Journal of Trace Elements and Minerals (Mar 2025)
Comparison of various feed additives on nutrient digestibility, digestive enzyme activity, blood metabolite levels, and gut microbiota composition in japanese quail chicks
Abstract
Background: The poultry industry is currently facing significant challenges in maintaining disease control and achieving optimal growth following the removal of growth-promoting antibiotics. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the N Y effects of fumaric acid (FUA), iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs), probiotics (Protaxin), and prebiotics (active MOS, mannan oligosaccharide) on nutrient digestibility, digestive enzymes, blood metabolites, antioxidant and immune status, and intestinal microbiota in Japanese quail chicks. Methods: A total of 600 hatched Japanese quail (1-week-old) were randomly allocated to six groups, each containing five replicates with 20 birds in each. The birds were fed a diet based on corn and soybeans (negative control, NC) and supplemented with 0.25 g/kg of tetracycline antibiotic (PC), 0.20 g/kg of FUA, 0.4 g/kg of IONPs, 0.1 g/kg of probiotic (PRO), or 0.4 g/kg of prebiotic (MOS). Results: Japanese quail chicks that were fed a diet containing iron oxide nanoparticles and antibiotics exhibited a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) in body weight gain (BWG) between 1 and 5 weeks of age (5.65 and 5.67 g/d, respectively). Among the experimental groups, those that received diets supplemented with iron oxide nanoparticles, fumaric acid, and antibiotics demonstrated the most favorable feed conversion coefficient during the 1–5-week period. Quails that were fed fumaric acid and probiotics exhibited the highest levels of digestibility for crude protein (CP) and crude fiber (CF), respectively. Quails that were administered fumaric acid displayed the highest levels of amylase and protease activity compared to the other groups (17.75 and 0.84 U/I, respectively). However, no significant difference in lipase activity was observed among the various dietary supplements. The levels of LDL, TG, MDA, ALT, IgG, and IgM were influenced by the experimental treatments. Quail chicks fed diets containing iron oxide nanoparticles and fumaric acid displayed a higher prevalence of Lactobacillus and Bacillus species. In contrast, quail chicks that received diets containing tetracycline antibiotics exhibited a decreased presence of Clostridium species and E. coli in the ileum, as compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The inclusion of iron oxide nanoparticles and fumaric acid supplementation in the diet of quail chicks has been found to enhance their growth, nutrient digestibility, immune response, antioxidant status, digestive enzymes, and intestinal health. Furthermore, these additives demonstrate potential as alternatives to antibiotics in the diet of in Japanese quail chicks.
