Composite estimation to combine spatially overlapping environmental monitoring surveys.

Long-term environmental monitoring surveys are designed to achieve a desired precision (measured by variance) of resource conditions based on natural variability information. Over time, increases in resource variability and in data use to address issues focused on small areas with limited sample sizes require bolstering of attainable precision. It is often prohibitive to do this by increasing sampling effort. In cases with spatially overlapping monitoring surveys, composite estimation offers a statistical way to obtain a precision-weighted combination of survey estimates to provide improved population estimates (more accurate) with improved precisions (lower variances). We present a composite estimator for overlapping surveys, a summary of compositing procedures, and a case study to illustrate the procedures and benefits of composite estimation. The study uses the two terrestrial monitoring surveys administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that entirely overlap. Using 2015-18 data and 13 land-health indicators, we obtained and compared survey and composite indicator estimates of percent area meeting land-health standards for sagebrush communities in Wyoming's Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) Core and NonCore conservation areas on BLM-managed lands. We statistically assessed differences in indicator estimates between the conservation areas using composite estimates and estimates of the two surveys individually. We found composite variance to be about six to 24 units lower than 37% of the survey variances and composite estimates to differ by about six to 10 percentage points from six survey estimates. The composite improvements resulted in finding 11 indicators to statistically differ (p <0.05) between the conservation areas compared to only six and seven indicators for the individual surveys. Overall, we found composite estimation to be an efficient and useful option for improving environmental monitoring information where two surveys entirely overlap and suggest how this estimation method could be beneficial where environmental surveys partially overlap and in small area applications.

The incorporation of sumac seed powder (Rhus coriaria L.) into the diet of quail breeders as a novel feed additive.

A total of 150 adult quails, aged 8 wk, were divided into 5 groups to study the effect of sumac seed powder on reproductive and productive parameters, egg quality, digestive enzymes, and quail breeders' blood profiles. Dietary supplements containing sumac powder were formulated as follows: group 1 (G1) (control, only basal diet); group 2 (G2) (basal diet + 1 g sumac powder/kg diet); group 3 (G3) (basal diet + 2 g sumac powder/kg diet); group 4 (G4) (basal diet + 3 g sumac powder/kg diet); and group 5 (G5) (basal diet + 4 g sumac powder/kg diet). The feed conversion ratio was significantly higher at all levels of sumac powder (P < 0.05) compared to the control group (G1). Overall, during the study (8-16 wk), quail-fed 3 g sumac powder/kg diet (G4) showed no significant increase (P > 0.05) in the feed intake compared to the control group. Sumac powder supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) increased egg number, egg weight, egg mass, fertility, and hatchability. While supplementing with sumac powder did not impact other egg quality parameters, it did significantly (P < 0.05) increase yolk percentage, Haugh unit, and unit surface shell weight. Furthermore, when compared to the control group (G1), birds given 2, 3, or 4 g of sumac powder/kg diet showed a significant improvement (P < 0.05) in hematological parameters such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and hemoglobin, as well as a decrease in glucose levels. Feeding quail with a 3 g sumac powder/kg diet (G4) resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) higher globulin levels and improved albumin/globulin ratio compared to other treatments and control (G1). Sumac powder intake significantly (P < 0.05) reduced plasma lipid profile, liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase), and kidney functions (creatinine, and urea). Furthermore, the supplementation of sumac powder resulted in a substantial increase (P < 0.05) in the levels of amylase, lipase, and protease. Sumac powder administration also significantly (P < 0.05) improves immunity by boosting IgM, IgG, IgA, and lysozyme levels in quail breeders' plasma. Supplementing with sumac powder, on the other hand, increased levels of reduced glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. The results of the current study indicated that the addition of 1, 2, 3, and 4 g of sumac powder to the diet of Japanese quail breeders led to improvements in egg quality, digestive enzymes, reproductive and productive performances, and most blood hematological and biochemical parameters.

