1- Department of Agricultural Science, Ma. C., Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract: (8 Views)
Introduction and Objective: In recent years, the use of phytogenic compounds and probiotics as natural alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry nutrition has received considerable attention. Portulaca oleracea (purslane) seeds are rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, flavonoids, polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals, possessing strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a well-known probiotic that improves intestinal microbial balance, enhances nutrient digestion and absorption, and strengthens the immune system. Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), due to its rapid growth, favorable feed conversion ratio, and production of high-quality meat and eggs, serves as a suitable model for evaluating such dietary interventions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of purslane seed powder and S. cerevisiae probiotic on growth performance, carcass traits, gastrointestinal pH, intestinal microflora, antioxidant enzyme activities, blood biochemical parameters, and intestinal morphology in Japanese quails.
Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replicates per treatment, each containing ten mixed-sex Japanese quails. Dietary treatments included: (1) basal diet (control), (2) basal diet + 1% purslane seed powder, (3) basal diet + 2% purslane seed powder, and (4) basal diet + 0.5% S. cerevisiae probiotic. Diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isonitrogenous according to NRC (1994) recommendations. The trial lasted 42 days. At the end of the experiment, growth performance parameters (final body weight, daily weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio) were recorded. Selected birds from each replicate were slaughtered for carcass traits evaluation. Intestinal contents were sampled for enumeration of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus spp. Gastrointestinal pH was measured using a digital pH meter. Blood samples were collected to determine antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GPx]), malondialdehyde (MDA), and biochemical parameters including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high- and low-density lipoproteins (HDL, LDL), and liver enzymes (AST, ALT). Histomorphological measurements (villus height, crypt depth, villus height-to-crypt depth ratio) of the duodenum and ileum were carried out using hematoxylin–eosin-stained tissue sections under a light microscope. Data were analyzed using SAS software, and means were compared using Duncan’s multiple range test at a significance level of 5%.
Results: Supplementation with 2% purslane seed powder significantly reduced E. coli counts (to 1,600 CFU/g) and markedly increased Lactobacillus counts (to 23,500 CFU/g) compared with the control (P<0.001). The S. cerevisiae probiotic also decreased E. coli and increased Lactobacillus populations, but its effects were less pronounced than those of the 2% purslane treatment. Carcass traits were not significantly affected except for liver percentage, which was lower in the 2% purslane group (P<0.05). Gastrointestinal pH decreased significantly in all supplemented groups, with the greatest reduction observed in the probiotic group (P<0.001). Blood biochemical analysis revealed that 2% purslane significantly decreased MDA levels, increased SOD and GPx activities, lowered TC, TG, and LDL levels, and increased HDL concentrations compared with the control (P<0.05). Histomorphological analysis showed that 1% and 2% purslane significantly increased villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, while reducing crypt depth in both duodenum and ileum, indicating improved nutrient absorption capacity. The probiotic also improved intestinal morphology, though its effects were less marked than those of 2% purslane.
Conclusion: Overall, the results indicate that dietary inclusion of purslane seed powder, particularly at 2%, can improve gut microbial balance, enhance antioxidant defense mechanisms, reduce lipid peroxidation, improve blood lipid profile, and optimize intestinal morphology in Japanese quails. S. cerevisiae probiotic also had positive effects on intestinal microflora and gastrointestinal pH, but its impact on some parameters was less than that of purslane. Purslane seed powder can be recommended as an effective natural feed additive and a potential alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in quail nutrition.
Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replicates per treatment, each containing ten mixed-sex Japanese quails. Dietary treatments included: (1) basal diet (control), (2) basal diet + 1% purslane seed powder, (3) basal diet + 2% purslane seed powder, and (4) basal diet + 0.5% S. cerevisiae probiotic. Diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isonitrogenous according to NRC (1994) recommendations. The trial lasted 42 days. At the end of the experiment, growth performance parameters (final body weight, daily weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio) were recorded. Selected birds from each replicate were slaughtered for carcass traits evaluation. Intestinal contents were sampled for enumeration of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus spp. Gastrointestinal pH was measured using a digital pH meter. Blood samples were collected to determine antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GPx]), malondialdehyde (MDA), and biochemical parameters including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high- and low-density lipoproteins (HDL, LDL), and liver enzymes (AST, ALT). Histomorphological measurements (villus height, crypt depth, villus height-to-crypt depth ratio) of the duodenum and ileum were carried out using hematoxylin–eosin-stained tissue sections under a light microscope. Data were analyzed using SAS software, and means were compared using Duncan’s multiple range test at a significance level of 5%.
Results: Supplementation with 2% purslane seed powder significantly reduced E. coli counts (to 1,600 CFU/g) and markedly increased Lactobacillus counts (to 23,500 CFU/g) compared with the control (P<0.001). The S. cerevisiae probiotic also decreased E. coli and increased Lactobacillus populations, but its effects were less pronounced than those of the 2% purslane treatment. Carcass traits were not significantly affected except for liver percentage, which was lower in the 2% purslane group (P<0.05). Gastrointestinal pH decreased significantly in all supplemented groups, with the greatest reduction observed in the probiotic group (P<0.001). Blood biochemical analysis revealed that 2% purslane significantly decreased MDA levels, increased SOD and GPx activities, lowered TC, TG, and LDL levels, and increased HDL concentrations compared with the control (P<0.05). Histomorphological analysis showed that 1% and 2% purslane significantly increased villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, while reducing crypt depth in both duodenum and ileum, indicating improved nutrient absorption capacity. The probiotic also improved intestinal morphology, though its effects were less marked than those of 2% purslane.
Conclusion: Overall, the results indicate that dietary inclusion of purslane seed powder, particularly at 2%, can improve gut microbial balance, enhance antioxidant defense mechanisms, reduce lipid peroxidation, improve blood lipid profile, and optimize intestinal morphology in Japanese quails. S. cerevisiae probiotic also had positive effects on intestinal microflora and gastrointestinal pH, but its impact on some parameters was less than that of purslane. Purslane seed powder can be recommended as an effective natural feed additive and a potential alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in quail nutrition.
Keywords: Japanese quail, Portulaca oleracea, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Intestinal Microflora, Morphology
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