Vitamin E and selenium supplementation to alleviate cold-stress-associated deterioration in egg quality and egg yolk mineral concentrations of Japanese quails.
The effects of vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) and selenium (Se; Na2-SeO3) on egg production, egg quality, and mineral content of egg yolk in Japanese quails reared under a low ambient temperature (6 degrees C) were evaluated. Birds (n=300; 7 wk old) were randomly assigned to 12 treatment groups, 25 birds per group. The birds in a 3 x 2 factorial design received either three levels of vitamin E (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg diet) or two levels of selenium (0.1 or 0.2 mg/kg diet). After 2 wk on feed, six groups of the birds were maintained at 18 degrees C (thermoneutral temperature [TN]), and the other half were acclimated over 3 d to a decreased environmental temperature of 6 degrees C (cold stress [CS]). The performance, egg quality, and mineral content of egg yolk were not influenced by supplemental vitamin E and selenium in quails not exposed to cold stress (p > or = 0.09). Two hundred fifty and 500 mg vitamin E/kg diet compared with 125 mg/kg diet and higher dietary selenium inclusions (0.2 vs 0.1 mg/kg) resulted in a better body weight, egg production, and feed efficiency (p = 0.01) in quails reared under CS. Similarly, egg weight, egg specific gravity, eggshell thickness, and Haugh unit were positively influenced with vitamin E (p = 0.01) and selenium (p < or = 0.05) supplementation. Egg yolk concentrations of Zn, Fe, and Mn were higher with higher dietary vitamin E (p = 0.01) and selenium (p = 0.05). There was no interaction detected for parameters measured in the present study (p > or = 0.3). The results of the present study showed that a combination of 250 or 500 mg vitamin E and 0.2 mg selenium per kilogram of diet provides the greatest effects on performance and egg quality of Japanese quails reared under cold stress and suggest that such a supplementation can be considered as a protective management practice in Japanese quail diets to reduce the detrimental effects of cold stress.
Sahin
Nurhan
N
Veterinary Control and Research Institute, 23100 Elazig, Turkey.
Sahin
Kazim
K
Onderci
Muhittin
M
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003370:Coturnix; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004530:Egg Yolk / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis*; D010063:Ovum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D011786:Quality Control; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D008903:Minerals; D014810:Vitamin E; D012643:Selenium