Dietary supplementation with mushroom powder (Agaricus bisporus) on performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and bone biomechanical properties of quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

This study was performed to determine the effect of mushroom powder (MP) (Agaricus bisporus) supplementation on growing Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A total of 300 unsexed 1-day-old Japanese quails with similar body weights (8.38 ± 0.2 g) were randomly assigned to five treatment groups with six replications. Additions of 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, or 1.00% of MP to the basal diet were used to develop the treatment groups. Quails were fed ad libitum for 42 days. At the end of the experiment, 12 quails from each experimental unit were euthanised to determine performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and bone biochemical properties. Results showed that all dietary MP did not negatively affect any performance parameters (P > 0.05), while by the third week of life, there was an increase (P < 0.05) in body weight and body weight gain in the quails of the 0.75% MP group compared to the control group. Nevertheless, these differences disappeared at the end of the trial (P > 0.05). No differences were observed (P > 0.05) for any of the studied carcass traits, except for the pancreas weight which decreased (P < 0.05) with the addition of high MP (1.00%). Regarding meat quality, all color parameters were affected on the fifth day of sampling (P < 0.05) but not on the first day (P > 0.05). It was detected that the breast of the quails in group 0.75% MP had the highest L* value and the lowest a* value. While the breast of the 1.00% MP group had the highest b value and the lowest pH value. Dietary MP enhanced oxidative stability, reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) value in the breast compared to the control at both sampling points (P < 0.01), being more noted on the fifth day of sampling. Bone biomechanical properties (in terms of shear force or shear stress) were improved (P < 0.01) with the dietary addition of MP at 0.75% compared to the control. It can be suggested that MP is a secure ingredient in animal feed without negatively affecting performance parameters, carcass traits, or meat quality. Therefore, including an interval of 0.50-0.75% of MP in the diet of growing quails could be a suitable strategy to improve certain parameters such as the meat's oxidative stability and the bone's biomechanical parameters. Moreover, the efficacy of MP on performance development would be greater during the first weeks of the quails' life due to their intestinal conditions at this stage.

Effects of varying dietary microalgae levels on performance, egg quality, fertility, and blood biochemical parameters of laying Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix Japonica).

This experiment was carried out to investigate the nutritional value of Spirulina and Dunaliella (SD) combination levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 g/kg) that affected the laying Japanese quail's efficiency, egg quality, fertility, and blood biological indicators. A total of 150 adult Japanese quails, aged 8 wk, were divided into 5 treatments at random, each consisting of 30 quails. There were 5 duplicates for every treatment, with 2 male and 4 female quails in each. Comparing the addition of various concentrations of a mixture of SD to the control treatment, the results showed no substantial rise in egg production, egg weight, or egg mass. When compared to the control group, final body weight (FBW) was improved with SD supplementation. The quails in control consumed more feed intake (FI) (p < 0.05), and they were different from the groups who got SD therapy in that they had a regular feed conversion ratio (FCR). The percentages of hatchability and fertility increased when SD was added to quail meals at up to 1.00 g/kg. When compared to the control quail, the quail supplemented with SD levels showed a non-significant rise in albumin%, yolk%, Haugh unit, and unit surface shell weight (USSW), as well as an increase in eggshell percentage and a drop in egg shape index (p < 0.05). Renal and hepatic enzyme functioning improved when SD was added to the diets. Additionally, lipid profile indicators were reduced by SD supplementation (except low-density lipoprotein-LDL). Moreover, compared to the control, incorporating SD led to a nonsignificant rise in immunoglobulin concentrations (IgG and IgM). In conclusion, adding SD to the diet can improve body weight, lipid profile, immunological response, and liver and kidney functions in Japanese quail.

The dynamic landscape of chromatin accessibility and active regulatory elements in the mediobasal hypothalamus influences the seasonal activation of the reproductive axis in the male quail under long light exposure.

