The effect of long-term feeding of conjugated linoleic acid on fertility in Japanese quail

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the long-term feeding of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on laying hen performance, egg fertility and hatchability of fertile eggs of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). One hundred and sixty 7-day old Japanese quail chicks were randomly assigned to four groups (40 birds per group) and fed for five weeks on a commercial diet supplemented with either 0.5% hazelnut (Group A), 0.5% sunflower oil (Group B), 0.25% CLA (Group C) or 0.5% CLA (Group D). The birds received water and feed ad libitum during the study. At the end of the five weeks the birds were sexed, and 21 females and seven males from each group were selected. For a further six weeks these selected birds were fed a layer diet supplemented with their respective sources of oil. Eggs were collected daily and incubated weekly. The fertility rate was determined by visual inspection at the end of the incubation period. Dietary CLA at the inclusion level of 0.5%, but not at 0.25%, caused a significant decrease in percentage hatchability of the fertile eggs compared to Groups A and B. Hatchability of fertile eggs from Groups A, B, C and D was 74, 80, 72 and 70, respectively. Fertility rates between Groups A, B, C and D did not differ significantly, and were 64.4, 56.4, 66.0 and 62.8%, respectively. Hen-day egg production of Groups A, C and D were similar, but in weeks 3, 4, 5 and 6, hens in Group B had a significantly lower hen-day egg production (%) compared to Group A. Also, in weeks 3, 4, 5 and 6, egg size in Group B was significantly lower than that in the other groups. From this study it is concluded that dietary CLA at inclusion levels of 0.25% or 0.5% did not influence egg fertility, egg weight and egg production in Japanese quail.

Long term conjugated linoleic acid supplementation modestly improved growth performance but induced testicular tissue apoptosis and reduced sperm quality in male rabbit

“…The effect of long-term dietary CLA supplementation on male rabbit reproduction was not formerly investigated. Prior studies investigating the effect of CLA on semen parameters either through dietary supplementation [12] or direct application on semen [8] were of short term and, for the most part, conducted after puberty [7]. In the current study, long-term dietary supplementation of CLA did not significantly affect sperm kinetics or morphology.…”

“…Some studies reported that CLA supplementation increased fertility [9] while other studies have shown no [7,10] or limited effect on fertility based on semen evaluation only [11]. In a study on Japanese quails, CLA reduced fertility and hatchability [12].…”

Does the use of different oil sources in quail diets impact their productive and reproductive performance, egg quality, and blood constituents?

“…(2010) , who concluded that quail fed on diets with corn oil had increased percentages for fertility and hatchability than those fed on sunflower oil but not compatible with flax oil results. The enhancement in the reproductive traits of quail hens when flax oil was supplemented to their diet in comparison with sunflower oil group may be attributed to hormone metabolism regulation by dietary phytoestrogens, mainly estrogen ( Aydin et al., 2006 ).…”

“… Norum (1992) found direct relationship between intake of saturated fatty acids and incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Aydin et al. (2006) reported that increasing dietary ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acid declined cholesterol content in blood plasma.…”

FATS AND EMULSIFIERS IN FEEDING BROILER CHICKENS (review)

“…При нехватке возникает повышенная потребность в воде и снижение иммунного ответа. Дефицит линолевой кислоты у петушков может нарушить сперматогенез и влиять на фертильность (56). Недостаточное отложение линолевой кислоты в яйце отрицательно скажется на эмбриональном развитии (57).…”