This study aimed to investigate the effect of supplementation with canthaxanthin ( Cx ) and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol ( 25-OH-D 3 ) on the production performance, egg quality, bone mineral content, blood biochemical parameters, and antioxidant status of European quail breeders. Two hundred and forty quail breeders were distributed in a completely randomized design with 5 diets and 8 replicates of 4 females and 2 males were used. All quail breeders received one of 5 diets: basal diet (containing 2,000 IU vitamin D 3 ) or the same diet supplemented with 3 ppm Cx and 34.5 μg 25-OH-D 3 , 6 ppm Cx and 69 μg 25-OH-D 3 , 9 ppm Cx and 103.5 μg 25-OH-D 3 , or 12 ppm Cx and 138 μg 25-OH-D 3 . Production performance and internal and external egg quality parameters were not influenced by diet. Eggshell dry weight decreased linearly with increasing supplementation levels, and eggshell ash and calcium content increased quadratically. Plasma phosphorus, calcium, and ionic calcium levels in females and plasma ionic calcium levels in males showed a positive quadratic response to dietary supplementation. Femoral and tibiotarsal dry weight and calcium content were influenced by diet. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl ( DPPH ) radical scavenging activity in the liver of males and females and in the serum of females showed a positive quadratic relationship with Cx and 25-OH-D 3 levels, whereas the malonaldehyde concentration showed a negative quadratic relationship. DPPH scavenging activity in the serum of male quail increased linearly with supplementation. There was a positive quadratic effect on superoxide dismutase gene expression and a positive linear effect on glutathione peroxidase 7 gene expression, suggesting that dietary enrichment with Cx and 25-OH-D 3 might help protect spermatozoa against oxidative damage. The dietary supplement was pro-oxidative at high concentrations (above 9 ppm Cx). The results indicate that diets with adequate levels of Cx and 25-OH-D 3 have a beneficial effect on calcium and phosphorus metabolism as well as on the antioxidant defense system. We recommend supplementing European quail breeders in the laying period with 6 ppm Cx and 69 μg 25-OH-D 3 .

SUMMARY The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition, apparent metabolizable energy (AME), apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) and the metabolizability of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of passion fruit seed meal (PFM) for quails. One hundred meat quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica), with 21 days old, allotted in a completely randomized design, with four treatments, five replicates and four animals per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of different levels PFM (4.0, 8.0, 12.0 and 16.0%) that replaced the basal diet (w/w). Metabolizable values were determined by fitting linear equations the PFM can be characterized as an alternative feedstuff for meat quails and the main chemical compounds are gross energy (5,569 kcal kg-1), CP (11.34%), EE (18.84%) and NDF (50.22%), as fed basis. Linear equations were fitted as follow: AME = 2,976 x + 5.877 (r2 = 0.94) and AMEn = 2,939 x + 4.864 (r2 = 0.95), thus AME and AMEn were estimated at 2,976 and 2,939 kcal kg-1, respectively. Additionaly, equations were adjusted for CP, EE, NFD and DM, respectively resulting in a metabolization of 6.35, 17.9, 12.48 and 45.66%. It is concluded that main components of the passion fruit seed meal are gross energy, crude protein, ether extract and neutral detergent fiber and its AME and AMEn for meat quails are 2,976 and 2,939 kcal kg-1, respectively.

Inosine 5′-monophosphate (5′-IMP) is an essential nucleotide for de novo nucleotide biosynthesis and metabolism of energy, proteins, and antioxidants. Nucleotides are conditionally essential, as they cannot be produced sufficiently rapidly to meet the needs of the body in situations of oxidative stress or rapid muscle growth. A deficient intake of nucleotides can result in decreased ATP and GTP synthesis and impaired metabolism. We demonstrated that supplementation of finishing pig diets with 5′-IMP reduces the relative weight of the liver, and increases oxygen consumption during mitochondrial respiration without changing the ADP/O ratio, indicating an increase in the respiratory efficiency of liver mitochondria. We also observed a reduction in liver lipid peroxidation and an increase in muscle creatine. Moreover, 5′IMP supplementation increases slaughter weight, lean meat yield, sarcomere length, and backfat thickness in finishing barrows, demonstrating influence on protein metabolism. We suggest that 5′-IMP supplementation increase the mitochondrial respiratory capacity when the liver metabolic activity is stimulated, enhances antioxidant defense, and promotes muscle growth in finishing barrows.

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