BACKGROUND: In cold and temperate zones, seasonal reproduction plays a crucial role in the survival and reproductive success of species. The photoperiod influences reproductive processes in seasonal breeders through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, in which the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) serves as the central region responsible for transmitting light information to the endocrine system. However, the cis-regulatory elements and the transcriptional activation mechanisms related to seasonal activation of the reproductive axis in MBH remain largely unclear. In this study, an artificial photoperiod program was used to induce the HPG axis activation in male quails, and we compared changes in chromatin accessibility changes during the seasonal activation of the HPG axis. RESULTS: Alterations in chromatin accessibility occurred in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) and stabilized at LD7 during the activation of the HPG axis. Most open chromatin regions (OCRs) are enriched mainly in introns and distal intergenic regions. The differentially accessible regions (DARs) showed enrichment of binding motifs of the RFX, NKX, and MEF family of transcription factors that gained-loss accessibility under long-day conditions, while the binding motifs of the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily and BZIP family gained-open accessibility. Retinoic acid signaling and GTPase-mediated signal transduction are involved in adaptation to long days and maintenance of the HPG axis activation. According to our footprint analysis, three clock-output genes (TEF, DBP, and HLF) and the THRA were the first responders to long days in LD3. THRB, NR3C2, AR, and NR3C1 are the key players associated with the initiation and maintenance of the activation of the HPG axis, which appeared at LD7 and tended to be stable under long-day conditions. By integrating chromatin and the transcriptome, three genes (DIO2, SLC16A2, and PDE6H) involved in thyroid hormone signaling showed differential chromatin accessibility and expression levels during the seasonal activation of the HPG axis. TRPA1, a target of THRB identified by DAP-seq, was sensitive to photoactivation and exhibited differential expression levels between short- and long-day conditions. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that trans effects were the main factors affecting gene expression during the seasonal activation of the HPG axis. This study could lead to further research on the seasonal reproductive behavior of birds, particularly the role of MBH in controlling seasonal reproductive behavior.

Effects of varying levels of Cynara scolymus powder on growth performance, carcass characteristics, intestinal microbiota, immune and haemato-biochemical parameters in female quails.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of varying levels of dietary Cynara scolymus (CS) powder on growth performance, carcass characteristics, intestinal microbiota, immune and haemato-biochemical parameters in female quails. A total of 120-day-old female quails used for the research were divided into 3 treatment groups: 0% CS, 0.75% CS and 1.50% CS having 4 replicates (n = 10). Blood samples collected were analyzed for differential leukocyte count, red blood cell count and its indices, uric acid, lipid profile, liver enzymes, calcium, phosphorous, creatinine, thyroid hormone, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and antibody titres. Quails were euthanized for evaluation of carcass and microbial bacteria and sensory characteristics of the breast and thigh meat. Supplementation of CS at 0.75% and 1.50% increased (P < 0.05) wing, drumstick, ileum, jejunum and spleen lengths, high-density lipoprotein, and decreased (P < 0.05) low-density lipoprotein: high-density lipoprotein ratio. Diets supplemented with 0.75% CS increased (P < 0.05) albumin while 1.50% decreased (P < 0.05) abdominal fat and increased (P < 0.05) corpuscular volume, red blood cell count, lactobacillus population, and color of thigh meat. Both CS levels (0.75% and 1.50%) may improve intestinal morphology, quality of meat, immunity, erythropoiesis, intestinal microbial population, and decrease bad cholesterol in quails.

The potential of Spirulina platensis to substitute antibiotics in Japanese quail diets: impacts on growth, carcass traits, antioxidant status, blood biochemical parameters, and cecal microorganisms.

The development of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms prompted the investigation of possible antibiotic substitutes. As a result, the purpose of the current study is to assess the effect of dietary Spirulina platensis extract as an antibiotic alternative on Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) growth, antioxidant status, blood parameters, and cecal microorganisms. There was a total of 150 Japanese quails used in this study, divided equally among 5 experimental groups (10 birds per group with 3 replicates): group 1 (G1) received a basal diet without any S. platensis extract, group 2 (G2) received a basal diet supplemented with 1 mL S. platensis extract/kg, group 3 (G3) received a basal diet supplemented with 2 mL S. platensis extract/kg, group 4 (G4) received a basal diet supplemented with 3 mL S. platensis extract/kg, and group 5 (G5) received a basal diet supplemented with 4 mL S. platensis extract/kg from d 7 until d 35. The results showed that compared to the control birds in G1, Japanese quail supplemented with 4 mL of S. platensis extract/kg of diet (G5) had significantly better live body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, digestive enzymes, blood parameters, liver and kidney functions, lipid profile, antioxidant profile, immunological parameters, and cecal microorganism's count. There were no significant changes in the percentage of carcasses, liver, and total giblets among all the 5 groups. Only gizzard percentage showed a significant increase in G2 compared to birds in G1. In addition, intestinal pH showed a significant drop in G2 and G5 compared to birds in G1. After cooking the quail meat, the juiciness and tenderness increased as S. platensis extract levels increased, whereas aroma and taste declined slightly as S. platensis extract levels increased. Furthermore, when a high concentration of S. platensis extract was used, the lightness of the meat reduced while its redness and yellowness increased. The disk diffusion assay showed that S. platensis extract had significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, and Salmonella typhi, with inhibition zones ranging from 16 to 42 mm. This activity may be attributable to the volatile chemicals in S. platensis extract, of which Geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol are the primary components. In the diet of Japanese quails, it is possible to draw the conclusion that the extract of S. platensis can be utilized as a feed additive and as an alternative to antibiotics.

