concentrations (P < 0.05). Results of the present study show that dietary supplementation of vitamin C and E, particularly as a combination, improved the performance, egg quality and antioxidant status of laying Japanese quails exposed to heat stress. Such a combination of supplement can offer a potential protective management practice in preventing heat stress-related losses in performance of laying Japanese quails.

Keywords:

Heat stress, vitamin C, vitamin E, egg, digestibility, MDA, quail

---

Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2003
Volume: 1
Issue: 2
Category: Agriculture
Pages: 244-249

---

Full text for Subscribers

---

Information:

Note to users

The requested document is freely available only to subscribers/registered users with an online subscription to the Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment. If you have set up a personal subscription to this title please enter your user name and password. All abstracts are available for free.

Article purchasing

If you like to purchase this specific document such as article, review or this journal issue, contact us. Specify the title of the article or review, issue, number, volume and date of the publication. Software and compilation, Science & Technology, all rights reserved. Your use of this website details or service is governed by terms of use. Authors are invited to check from time to time news or information.

---

Purchase this Article:   20 Purchase PDF Order Reprints for 15

---

Share this article :