Determination of the effects of Satureja spicigera (K. Koch) Boiss leaf powder added to quail feed on performance, meat quality, cecuum microbiology and intestinal histology

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Satureja spicigera (K. Koch) Boiss leaf powder supplementation (S0: 0%, S1: 0.25%, S2: 0.5%, S3: 0.75%, S4: 1%) on performance, meat quality, microbiology and intestinal histology of Japanese quails. A total of 400 quails (5 treatments, 4 replicates, 20 animals in each replicate) at one day of age were randomly reared in floor cages. On day 42, a total of 40 quails, 1 female and 1 male from each replicate, were slaughtered and samples were taken. Live weight, body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, visceral weights, meat quality characteristics, microbiology of the secum, thickness of duodenal lamina muscularis mucosa, ratio of duodenal villi length to crypt depth, while no significant difference was observed in terms of thickness of lamina muscularis mucosa of jejunum, ileum villi length and sensory criteria, it was determined that the meat color of S1 and S4 groups was lighter than the control group (P<0.05), and the MDA levels of S1 and S2 groups were significantly lower (P<0. 05). In duodenum, villi length and crypt depth were higher (P<0.05) in S1 group. In the jejunum, villi length of S3 group was higher (P<0.01), crypt depth of S4 group was lower (P<0.01) and villi length and crypt depth of S3 and S4 groups were higher than S0 and S1 groups (P<0.05). Ileal crypt depth of S3 and S4 group was increased compared to other groups (P<0.01), lamina muscularis mucosa thickness was lower in S0 group (P<0.01), and the ratio of villi length to crypt depth of S3 group was lower compared to other groups (P<0.01). It was determined that addition of Satureja spicigera to the diet improved intestinal health and digestion by increasing villi length in duodenum and jejunum, and showed antioxidant effect by decreasing MDA in breast meat.