Effects of different oil sources supplementation in quail diets on fattening performance, carcass traits, some blood parameters and oxidative status

This study was carried out to determine effects of diets containing different oil sources on fattening performance, carcass quality traits, some blood parameters and oxidative status. A total of 400 Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) aged three-day-old were used in the experiment. The birds were divided into one control group and four groups containing 100 quails in each. Each group was sub-divided into five replicates each containing 20 quails. Soybean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil and olive oil was supplemented to experimental diets separately at level of 3%. The experimental period was lasted for 6 weeks. The results of the study showed that there were no changes in terms of body weights, body weight gain and feed intake as well as carcass weights, relative weight of liver, heart, spleen, gizzard, proventriculus and abdominal fat in all experimental groups with soybean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil and olive oil supplementation (p>0,05). Morover, ALP, ALT, AST, total protein, triglyceride and cholesterol levels were not affected by oils supplementation (p>0,05). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level was decreased in the the safflower oil-supplemented group, whereas serum antioxidant activity level was increased in the same group. No significant difference was observed between the groups in term of the MDA level of breast meat (p>0.05). Based on the findings from this research, it may be stated that the supplementation of soybean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil and olive oil to diets has no any adverse effect on the fattening performance, carcass traits, some blood parameters and oxidation of the breast meat as well as the prevention of serum lipid oxidation might be more effective in quails.