Influences of Dietary Supplementation with Maca (Lepidium meyenii) on Performance, Parameters of Growth Curve and Carcass Characteristics in Japanese Quail

Abstract

Maca plant contains rich nutrients and in addition, it has various bioactive substances (N-benzyl-palmitamide, benzyl isothiocyanate, glucosinolates and phenolics). It is used to improve reproductive properties and has antioxidant effects for both humans and animals. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of adding maca plant powder to the ration at different levels on growth, slaughter carcass, partial egg production and some reproductive characteristics in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). The experimental groups were formed by adding 0% (control), 0.05% and 0.1% maca powder to the diet, and a total of 300 birds were used. Growth (weekly body weights, parameters of Gompertz growth function), feed efficiency and carcass characteristics of quails in the 42-day fattening trial were determined. Reproductive characteristics were measured up to 22 weeks of age. Addition of maca powder to the diet increased the feed consumption (p < 0.05) but did not affect body weights at 35 and 42 days of age, β0 and β1 parameters or point of inflection weight of the Gompertz model, carcass traits, partial egg production or fertility. It may be advisable to add 0.1% maca powder to the diets of breeders. Besides, maca powder reduced embryonic deaths and improved chick quality (both p < 0.05). It is thought that different results for reproductive traits can be obtained if maca powder is used for a longer period in the diets of breeder quail flocks.

Effect of maca powder supplementation to growing quail diets on performance, carcass, serum constituents and hormones, and bone and ileum characteristics

“…In the current study examining the effects of different levels of maca powder added to growing quail diets, treatments considerably affected performance parameters, excluding feed intake. In research conducted on growing quails, contrary to the current results, it was reported that body weight and feed e ciency were not affected in quails fed with diets containing of 0.05 and 0.1% maca powder, but feed intake increased at both levels compared to the control group (Turgud and Narinç, 2022). At the same time, Korkmaz et al (2016) stated that the mentioned performance parameters did not signi cantly affect by maca powder added to the diet at different levels (5 and 10 g/kg) in laying hens.…”

“…Current study that evaluated the effects of maca powder addition to the growing quail diets, carcass, liver, heart, pancreas, and ovary weights were not considerably affected by the treatments, while testis weight increased linearly. The results obtained by Turgud and Narinç (2022), who examined the effects of maca powder added at 0.05 or 0.1% levels to the growing quail diets, were similar to the present study in terms of carcass yield. In another research conducted on the issue, Gonzales et al (2001b) stated that the aqueous extract of maca, used twice a day at the level of 66.7 mg/mL, ascended testis weight in rats.…”

“…However, the feature that distinguishes maca from plants belonging to the same family, such as turnip, radish, and cabbage, its unique compounds, macaene and macamides (Muhammad et al, 2002;Mc Collom et al, 2005;Zhao et al, 2005). A study examining the effects of maca on growing quails was found in the literature, and as a result, it was stated that some performance parameters were affected, while carcass parameters were not affected from treatments (Turgud and Narinç, 2022). Also, Korkmaz et al (2016) demonstrated that the evaluated parameters were not affected by the addition of maca powder to the diet in laying hens.…”

Different Diets of Maca Roots (Lepidium meyenii) Affect Several Physiological Blood Characteristics of Broiler Chickens Under Oxidative Stress

“…In a similar fashion, the roots of the maca plant have a high concentration of important fatty acids, amino acids, polysaccharides, and mineral elements such as iron, calcium, zinc, copper, and potassium [7]. Its efficiency may be attributed to the presence of N-benzylpalmitamide, glucosinolates, phenolics, and benzylisothiocyanate [8], all of which are found in the compound. Maca root has a wide range of beneficial benefits and applications in medicine, including as an antioxidant [9] and playing a significant part in the stimulation of the immune system [10].…”

Effects of Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma Lucidum) Powder Inclusion into Quail Diets on Animal Performance, Carcass Traits, Intestinal Microflora and Serum Parameters

“…Excessive and improper use of antibiotics result in development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, therefore, use of antibiotic-originated growth factors in poultry breeding was largely banned in EU countries in (Anadon and Martinez-Larranaga, 1999Casewell et al 2003). In recent years, researchers have been in search for alternative native and growth-promoting substances as an alternative of antibiotics (Shamsi et al, 2015a;Siadati et al, 2017;Fouladi et al, 2018;Asghar et al, 2022;Turgud and Narinç, 2022). Among these additives, there is not much known about mushrooms.…”