Effects of vitamin C and vitamin E on lipid peroxidation status, serum hormone, metabolite, and mineral concentrations of Japanese quails reared under heat stress (34 degrees C).
This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol acetate) on lipid peroxidation status measured as MDA and serum triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), as well as some other serum metabolite and mineral concentrations of Japanese quails reared under heat stress (34 degrees C). One hundred-eighty 10-day-old Japanese quails were randomly assigned to six treatment groups, three replicates of 10 birds each. Using a 2 x 3 factorial design, the birds received two levels of vitamin C (100 and 200 mg/kg of diet) or three levels of vitamin E (125, 250, or 500 mg/kg of diet). Greater dietary vitamin E and vitamin C resulted in a greater serum T3, T4, and TSH (p = 0.001), but lower ACTH (p = 0.001) concentrations. Serum concentrations of T4 and TSH increased to a greater extent by increasing dietary vitamin C when greater vitamin E levels were fed (interaction, p = 0.001). Serum glucose, urea, triglycerides, and cholesterol concentrations decreased (p = 0.001), while protein and albumin concentrations increased (p = 0.001) when both dietary vitamin C and vitamin E were increased. Serum activities of SGOT and SGPT were not influenced by dietary vitamin C and vitamin E (p > 0.43). However, serum activity of AP increased (p = 0.001) by increasing both dietary vitamin C and vitamin E. Increasing both dietary vitamin C and vitamin E caused an increase in serum concentrations of Ca, P, K (p = 0.001), Fe, and Zn (p = 0.01) but a decrease in serum concentrations of Na (p = 0.001) and Cu (p = 0.01). Interactions between vitamin C and vitamin E were detected for Ca, P, Na, and K (p = 0.001). Greater dietary vitamin C and vitamin E resulted in a greater serum and liver vitamin E, C, and A (p < or = 0.05), but lower MDA (p = 0.001) concentrations. Results of the present study conclude that supplementing a combination of dietary vitamin C (200 mg) and vitamin E (250-500 mg) offers a good management practice to reduce heat stress-related decreases in performance of Japanese quails.
Sahin
Kazim
K
Department of Animal Nutrition, Veterinary Faculty, University of Firat, 23119 Elazig, Turkey.
Kucuk
Osman
O
Sahin
Nurhan
N
Sari
Mustafa
M
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D003370:Coturnix; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006358:Hot Temperature; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D008903:Minerals; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D014810:Vitamin E; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D013974:Thyroxine