Dietary supplementation with canthaxanthin and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol on the incubation performance and fertility of European quail breeders.

This study assessed the effects of combined supplementation with canthaxanthin (Cx) and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) on incubation performance, fertility, and chick quality in European quail breeders. A total of 240 birds were distributed in a completely randomized design with 5 diets and 8 replicates. The animals were fed a basal diet containing 50 µg of vitamin D3 or the basal diet supplemented with 3 ppm Cx and 34.5 µg 25-OH-D3, 6 ppm Cx, and 69 µg 25-OH-D3, 9 ppm Cx and 103.5 µg 25-OH-D3, or 12 ppm Cx and 138 µg 25-OH-D3. Incubation performance was analyzed in 2 periods (32 and 38 wk). Breeders aged 32 wk produced eggs with higher hatchability (P = 0.024), hatchability of fertile eggs (P = 0.026) and lower initial plus mid embryonic mortality (P = 0.021), whereas 38-week-old breeders generated chicks with a higher length at hatching (P < 0.001) and lower final plus pipped embryonic mortality (P = 0.021). In both age groups, Cx + 25-OH-D3 levels had a quadratic effect on egg fertility (P < 0.001), hatchability of total (P < 0.001), and fertile eggs (P < 0.001). The fertility and the number of sperm cells in the perivitelline membrane was analyzed in two periods (26 and 40 wk). A quadratic effect of diet and days after mating on both parameters (P < 0.05) was observed. Eggs from supplementing breeders showed a high fertility (P < 0.001) and sperm cell counts (P < 0.001) for up to 7 and 3 d after mating, respectively, then the control group. Moreover, the supplementation of quail breeder diets with 6 ppm Cx + 69 µg 25-OH-D3 enhances sperm cell longevity in sperm storage tubules, hatchability of total and fertile eggs, fertility, and chick quality, especially in older quail's breeders and reduces embryonic mortality.

Dietary supplementation with canthaxanthin and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol has beneficial effects on bone and oxidative metabolism in European quail breeders.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of supplementation with canthaxanthin (Cx) and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) on the production performance, egg quality, bone mineral content, blood biochemical parameters, and antioxidant status of European quail breeders. Two hundred and forty quail breeders were distributed in a completely randomized design with 5 diets and 8 replicates of 4 females and 2 males were used. All quail breeders received one of 5 diets: basal diet (containing 2,000 IU vitamin D3) or the same diet supplemented with 3 ppm Cx and 34.5 µg 25-OH-D3, 6 ppm Cx and 69 µg 25-OH-D3, 9 ppm Cx and 103.5 µg 25-OH-D3, or 12 ppm Cx and 138 µg 25-OH-D3. Production performance and internal and external egg quality parameters were not influenced by diet. Eggshell dry weight decreased linearly with increasing supplementation levels, and eggshell ash and calcium content increased quadratically. Plasma phosphorus, calcium, and ionic calcium levels in females and plasma ionic calcium levels in males showed a positive quadratic response to dietary supplementation. Femoral and tibiotarsal dry weight and calcium content were influenced by diet. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity in the liver of males and females and in the serum of females showed a positive quadratic relationship with Cx and 25-OH-D3 levels, whereas the malonaldehyde concentration showed a negative quadratic relationship. DPPH scavenging activity in the serum of male quail increased linearly with supplementation. There was a positive quadratic effect on superoxide dismutase gene expression and a positive linear effect on glutathione peroxidase 7 gene expression, suggesting that dietary enrichment with Cx and 25-OH-D3 might help protect spermatozoa against oxidative damage. The dietary supplement was pro-oxidative at high concentrations (above 9 ppm Cx). The results indicate that diets with adequate levels of Cx and 25-OH-D3 have a beneficial effect on calcium and phosphorus metabolism as well as on the antioxidant defense system. We recommend supplementing European quail breeders in the laying period with 6 ppm Cx and 69 µg 25-OH-D3.

SID tryptophan levels and B6 vitamin supplementation do not change blood parameters, organ weights, carcass traits, and meat quality of barrows (70-100kg).

This study evaluated the effects of standardized ileal digestible (SID) tryptophan and B6 on blood parameters, organ weights, carcass traits, and longissimus lumborum quality of barrows (70-100kg). Sixty-four crossbred barrows averaging 70.77±2.07kg were distributed in a 4×2 factorial with four SID tryptophan levels (0.130, 0.155, 0.180, and 0.205%) and two B6 levels (1 and 5mg/kg) in eight replicates of one animal each. The meat lightness degree answered linearly (P=0.015) to SID tryptophan levels and the shear force answered quadratically (P=0.050), with estimates of a higher value (31.67N) at 0.163% SID tryptophan. Although B6 showed positive effects (P<0.05) on hot and cold carcass yields and pH24, it resulted in a negative effect (P<0.05) on ham weight and yield, and increased the drip loss and cooking fluid. The dietary SID tryptophan requirement for barrows (70-100kg) was not higher than 0.130% (4.07g/day) and did not change due to B6.