Effect of Essential Fatty Acid Proportion in Feed on Productive and Reproductive Performance of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

This investigation was carried out to determine the effect of Essential Fatty Acids proportion (EFAs [n-6, n-3]) in feed through the mixture of soy, olive, canola or chia oil on EFA profile in eggs as well as productive and reproductive performance of Japanese quail. We used 120 quail from 7 to 22 weeks of age, in 15 cages in groups of 6 females and 2 males assigned according to the completely randomized design to 3 treatments with 5 replicates. The treatments were n-6:n-3 proportions 10:1 (control), 4:1 and 1:1. FA profile in yolk, feed intake, laying rate, egg weight, fertility, hatchability, and embryonic mortality were measured. In the egg yolk, n-6 content was similar in the proportions (p>0.05), while n-3 content increased (p 0.01) as n-6:n-3 ratio decreased in the feed. Feed consumption per quail was similar between treatments (p>0.05). In 4:1 and 1:1 proportion laying percentage was greater, but egg weight was lower (p 0.01). Fertility and hatchability were similar between proportions n-6, n-3 (p>0.68). Early and total embryonic mortality was lower in 10:1 and 4:1 proportion (p 0.01); while intermediate and late mortality was similar (p>0.30). The results of the experiment indicate that the mixture of soy, olive, canola or chia oil, to obtain n-6:n-3 proportion of 1:1, 4:1 and 10:1 does not modify feed consumption, laying rate, egg weight, fertility, and hatchability; but, 4:1 and 10:1 proportions favor a lower embryonic mortality.(AU)

Effect of Essential Fatty Acid Proportion in Feed on Productive and Reproductive Performance of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

This investigation was carried out to determine the effect of Essential Fatty Acids proportion (EFAs [n-6, n-3]) in feed through the mixture of soy, olive, canola or chia oil on EFA profile in eggs as well as productive and reproductive performance of Japanese quail. We used 120 quail from 7 to 22 weeks of age, in 15 cages in groups of 6 females and 2 males assigned according to the completely randomized design to 3 treatments with 5 replicates. The treatments were n-6:n-3 proportions 10:1 (control), 4:1 and 1:1. FA profile in yolk, feed intake, laying rate, egg weight, fertility, hatchability, and embryonic mortality were measured. In the egg yolk, n-6 content was similar in the proportions (p>0.05), while n-3 content increased (p 0.01) as n-6:n-3 ratio decreased in the feed. Feed consumption per quail was similar between treatments (p>0.05). In 4:1 and 1:1 proportion laying percentage was greater, but egg weight was lower (p 0.01). Fertility and hatchability were similar between proportions n-6, n-3 (p>0.68). Early and total embryonic mortality was lower in 10:1 and 4:1 proportion (p 0.01); while intermediate and late mortality was similar (p>0.30). The results of the experiment indicate that the mixture of soy, olive, canola or chia oil, to obtain n-6:n-3 proportion of 1:1, 4:1 and 10:1 does not modify feed consumption, laying rate, egg weight, fertility, and hatchability; but, 4:1 and 10:1 proportions favor a lower embryonic mortality.

Desempenho produtivo, perfil de ácidos graxos e qualidade de carne de tilápias do Nilo alimentadas com óleo de soja ou de linhaça

O óleo de linhaça tem se destacado como alimento funcional para humanos, sendo a fonte mais rica de ácido graxo -linolênico. A exigência de -linolênico em dietas de terminação para tilápias do Nilo criadas sob temperatura sub-ótima é maior em comparação aos peixes cultivados sob temperatura ótima. Quatro dietas isentas de farinha de peixe foram formuladas para serem isoproteicas (321,2 g/kg de proteína brua), isocalóricas (17,1 Mcal/kg de energia bruta) e isolipídicas (73,1 g/kg de lipídios totais), contendo duas fontes de óleos vegetais (óleo de soja ou óleo de linhaça) suplementadas em dois níveis (15 ou 30 g / kg). 144 peixes (1076,3 ± 37,2 g) foram distribuídos ao acaso em esquema fatorial 2x2, em 12 gaiolas flutuantes de 1000 L cada, alimentadas manualmente até saciedade aparente, em temperatura de 18 a 24 oC durante 6 semanas. Observou-se maior aumento de peso, consumo de ração e melhor conversão alimentar em peixes alimentados com 30 g kg de óleo de linhaça em comparação com peixes alimentados com 15 e 30 g/kg de óleo de soja. O rendimento de filé foi maior em peixes alimentados com 30 g/kg de óleo de linhaça em relação aos peixes alimentados com 30 g/kg de óleo de soja. Não foram observadas diferenças no peso corporal inicial, índice hepatosomático e composição próxima dos filés. Peixes alimentados com 30 g/kg de óleo de linhaça apresentaram maior teor de 18: 3 n-3 e menor teor de 18:2n-6 nos filés em comparação com peixes alimentados com 15 e 30 g/kg de óleo de soja. As maiores somas de ácidos graxos saturados (SFA), ácidos graxos monoinsaturados (MUFA) e ácidos graxos n-3 foram observados em filés de peixes alimentados com 15 g/kg de óleo de soja. Peixes alimentados com 30 g/kg de óleo de linhaça apresentaram maiores somas de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados (PUFA) e de ácidos graxos n-3 nos filés. Filés de peixes alimentados com óleo de linhaça apresentaram menor relação de ácidos graxos n-6/n-3 em comparação com peixes alimentados com óleo de soja. A cor, capacidade de retenção de água, pH e a dureza dos filés não foram afetados. A adesividade dos filés analisada um e sete dias pós mortem foi maior em peixes alimentados com óleo de linhaça, enquanto observou-se menor mastigabilidade em filés de peixes alimentados com 30 g/kg de óleo de soja e de linhaça em relação aos peixes alimentados com 15 g/kg de óleo de soja e linhaça. Em conclusão, o óleo de linhaça demonstrou ser um alimento funcional como fonte de ácido graxo -linolênico e para aumentar a relação de ácidos graxos n-6/n-3 nos filés. Além disso, recomenda-se 30 g/kg de óleo de linhaça em dietas de terminação para melhorar o desempenho produtivo de tilápias do Nilo criadas sob temperatura sub-ótima.

