Document Type : Research article
Authors
1
1Department of Natural Products Research, Center of Technical Research, Northern Technical University, Mosul, Iraq.
2
Department of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq.
3
Department of Communicable Diseases Research, Center of Technical Research, Northern Technical University, Mosul, Iraq.
4
Northern Technical University
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the effect of overcrowding alone and overcrowding combined with green tea (GT) extract on various physiological characteristics in Japanese quails. A total of 45 six-week-old male quails were utilized, and they were divided into three main groups. The first group consisted of 15 birds, served as the control group and was bred under normal conditions, with a stocking density of 15 birds per square meter. The second and third groups each included 15 birds divided into three replicates and were bred under overcrowded conditions, with 75 birds per square meter. The third group was given a water extract of GT in their drinking water. After 30 days, the birds' body weight, liver weight, serum and blood parameters, and liver function criteria were measured. The results showed that overcrowding had a negative impact on body weight, total protein, albumin, globulin, lymphocytes, and several haematological parameters (RBCs, WBCs, Hb, PCV, and MCHC). On the other hand, overcrowding led to an increase in parameters such as heterophil, basophil, liver weight, ALT, AST, MCV, and MCH. Quails treated with GT extract showed an increase in lymphocytes, basophils, neutrophils, and monocyte levels, as well as elevated body weight, total protein, globulin, and most haematological parameters (Hb, PCV, RBCs, WBCs, and MCHC). Additionally, levels of heterophil, ALT, MCV, and MCH decreased in the group treated with GT extract. In conclusion, overcrowding harms quail reproduction, behaviour, and nutrition. However, using the aqueous GT extract could mitigate these effects and improve the overall health of quail.
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