Regression-derived optimal milk thistle in growing quail's diet.

A study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional benefits of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) in quail nutrition as an additive containing antioxidant compounds such as silymarin. A total of 300, 14-d old Japanese quail chicks were randomly allotted to 5 treatments with 6 replicates and 10 birds each. The experimental diets, including a basal diet and 4 diets containing 10, 20, 30, and 40 g/kg milk thistle, were used from d 14 to 35 and spline and segmented models were applied to fit data. The optimized values of dietary milk thistle (breakpoints) for optimum amounts of serum albumin (ALB), total protein (TP), glucose (Glu), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), and water holding capacity (WHC) in meat samples, as predicted by the regression models, were 24.14, 20.00, 20.00, 24.50, 20.00, 10.43, 23.75, and 25.85 g/kg of diet, respectively, based on maximum R2 and minimum Sy.x. While the breakpoints for minimum cooking loss, drip loss, malondialdehyde after 10 and 30 d (MDA10 and MDA30), triglyceride (TG), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cholesterol (CHOL), uric acid (UA), and creatinine (CRT) were 27.00, 15.82, 15.78, 33.09, 27.39, 17.99, 20.00, 20.00, 20.90, and 32.57 g/kg of diet, respectively. The use of spline models revealed an objective estimate of the optimal amounts of milk thistle for optimizing physiological responses in growing quails. The present analysis showed that higher dietary levels of milk thistle were needed for optimizing meat quality compared to other physiological responses.

Vitamin C and/or garlic can antagonize the toxic effects of cadmium on growth performance, hematological, and immunological parameters of growing Japanese quail.

This study used 300 1-day-old, sexless, developing chicks of Japanese quail to estimate the ability of vitamin C and/or garlic to antagonize the venomous influence of cadmium (Cd) on the hematological, immunological, and performance characteristics of developing Japanese quail. The quail was separated into 5 similar groups of 60 chicks apiece, and 6 duplicates (10 each) were given to each sub-group. The control group received a basal diet without any supplements. The Cd group was nourished with a basal diet of + 80 mg cadmium chloride (CdCl2)/kg diet. The 3rd group was fed a basal diet + 80 mg CdCl2/kg diet and complemented with a 200 mg Vitamin C (Cd + C)/kg diet. The 4th group was nourished with a basal diet + 80 mg CdCl2/kg diet and complemented by a 500 mg dried garlic powder (Cd + G)/kg diet. The 5th group was fed a basal diet + 80 mg CdCl2/kg diet, complemented by a 200 mg vitamin C/kg diet + 500 mg dried garlic powder (Cd + CG)/kg diet. Results showed that in the 5th group in which cadmium was added together with Vit C + garlic, there was an improvement in both live weight gain (1-42 d) and feed consumption (1-21 and 1-42 d ) compared to the group in which Cd was added alone. The addition of Vit C alone and together with garlic seems to completely improve the cadmium-related increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels when compared to the control. Compared to cadmium-polluted diets, quail that got cadmium and feed additives significantly reduced cadmium residue. In addition, the cadmium group's serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) level decreased significantly. These data imply that dietary supplementation with (C) or (G) may be beneficial in retrogressing the drop in immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM caused by Cd and minimizing Cd's deleterious influence on immunity.

Effect of citrus peeling (Citrus sinensis) on production performance, humoral immunity, nutrients, and energy utilization of broiler quails.