Linseed oil has emerging as functional food for human being one richest source of -linolenic fatty acid. The requirement of -linolenic in finishing diets for large Nile tilapia reared under suboptimal temperature is found to be higher compared to fish cultivated under optimal temperature. Four fishmeal-free diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (321.2 g/kg of crude protein), isocaloric (17.1 Mcal/kg of gross energy) and isolipidic (73.1 g/kg of total lipids), containing two sources of vegetable oils (soybean oil or linseed oil) supplemented at two levels (15 or 30 g/kg). A hundred and forty-four fish (1076.3 ± 37.2 g) were distributed in a completely randomized in a 2x2 factorial scheme, into twelve 1000 L each floating cage, hand fed until apparent satiety and reared at 18 to 24 oC, during 6 wk. Higher weight gain, feed intake and improved feed conversion ratio were observed in fish fed 30 g/kg of linseed oil compared to fish fed 15 and 30 g/kg of soybean oil. Fillet yield of fish fed 30 g/kg of linseed oil was higher compared to observed in fish fed 30 g/kg of soybean oil. No differences on initial body weight, hepatosomatic index and proximate composition of fillets were observed. Fish fed 30 g/kg of linseed oil showed higher 18:3n-3 and lower 18:2n-6 content in the fillets compared to fish fed 15 and 30 g/kg of soybean oil. Higher sum of saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and n-3 fatty acids were observed in fillets of fish fed 15 g/kg of soybean oil. Fish fed 30 g/kg of linseed oil showed higher sum of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and sum of n-3 fatty acids in the fillets. Fillet of fish fed linseed oil showed lower ratio of n-6/n-3 fatty acids compared to fish fed soybean oil. Color, water holding capacity, pH and hardness of fillets were not affected. The adhesiveness of fillets analyzed at one and seven days post-mortem was increased in fish fed linseed oil, while lower chewiness was observed in fillet of fish fed 30 g/kg of soybean or linseed oil compared to observed in fish fed 15 g/kg of soybean or linseel oil. In conclusion, linseed oil was demonstrated to be functional food as -linolenic source to enhance n-6/n-3 ratio of the fillets. In addition, linseed oil at 30 g/kg is recommended in finishing diets to improve growth performance of large Nile tilapia reared under suboptimal temperature.

Fatty-Acid composition of free-choice starter broiler diets

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the inclusion of vegetable oils with different fatty acid content in starter and pre-starter broiler diets. In Experiment I 480 1- to 9-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were fed diets containing corn oil (CO), acid corn oil (ACO), linseed oil (LO) or coconut fat (CoF). Chicks were distributed according to a factorial 2x2x2arrangement (2 free fatty acids - FFA ) x (2 n6:n3 ratios) x (2 medium-chain fatty acids levels - AGMC). Performance responses and dry matter (DMM), crude protein (CPM), and crude fat (CFM) metabolizability were evaluated. In Experiment II, 480 1- to 20-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were offered the free choice of 2 different diets: with no fat addition, or with 10% addition of the following fat sources: CO, LO, CoF, soybean soapstock (SBS), acid soybean oil (ASO), or acid cottonseed oil (ACtO). Performance responses and diet selection were evaluated. In experiment I, there were no significant effects of the diets on performance, DMM, or CPM; however, the inclusion of FFA depressed CFM. In experiment II, there was a marked preference of birds of the diets with fat inclusion, leading to the selection of diets with more than 3100 kcal/kg ME in the period of 1 to 20 days, independently of fat source. The broilers selected the high fat and energy diets since the first days of age, which resulted in better bird performance.

Fatty-Acid composition of free-choice starter broiler diets

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the inclusion of vegetable oils with different fatty acid content in starter and pre-starter broiler diets. In Experiment I 480 1- to 9-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were fed diets containing corn oil (CO), acid corn oil (ACO), linseed oil (LO) or coconut fat (CoF). Chicks were distributed according to a factorial 2x2x2arrangement (2 free fatty acids - FFA ) x (2 n6:n3 ratios) x (2 medium-chain fatty acids levels - AGMC). Performance responses and dry matter (DMM), crude protein (CPM), and crude fat (CFM) metabolizability were evaluated. In Experiment II, 480 1- to 20-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were offered the free choice of 2 different diets: with no fat addition, or with 10% addition of the following fat sources: CO, LO, CoF, soybean soapstock (SBS), acid soybean oil (ASO), or acid cottonseed oil (ACtO). Performance responses and diet selection were evaluated. In experiment I, there were no significant effects of the diets on performance, DMM, or CPM; however, the inclusion of FFA depressed CFM. In experiment II, there was a marked preference of birds of the diets with fat inclusion, leading to the selection of diets with more than 3100 kcal/kg ME in the period of 1 to 20 days, independently of fat source. The broilers selected the high fat and energy diets since the first days of age, which resulted in better bird performance.