Influence of dietary supplementation of propolis on productive performance, immunological and physiological parameters of growing japanese quail

Abstract EN

This study was designed to determine the effect of different levels of propolis on growth parameters, blood constituents, immunity and anti-oxidative properties of growing Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica).

Propolis was added to the basal diet at five different levels being 0, 75, 150, 225, and 300 mg/kg diet, respectively.

Quail fed diets containing 75, 150, 225 and 300 mg propolis/kg diet had significantly heavier body weights than those fed control diet throughout the experimental period.

Feed intake increased gradually by increasing propolis levels in the diets compared with the control group.

Significant improvement in feed conversion ratio was noticed only in quail fed 300 mg propolis/kg.

Relative weight of bursa and thymus were significantly (P≤0.01) increased in quail fed 300 mg propolis.

Serum total protein and globulin content of propolis treatment were significantly higher than control (p≤0.05).

Serum aspartete aminotransferese significantly (P≤0.05) affected by different treatments.

Serum total lipids, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein and triglycerides were decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.01) with inclusion of different levels of propolis.

Serum glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly (P ≤ 0.01) increased in the groups had 300 mg propolis as compared to the control group.

Serum total antioxidant capacity was significantly (P ≤ 0.01) increased in the groups had 225 and 300 mg propolis as compared to other groups, while serum lipid peroxide concentration was significantly (P ≤ 0.001) decreased by increasing propolis levels in the diets, except the group had 75 mg propolis was significantly equal to the control group.

Antibody titers against Newcastle disease were significantly (P ≤ 0.001) higher in all propolis groups as compared to control group at 14 and 21days post-vaccination.

In histometrical examination proved that propolis at 150 and 300 mg /kg diet improve follicular size in bursa and follicular cortex in thymus.

In conclusion, inclusion of propolis in growing quail diets may exert beneficial effects on growth parameters, blood constituents, immunity and anti-oxidative properties.