Effects of catechin and copper or their combination in diet on productive performance, egg quality, egg shelf-life, plasma 8-OHdG concentrations and oxidative status in laying quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of catechin and copper supplementations to quail diet on performance, egg quality and lipid peroxidation, plasma 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) concentrations and oxidative status. In this study, 300 quails, 10-week old, were divided into 4 groups with 5 replicates. The dietary treatments were a control diet and a control diet supplemented with 3000 mg/kg of green tea catechins (Cat), 80 mg/kg of copper proteinate (CuP), or 3000 mg/kg of Cat + 80 mg/kg of CuP (combination; Cat + CuP) for 8 weeks. Plasma 8OHdG and enzyme activities did not change. Egg weight and specific gravity of Cat group were lower than that of the control group (p < 0.001). Egg yolk colour increased by dietary catechin (p = 0.001). The MDA concentrations in egg yolk, plasma and tissue decreased by dietary catechin; and kidney MDA concentrations also decreased by all treatments (p < 0.05). Consequently, dietary catechin had a negative effect on egg-specific gravity and a positive effect on egg yolk colour without affecting internal egg quality parameters. However, dietary catechin and copper, without causing DNA damage, reduced lipid peroxidation in egg and organism and has a positive effect on egg lipid peroxidation.

Keywords

• catechin
• copper
• quail
• 8-ohdg
• lipid peroxidation