Effect of Hydroethanolic Saffron petals’ extract on performance, carcass characteristics and blood parameters of Japanese quails challenged by aflatoxin

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Hydroethanolic saffron petals’ extract (HSPE) on the performance, carcass characteristics and blood biochemical parameters of Japanese quails challenged with Aflatoxin B1. A total of 168 day-old quails were arranged into 28 experimental units with 7 treatments in a completely randomized design. The treatments included control, 3, 6 ppm aflatoxin B1, 3ppm aflatoxin +350 ppm HSPE, 3ppm aflatoxin +700 ppm HSPE, 6ppm aflatoxin +350 ppm HSPE and 6ppm aflatoxin +700 ppm HSPE. Each treatment included 4 replicates with 6 birds. Two quails from each pen were selected, slaughtered and carcass parts were weighed and their relative weights were calculated. The data were analyzed by the SAS software. The results revealed that chicks contaminated with aflatoxin had weight loss and reduced feed intake. However, addition of HSPE to their diet improved the feed intake and body weight of the sick birds. The lower FCR were observed in quails contaminated with aflatoxin. However, supplementation of Hydroethanolic saffron petals’ extract to their diet improved the FCR. The relative weight of burs of fabricus and liver had decreased and increased in the contaminated birds, respectively. Aflatoxin B1 affected the relative weight and length of intestine parts. Aflatoxin B1 decreased the concentration of cholesterol and triglyceride and increased liver enzyme activity. Therefore, supplementation of Hydroethanolic saffron petals’ extract to diets may improve the body weight, feed intake and FCR of quail contaminated with aflatoxin B1.

Keywords

• Cholesterol
• Feed conversion ratio
• Liver enzyme activity
• Relative weight of Bursa of fabricus