Effects of cadmium and zinc on the quality of quail's eggs

Abstract

We report the effects of cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) on the quality of Japanese quail's eggs. For this study, 60 birds were divided into 3 groups of 20 subjects each. The animals in group 1 received 4 mg Zn/d, whereas those in group 2 were given a combination of 4 mg Zn/d and 0.12 mg Cd/d. The quails in group 3 were not given any supplements, acting as controls. The distribution of Cd and Zn in the eggs, the eggs' mass, and the strength and thickness of the shells were determined after 35 and 58 d of supplementation. Zinc showed a positive effect on the mass of eggs and accumulated mainly in the egg white. The content of Cd was significantly lower in the egg yolk of birds in group 1 (p<0.001), whereas those in group 2 had decreased eggshell thickness and strength in comparison to groups 1 and 3 (p<0.001). These results suggest that the adverse effects of Cd on the quality parameters of eggs from commercially important bird species can be, at least in part, counteracted by Zn supplementation.

Weak Correlation between Eggshell Thickness and Breaking Strength in Japanese Quail Suggests a need for Separate Assessment

“…Reference values for breaking strength are not mentioned in the current OECD guideline but our findings appear reliable since they were in the same range as those found in the older literature (Eroschenko and Place, 1977;Hartner and von Faber, 1980;Biessmann, 1982). More recently, after completion of our studies, Korénekova et al (2007) measured in two separate groups of untreated Japanese quail a mean eggshell breaking strength of 12.1 ( + 2.0) and 13.1 ( + 1.4) N, respectively. Kamata et al (2006aKamata et al ( , 2006bKamata et al ( , 2009 reported mean values between 10.42 and 13.08 N for their different experiments proving a rather high variability of this parameter.…”

The effect of dietary coenzyme Q10 supplementation on egg quality and liver histopathology of layer quails under cadmium challenge

“…The ubiquitous nature of Cd poses a hazard to humans and farm animals, since they are exposed to this heavy metal through the food supply and as a result it is accumulated in the body (Anetor, 2012; Bernard, 2008; Clemens et al, 2013; Kar & Patra, 2021; Rani et al, 2014; Schaefer et al, 2020; Shimada et al, 2008). Although acute exposure ofCd is unlikely in most commercial production systems, chronic Cd exposure, even at very low doses, can decrease growth, increase feed conversion ratio (FCR) and impair both egg production and egg quality (Koréneková et al, 2007; Swapna et al, 2010). As reviewed by Kar and Patra (2021), Cd accumulation in birds occurs mainly in the liver (bound with metallothionein) and kidney (for excretion).…”

Efficacy of dietary supplementation of nanoparticles-chromium, chromium-methionine and zinc-proteinate, on performance of Japanese quail under physiological stress

“…Also, Zn can participate in energy regulation, lipid metabolism, protein degradation and synthesis (Attia, Abd Al-Hamid, ElKomy, et al 2013;Muralisankar et al 2014). Japanese quails are relatively susceptible to Zn deficiency, compared to other poultry species, and it is known that 25-50 mg Zn/kg of feed is normally required for the rearing of quails in standard circumstances (Korenekova et al 2007).…”