Dietary ascorbic acid and betaine improve stress responses, testosterone levels and some sexual traits in male Japanese quails during the dry season. (26th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Michaelis, Martin; Egbuniwe, Ifeanyichukwu Chukwuemeka; Uchendu, Chukwuka Nwocha; Obidike, Ikechukwu Reginald
• Is Part Of: Experimental results. Volume 2(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07-26
• Subjects: antioxidants -- heat stress -- quails -- sexual traits; Science -- Experiments -- Periodicals; Science -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 507.24
• DOI: 10.1017/exp.2021.10
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2516-712X

Abstract

Abstract: The experiment investigated the effects of dietary ascorbic acid and betaine stress responses, serum testosterone levels, and some sexual traits in male Japanese quails during the dry season. A total of 240 male Japanese quails (14 days old) were used and randomly assigned to four groups, each group has three replicates ( n = 20). Birds in treatment groups were fed ascorbic acid (AA); betaine (BET); and AA + BET in their diets, whereas the control birds were fed only basal diet. Environmental conditions were predominantly outside thermoneutral zone for Japanese quails. Dietary AA ± BET increased ( p < .05) serum catalase, reduced glutathione and testosterone, but lowered ( p < .05) cortisol levels when compared with control group. Supplemental AA, BET, or AA + BET enhanced ( p < .05) cloacal gland size and sexual traits. In conclusion, dietary AA and BET improved stress responses, serum testosterone levels, and some sexual traits in male Japanese quails during the dry season.