Citrus citrus peeling has a wide range of vitamins and trace minerals that have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It is hypothesized that the addition of citrus peeling to broiler quail diets can improve their production performance, humoral immunity, nutrients, and energy utilization. A trial was performed to study the impact of a methanolic extract of citrus peeling (Citrus sinensis) on production performance, humoral immunity, nutrients, and energy utilization of broiler quails. A healthy day-old 300 quails were randomly assigned with 5 replicates each replicate had 15 birds and used CRD for the trial. Different dietary supplementations were presented to different groups. The control group was not supplemented with any supplementation in their feed. While, the 3 other groups were supplemented by 0.5 mL/kg, 1 mL/kg, and 1.5 mL/kg of methanolic extract of dried Citrus sinensis peel (DCSP) in the basal diet (DCSP0.5, DCSP1, and DCSP1.5 groups, respectively). All the birds were allowed ad libitum feeding and water. The feed intake and FCR were significantly higher in the control group, followed by DCSP0.5, and then DCSP1. The significantly lowest feed intake and FCR were observed in the DCSP1.5 group. The weight gain and dressing % were significantly improved with the increasing level of methanolic extract of Citrus sinensis. The significantly highest weights of thymus, spleen, and bursa were recorded in the DCSP1.5 group, followed by the DCSP1. The antibody titers against infectious bursal disease, New Castle disease, and infectious bronchitis disease were significantly higher in the DCSP1.5, DCSP1, and DCSP0.5 groups than in the control group. It was concluded from the study that supplementation of quails with methanolic extract of citrus at a dose rate of 0.5 to 1.5 mL/kg of feed can improve feed intake, weight gain, FCR, dressing percentage, relative weight of lymphoid organs, and digestibility coefficient. Supplementation of Citrus sinensis has also concluded positive impacts on antibody titers against various viral diseases. The best improvement in the evaluated parameters was observed at a dose of extract of citrus was 1.5 mL/kg of feed.

Improving performance, reproduction, and immunity in laying Japanese quail with algal derivatives.

We investigated the effect of the Persian Gulf algae derivatives, namely phycocyanin (PC) and fucoidan (FUC), on the performance, reproductive traits, and immune responses of laying Japanese quails. A completely randomized design was used to distribute 250 six-wk-old Japanese quails with an average body weight of 215 ± 10 g into 5 treatments, 5 replicates, and 10 birds in each replicate over a 5-wk period. Unlike the control groups, the treatment groups received drinking water supplemented with PC and FUC at concentrations of 20 or 40 mg/L, denoted as PC20, PC40, FUC20, and FUC40, respectively, while all birds were provided with identical feed. Supplemental algal derivatives notably improved hen day egg production (HDEP), egg mass, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Incorporating PC and FUC had no significant effect on the weight of males' testes or the weight and length of hens' oviducts. Additionally, the experimental treatments had no impact on the chicks' hatching weight. The supplementation of PC and FUC resulted in increased fertility (P = 0.038) and hatchability (P < 0.001) rates, with the exception of fertility in the PC40 group. The effect of the experimental treatments on immune responses was largely not statistically significant, except in the case of ND. Specifically, the experimental treatments resulted in increased (P = 0.033) antibody titers against ND when compared to the control group, with the exception of FUC20. Supplemental algal derivatives significantly (P < 0.01) reduced total cholesterol, creatinine, and triglycerides (except in the case of PC20). Overall, these findings underscore the potential of algal derivatives to enhance quail performance, reproductive traits, and immune responses.

Yucca schidigera Extract Mitigates the Oxidative Damages, Inflammation, and Neurochemical Impairments in the Brains of Quails Exposed to Lead.

The present study explored the neurotoxic impacts of lead (Pb) and the potential alleviating effect of Yucca schidigera extract (YSE) in Japanese quails. About 360 adult Japanese quails (8 weeks old) were used. Quails were randomly distributed to six groups with 4 replicates each: the control group (fed basal diet, BD), the BD + YSE1 and BD + YSE2 groups (BD + 100 and 200 mg/kg diet of YSE, respectively), the Pb group (BD + 100 mg/kg Pb), and the Pb + YSE1 and Pb + YSE2 groups (BD + Pb + 100 and 200 mg/kg YSE, respectively). This feeding trial lasted for 8 weeks. The exposure to Pb in the diet induced oxidative damage stress in the brain of exposed quails reflected by the significant increase in the oxidative markers including malonaldehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) and the significant reduction in the activities of antioxidants including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the reduced glutathione (GSH). Brain neurochemistry and enzyme activities were also altered following Pb exposure. Pb significantly reduced serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, GABA, Ach, and Na + /K + -ATPase activities. Pb dietary intoxication markedly increased brain inflammatory biomarkers, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), myeloperoxidase, and nitric oxide. Peripherally, Pb toxicity decreased the amino acid neurotransmitters (glutamic acid, glycine, and aspartic acid) in the serum of birds. At the transcriptomic level, Pb exposure upregulated the transcription patterns of CASP3, TNF-α, HSP70, and IL-1ß. The single effect of YSE maintained that all the assessed parameters were not changed compared to the control. Interestingly, the YSE co-supplementation with Pb alleviated the Pb-induced neuro-oxidative damages by lowering the lipid, protein, and DNA damage, and the inflammatory biomarkers.

