Impact of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) pollen supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits, cecal microbial composition, and blood parameters in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica)

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of date palm pollen (DPP) supplementation in the diet of Japanese quail on growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood biomarkers, and intestinal bacterial load. A total of 360 unsexed one-day-old Japanese quail chicks were randomly assigned to four ex...

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Main Authors: Soha A. Farag, Waleed M. Dosoky, Abdelrahim A. Moussa, Mahmoud Kamal, Ahmed A. Elolimy, Mohamed M.F. El-Mekkawy, Mohamed E. Abd El-Hack, Ayman A. Swelum
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Poultry Science
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579125004067
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author Soha A. Farag
Waleed M. Dosoky
Abdelrahim A. Moussa
Mahmoud Kamal
Ahmed A. Elolimy
Mohamed M.F. El-Mekkawy
Mohamed E. Abd El-Hack
Ayman A. Swelum
author_facet Soha A. Farag
Waleed M. Dosoky
Abdelrahim A. Moussa
Mahmoud Kamal
Ahmed A. Elolimy
Mohamed M.F. El-Mekkawy
Mohamed E. Abd El-Hack
Ayman A. Swelum
author_sort Soha A. Farag
collection DOAJ
description This study aimed to evaluate the effects of date palm pollen (DPP) supplementation in the diet of Japanese quail on growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood biomarkers, and intestinal bacterial load. A total of 360 unsexed one-day-old Japanese quail chicks were randomly assigned to four experimental groups using a completely randomized design. Each group was further subdivided into three replicates, each consisting of 30 chicks. In the experiment, the first group was given control (basal diet); the second group was given the same basal diet plus 3 g/kg of DPP; the third group was given the same basal diet plus 5 g/kg of DPP; and the fourth group was given the same basal diet plus 7 g/kg of DPP. The results revealed significant differences between treatments, with DPP supplementation leading to increased body weight (BW) and body weight gain (BWG) during the initial weeks (P < 0.05), and these differences became more pronounced (P < 0.01) in the later stages of the study. Additionally, the DPP-treated groups demonstrated lower feed intake (FI) and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the control group. Supplementation with DPP significantly (P < 0.05) influenced carcass, liver, spleen, thymus, and bursa percentage. The addition of DPP to the quail diet significantly impacted (P < 0.01) all hematological parameters, except for red blood cell concentration. Biochemical analysis showed a significant increase (P < 0.01) in total protein, albumin, globulin, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in the DPP groups. In contrast, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urea, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.01). DPP supplementation had a significant impact on antioxidant enzyme activities, with the 5 g/kg and 7 g/kg DPP groups showing significant increases (P < 0.01) in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) levels. Furthermore, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations were significantly reduced (P < 0.01). According to microbiological tests, the DPP-treated groups had reduced Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus levels. In summary, adding DPP to the diet of Japanese quail enhances their gut microbiota composition, growth performance, carcass characteristics, and biochemical markers.
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spelling doaj-art-4de9363b080f4eb6a6df230f23ebd40b2025-08-20T03:21:32ZengElsevierPoultry Science0032-57912025-07-01104710516410.1016/j.psj.2025.105164Impact of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) pollen supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits, cecal microbial composition, and blood parameters in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica)Soha A. Farag0Waleed M. Dosoky1Abdelrahim A. Moussa2Mahmoud Kamal3Ahmed A. Elolimy4Mohamed M.F. El-Mekkawy5Mohamed E. Abd El-Hack6Ayman A. Swelum7Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Tanta University, EgyptDepartment of Animal and Fish Production, Faculty of Agriculture (Saba Basha), Alexandria University, Alexandria 21531, EgyptDepartment of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Tanta University, EgyptLaboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, ChinaDepartment of Integrative Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Corresponding author at: Department of Integrative Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.Poultry Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, EgyptPoultry Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt; Department of Industrial Pharmacy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Manufacturing, Misr University for Science and Technology (MUST), P.O. Box 77, Giza, EgyptDepartment of Animal Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; Corresponding author at: Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of date palm pollen (DPP) supplementation in the diet of Japanese quail on growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood biomarkers, and intestinal bacterial load. A total of 360 unsexed one-day-old Japanese quail chicks were randomly assigned to four experimental groups using a completely randomized design. Each group was further subdivided into three replicates, each consisting of 30 chicks. In the experiment, the first group was given control (basal diet); the second group was given the same basal diet plus 3 g/kg of DPP; the third group was given the same basal diet plus 5 g/kg of DPP; and the fourth group was given the same basal diet plus 7 g/kg of DPP. The results revealed significant differences between treatments, with DPP supplementation leading to increased body weight (BW) and body weight gain (BWG) during the initial weeks (P < 0.05), and these differences became more pronounced (P < 0.01) in the later stages of the study. Additionally, the DPP-treated groups demonstrated lower feed intake (FI) and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the control group. Supplementation with DPP significantly (P < 0.05) influenced carcass, liver, spleen, thymus, and bursa percentage. The addition of DPP to the quail diet significantly impacted (P < 0.01) all hematological parameters, except for red blood cell concentration. Biochemical analysis showed a significant increase (P < 0.01) in total protein, albumin, globulin, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in the DPP groups. In contrast, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urea, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.01). DPP supplementation had a significant impact on antioxidant enzyme activities, with the 5 g/kg and 7 g/kg DPP groups showing significant increases (P < 0.01) in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) levels. Furthermore, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations were significantly reduced (P < 0.01). According to microbiological tests, the DPP-treated groups had reduced Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus levels. In summary, adding DPP to the diet of Japanese quail enhances their gut microbiota composition, growth performance, carcass characteristics, and biochemical markers.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579125004067Date palmCarcassPerformanceMicrobiotaJapanese quails
spellingShingle Soha A. Farag
Waleed M. Dosoky
Abdelrahim A. Moussa
Mahmoud Kamal
Ahmed A. Elolimy
Mohamed M.F. El-Mekkawy
Mohamed E. Abd El-Hack
Ayman A. Swelum
Impact of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) pollen supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits, cecal microbial composition, and blood parameters in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica)
Poultry Science
Date palm
Carcass
Performance
Microbiota
Japanese quails
title Impact of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) pollen supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits, cecal microbial composition, and blood parameters in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica)
title_full Impact of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) pollen supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits, cecal microbial composition, and blood parameters in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica)
title_fullStr Impact of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) pollen supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits, cecal microbial composition, and blood parameters in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica)
title_full_unstemmed Impact of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) pollen supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits, cecal microbial composition, and blood parameters in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica)
title_short Impact of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) pollen supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits, cecal microbial composition, and blood parameters in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica)
title_sort impact of date palm phoenix dactylifera pollen supplementation on growth performance carcass traits cecal microbial composition and blood parameters in japanese quail coturnix coturnix japonica
topic Date palm
Carcass
Performance
Microbiota
Japanese quails
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579125004067
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