The effect of cinnamon oil supplemented ration on growth performance and some blood parameters in heat stressed japanese quail

This research was carried out to determine the effects of cinnamon oil added to diet in various concentrations on performance, carcass characteristics, antioxidant activity, serum glucose, triglyceride, HDL, LDL and total cholesterol levels in heat stressed quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica). The quails (n=180, 15 days age), which were exposed to two different ambient temperature [Thermoneutral (TN) and heat stress (SS)] and three different concentrations of cinnamon oil (0, 250 and 500 mg/kg), were randomly divided into 6 groups according to 2x3 factorial order.Effect of the cinnamon oil was found to be insignificant (P>0.05), while effect of heat stress was found significant on live weight (P<0.01), live weight gain (P<0.05) and feed consumption (P<0.05). Both the heat stress and the cinnamon oil on feed conversion ratio were not found significant (P>0.05). Heat stress affected significantly on other carcass parameters [hot carcass ratio (P<0.05), cold carcass ratio (P<0.05), spleen ratio (P<0.001) and heart ratio (P<0.01)] except liver ratio (P>0.05).The cinnamon oil used at each concentration decreased serum glucose, triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels in groups exposed to the heat stress (P<0.01), while the heat stress increased serum glucose (P<0.001), triglyceride (P<0.01) and LDL cholesterol levels (P<0.001). Total cholesterol level was increased (P<0.01) with the effect of heat stress, while HDL cholesterol level was decreased (P<0.01). However both total and HDL cholesterol levels were not affected by cinnamon oil (P>0.05).The serum MDA level increased with the effect of the heat stress (P<0.05). While the serum GSH-Px level decreased with the effect of the heat stress (P<0.001), the cinnamon oil increased the serum GSH-Px level, depending on the concentrations used (P<0.001). The serum GSH and SOD levels decreased with the effect of the heat stress (P<0.01) while increase in both parameters in the group of TN500 was found (P<0.01).As a result, the effect of cinnamon oil which is added to basal diet on the performance and carcass traits was found to be insignificant. On the other hand cinnamon oil decreased serum glucose, triglyceride and LDL cholesterol, and increased the GSH-Px, GSH and SOD levels. Therefore, it was proved that the addition of cinnamon oil to diet may reduce the negative effects of heat stress which is an important stress factor in quails.