The ROS/SIRT1/STAR axis as a target for melatonin ameliorating atrazine-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and steroid disorders in granulosa cells.

The granulosa cells (GCs) of birds are essential for the reproduction and maintenance of populations in nature. Atrazine (ATR) is a potent endocrine disruptor that can interfere with reproductive function in females and Diaminochlorotriazine (DACT) is the primary metabolite of ATR in the organism. Melatonin (MT) is an endogenous hormone with antioxidant properties that plays a crucial role in development of animal germ cells. However, how ATR causes mitochondrial dysfunction, abnormal secretion of steroid hormones, and whether MT prevents ATR-induced female reproductive toxicity remains unclear. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the protective effect of MT against ATR-induced female reproduction. In the present study, the GCs of quail were divided into 6 groups, as follows: C (Serum-free medium), MT (10 µM MT), A250 (250 µM ATR), MA250 (10 µM MT+250 µM ATR), D200 (200 µM DACT) and MD200 (10 µM MT+200 µM DACT), and were cultured for 24 h. The results revealed that ATR prevented GCs proliferation and decreased cell differentiation. ATR caused oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to disruption of steroid synthesis, which posed a severe risk to GC's function. However, MT supplements reversed these changes. Mechanistically, our study exhibited that the ROS/SIRT1/STAR axis as a target for MT to ameliorate ATR-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and steroid disorders in GCs, which provides new insights into the role of MT in ATR-induced reproductive capacity and species conservation in birds.

Curcumin improves the egg quality, antioxidant activity, and intestinal microbiota of quails during the late laying period.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary curcumin supplementation on laying performance, egg quality, egg metabolites, lipid metabolism, antioxidant activity, and intestinal microbial composition of quails in the late laying period. A total of 960 late-laying quails (240-day-old) were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 replicates each (n = 40/replicate). The experimental diets of the 4 groups consisted of basal diets supplemented with 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg curcumin, respectively. The feeding experiment lasted for 8 wk. The results showed that 200 mg/kg curcumin supplementation decreased mortality and increased eggshell thickness and strength compared with the 0 mg/kg curcumin supplementation during wk 5 to 8. In addition, dietary supplementation of curcumin promoted lipid metabolism, enhanced antioxidant activity, and modified intestinal microbiota structure. In conclusion, dietary supplemented with 200 mg/kg curcumin significantly improved the egg quality of quails in the late laying period, primarily by improving lipid metabolism and selectively regulating the intestinal microbial community.

The antioxidative influence of dietary creatine monohydrate and L-carnitine on laying performance, egg quality, ileal microbiota, blood biochemistry, and redox status of stressed laying quails.

The experiment was implemented to assess the influence of dietary supplementation of laying quails with creatine monohydrate (CrM), L-carnitine (CAR) and their mixture (CrMCAR) as antioxidants against oxidative stress (OS) induced by 2.5 ppm lead acetate (LA) in drinking water on productive, physiological and microbial aspects. In total, 400 laying quail females at 10 wk of age were divided into a randomized design with 5 groups and 4 replicates of 20 birds each. Birds were fed ad libitum with a balanced diet for 8 wk. The control group was kept under no-stress conditions and was given fresh water without any additives (G1). While birds in other groups were exposed to OS induced experimentally by 2.5 ppm LA in drinking water with no feed additive (G2) or supplemented with 500 mg/kg CrM (G3) or 500 mg/kg CAR (G4) or combination of 250 mg/kg each of CrM and CAR (CrMCAR, G5) to feed mixture. Compared to G2, G5 demonstrated the reduction (P ≤ 0.05) of feed conversion ratio, feed intake, mortality and ileal total coliform, as well as serum and egg malondialdehyde and serum lipid hydroperoxide, uric acid, glucose, cholesterol, enzymatic activities (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, creatine phosphokinase, γ-glutamyl transferase), and heterophils/lymphocytes ratio. In the meanwhile, there was an increase (P ≤ 0.05) in egg production, egg mass, and weight with the improvement of egg quality, serum sex hormones level and ileal lactic acid bacteria for G5 followed by G4 and G3. Moreover, G5 enhanced (P ≤ 0.05), the total antioxidant capacity of egg and serum glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, protein and calcium levels. Therefore, dietary CrMCAR, CAR and CrM have analogous influence to control by improving the antioxidant and physiological parameters which resulted in better productive performance and egg characteristics of stressed quails. These antioxidants, especially in their equal combination, are beneficial to alleviate oxidative stress incidence and can be recommended for poultry feeding under various aspects of environmental stresses.

