- 1Department of Animal Science, Qaemshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr, Iran. vrezaeipour@gmail.com.
- 2Department of Animal Science, Qaemshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr, Iran.
Abstract
A
2 × 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments was used to investigate
the effects of two levels of dietary crude protein (200 or 240 g kg-1)
and two inclusion rates of phytase enzyme supplementation (with or
without) on performance, jejunum morphology, and some hematological
parameters of Japanese quails fed diets based on three graded levels of
sesame (Sesamum indicum) meal (0, 120, and 240 g kg-1 of the diet). A total of 480 Japanese quail
chicks were randomly allocated to 12 treatments with 4 replicates of 10
Japanese quails. The results showed that feed intake was decreased in
quails fed diets containing 240 g kg-1 of sesame meal (P < 0.05). Diets with 120 and 240 g kg-1 inclusion rates of sesame meal improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) in Japanese quail
(P < 0.05). Results indicated that the higher level of crude protein
improved protein efficiency ratio (PER) and increased feed intake
(P < 0.05). The results of jejunum morphology showed that diets
containing 120 and 240 g kg-1 sesame meal increased villus
height and the ratio of VH to CD and decreased crypt depth
(P < 0.05). Enzyme addition increased serum calcium and phosphorous
of Japanese quails (P < 0.05). The liver weight was greater in
Japanese quails fed diets containing 200 g kg-1 crude protein and 120 g kg-1 sesame meal (P < 0.05). The serum concentration of uric acid was increased in birds that received 240 g kg-1
protein (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the use of sesame meal
improved growth performance (FCR) of Japanese quails. Moreover, serum
concentration of calcium and phosphorous was greater in quails with
phytase supplementation included in their diet.
KEYWORDS:
Intestinal morphology; Japanese quails; Liver health; Phytase; Sesame meal
