Poultry Science Journal (Jan 2025)
The Effect of Spirulina platensis and Vitamin C on Some Reproductive Parameters in Japanese Quails Under Induced Stress
Abstract
The objective was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of Spirulina platensis (Sp) and Vitamin C (Vit C), as a potential strategy to alleviate the negative effects of stress on the bird's fertility. A total of 240 six-week-old quails were randomly assigned in a completely randomized design with a 3×2×2 factorial arrangement. The experimental treatments included different amounts of Spirulina platensis extract (zero, 0.4, and 0.6 g/kg), Vit C (zero and 300 mg/kg), and dexamethasone (DEX) (zero and 1 mg/kg). At the end of the experiment, an analysis was conducted on the biometric features of the oviduct and ovary, as well as the histomorphometry of the oviduct and uterus. Additionally, the concentrations of estrogen and progesterone hormones were measured, along with an assessment of fertility and hatchability rates. The quails that received a diet containing 0.4 g/kg of Sp exhibited a higher ovary height (8.42 mm; P < 0.05). Moreover, the administration of 1 mg/kg DEX and 0.4 g/kg Sp resulted in the highest weight and diameter of the magnum, along with the greatest isthmus diameter (P < 0.05). The consumption of Vit C had a positive effect on the uterine diameter and primary folds length in stressed quails. Also, The incorporation of Sp and Vit C led to an improvement in the primary fold diameter of the isthmus (P < 0.05). However, the treatments did not have any impact on the levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones, as well as the fertility and hatchability rates. In conclusion, the findings of this research indicate that the addition of Spirulina extract and Vit C to the diet had positive impacts on the morphology of the uterus and oviduct in quails experiencing physiological stress. However, these supplements did not show a notable influence on the reproductive capabilities of the quails.
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