Antimicrobial Cyclic Dipeptides from Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) Eggs Supplemented with Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum.

Fifteen cyclic dipeptides (CDPs) containing proline, one cyclo(Phe-Ala) without proline, and a non-peptidyl DL-3-phenyllactic acid were previously identified in the culture filtrates of Lactobacillus plantarum LBP-K10, an isolate from kimchi. In this study, we used Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) eggs to examine the effects of probiotic supplementation on the antimicrobial CDPs extracted from quail eggs (QE). Eggshell-free QE were obtained from two distinct groups of quails. The first group (K10N) comprised eggs from unsupplemented quails. The second group (K10S) comprised eggs from quails supplemented with Lb. plantarum LBP-K10. The QE samples were extracted using methylene chloride through a liquid-liquid extraction process. The resulting extract was fractionated into 16 parts using semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Two fractions, Q6 and Q9, were isolated from K10S and identified as cis-cyclo(L-Ser-L-Pro) and cis-cyclo(L-Leu-L-Pro). The Q9 fraction, containing cis-cyclo(L-Leu-L-Pro), has shown significant inhibitory properties against the proliferation of highly pathogenic multidrug-resistant bacteria, as well as human-specific and phytopathogenic fungi. Some of the ten combinations between the remaining fourteen unidentified fractions and two fractions, Q6 and Q9, containing cis-cyclo(L-Ser-L-Pro) and cis-cyclo(L-Leu-L-Pro) respectively, demonstrated a significant increase in activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria only when combined with Q9. The activity was 7.17 times higher compared to a single cis-cyclo(L-Leu-L-Pro). This study presents new findings on the efficacy of proline-containing CDPs in avian eggs. These CDPs provide antimicrobial properties when specific probiotics are supplemented.

Potential effect dietary supplementation of calcium tetraborate in quails exposed to cadmium: Its impact on productive performance, oxidative stress, cecal microflora, and histopathological changes.

Cadmium (Cd) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, and Cd exposure harms human health, agriculture, and animal husbandry. The present study aimed to investigate the potential protective effect of dietary supplementation of calcium tetraborate (CTB) on productive performance, oxidative stress, cecal microflora, and histopathological changes in quail exposed to Cd. A total of one hundred twenty, 6-week-old Japanese quail (four females and two males/replicate) were divided into four groups (30 quails/group): the control group (feeding basic diet), CTB group (basic diet containing 300 mg/kg CaB4O7, 22.14% elemental B/kg diet), the Cd group (basic diet containing 100 mg/kg cadmium chloride (CdCl2) (total Cd content of 92.1 mg/kg)) and the CTB + Cd group (basic diet containing 300 mg/kg CTB and 100 mg/kg CdCl2). The results showed that Cd exposure caused decreased performance, increased the proportion of broken and soft-shelled eggs, induced oxidative stress, affected cecal microflora, epicardial hemorrhages in the heart, focal necrosis in the liver, degeneration in the kidneys, and degenerated and necrotic seminiferous tubules in the testicles. CTB prevented Cd-induced oxidative stress in liver tissue by increasing total antioxidant status and reducing total oxidant status. In addition, CTB improved egg production and feed conversion ratio (FCR). CTB protected the cecal microflora by inhibiting Enterobacteriaceae and promoting Lactobacillus. CTB also reduced Cd-induced histopathological damage in the heart, liver, kidneys, and testicles. In conclusion, these findings suggest that CTB could be used in Cd-challenged quail, and this compound provides new insights into the toxicity of environmental Cd.

Consequences of dietary cinnamon and ginger oils supplementation on blood biochemical parameters, oxidative status, and tissue histomorphology of growing Japanese quails.

