Effect of different levels of dietary vitamin E on reproductive and productive performances in Japanese quails (<i>Coturnix coturnix japonica</i>)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin E on reproductive and productive parameters in Japanese quails. A total number of 240 female and 80 male Japanese quail were divided into five treatments with four replications in a completely randomized design. Experimental diets were zero control, 30, 60, 120 and 240 mg kg^-1 of vitamin E. Fertility and total hatchability were not affected by treatments. But, the lowest hatch of fertile eggs and the highest embryonic death were observed in control group (<em>p</em> < 0.05). Left testes weight in T2 and T4 was higher than control (<em>p</em> < 0.05). Right testes weight and sera FSH concentration in males were not affected by treatments. The highest testosterone concentration of males was observed in T5 (<em>p</em> < 0.05). Weight and length of oviduct as well as weight of ovary and FSH concentration in females did not affected by treatments. Estrogen concentration in T4 treatment was greater than control (<em>p</em> < 0.05). Most of the egg characteristics were not affected by treatments. However, higher egg mass and production rates were observed in T2 and T3groups than control group (<em>p</em> < 0.05). Feed intake and conversion ratio did not differ among treatments. In conclusion, dietary vitamin E improved hatch of fertile egg, embryonic viability, egg mass and production rates in Japanese quail. The effect of dietary vitamin E combined with selenium on these characteristics are recommended for future study in Japanese quail.