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of various concentrations of ginger and cinnamon oils as antibiotic substitutes on some blood biochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity, and histopathological profile of the liver and gut of growing Japanese. A total of 900 Japanese quails were randomly allotted into 6 treatment groups. Each group had 5 replicates (30 chicks each). The first group received a basal diet and served as the control, while the second received a basal diet plus 0.5 g of colistin antibiotic/kg diet. The third and fourth groups were supplemented with 0.5 mL and 1.0 mL of ginger oil (GO)/kg diet, respectively. While the fifth and sixth groups received basal diet with 0.5 and 1.0 mL of cinnamon oil (CO)/kg diet, respectively. Results showed that adding herbal oils significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and urea levels compared to control and colistin groups. Various levels of GO and CO significantly (P < 0.05) reduced cholesterol levels compared to control birds. Compared to the control and antibiotic groups, Japanese quails supplemented with various levels of herbal oils (GO and CO) had more extraordinarily significant (P < 0.05) values for total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GSR). Regarding histopathologic examination, the jejunum displayed a nearly empty lumen, a few fusions, and mild goblet cell metaplasia. On the other hand, the duodenum looked tall and had a few fusions of villi and remnants of removal in its lumina. It could be concluded that cinnamon and GO improved birds' blood biochemical parameters, electorate oxidative stress, and enhanced intestinal and hepatic histology of the treated quails. Also, the levels of 0.5 mL CO and 0.5 mL GO may be an acceptable substitute for antibiotics (colistin) in the diets of growing Japanese quail.

Comparison of plant extract-derived nano-zinc particles with different zinc sources and effects of different Zn sources on egg yield and quality traits.

This study aimed to compare the zinc (Zn) nanoparticles obtained from plant extracts with different zinc sources and to reveal the effects of different Zn sources on growth performance, egg quality traits and blood serum parameters of laying quail. Treatment groups as follows: control and 3 and 6 mg/kg inorganic, organic, and plant extract-derived nano-Zn particles to quail diet supplementation. Animals were fed on experimental diets for 6 weeks. Different Zn sources supplemented into quail diets did not significantly affect live weights (P > 0.05). On the other hand, different Zn sources increased egg yields (P < 0.05). Plant extract-derived nano-Zn supplementations into quail diets increased feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, and egg weights (P < 0.05). However, 6 mg/kg plant extract-derived nano-Zn supplementations reduced egg weights. Different Zn sources did not have any significant effects on egg yolk weight (g) and egg yolk color L*b* values (P > 0.05). For blood serum parameters, 6 mg/kg plant extract-derived nano-Zn supplementations increased blood serum AST, ALT, and Zn values (P < 0.05). No adverse effect was observed on the measured values in laying Japanese quails. The findings suggest that plant extract-derived nano-Zn particles could reliably be used in quail feeding.

Growth, carcass criteria, and blood biochemical parameters of growing quails fed Arthrospira platensis as a feed additive.

This study investigated the impact of Arthrospira platensis (A. platensis) as a dietary supplement on growth, carcass criteria, liver and kidney function, lipid profile, and immunity of growing Japanese quails. In a 28-day experiment, 240 unsexed 7-day-old quail chicks were used. The quail chicks were divided into 4 treatment sets, each comprising 6 replicates and 10 quail chicks. Group (1) fed the basal diet with no supplements, group (2) fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.25 g A. platensis/kg diet, group (3) fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.50 g A. platensis/kg diet, and group (4) fed the basal diet supplemented with 1.00 g A. platensis/kg diet. The results of this study revealed that the birds that were fed 0.50 g. or 1.00 g A. platensis/kg diet had superior final body weights, body weight gains, feed conversion ratios, and carcass criteria compared to control, furthermore, had significant (P < 0.05) lower levels of liver enzymes and kidney function markers compared to control. Furthermore, birds fed 0.50 g or 1.00 g A. platensis/kg diet had significantly (P < 0.05) reduced cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol levels compared to control. Dietary supplementation of A. platensis at 0.50 and 1.00 g/kg diet significantly (P < 0.05) increased total antioxidant capacity, total immunoglobulin, and lysozyme activity levels. Using A. platensis at 0.5 or 1 g/kg diet levels during the Japanese quails' growth period can improve growth, carcass criteria, liver and kidney function, lipid profile, and immunity.