Abstract: |
ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the inclusion
of tomato pomace (TP) into Japanese quail
breeders’ diet by investigating its effects on digestive
enzymes, immune response, antioxidant status, blood
biomarkers, productive performance, and the deposition
of carotenoids into the egg yolk. A total of 150 mature 8-
wk of age Japanese quails (100 females and 50 males)
were allocated into 5 treatment groups, with 5 replicates,
each of 6 quails (4 females and 2 males). The
experimental diets were isoenergetic and isonitrogenous,
based on corn and soybean meal, and included 0, 3, 6, 9,
and 12% of tomato pomace, respectively. The results
showed that dietary supplementation of tomato pomace
up to 12% significantly improved the immune response,
antioxidant response, and digestive enzymes of Japanese
quail breeders, significantly decreased cholesterol, lowdensity
lipoprotein (LDL), and increased high-density
lipoprotein (HDL). Also, TP increased egg weight, egg
mass and hatchability , where TP 6% had the greatest
egg weight, egg mass and hatchability among other
groups. Moreover, tomato pomace inclusion significantly
had a positive effect on the deposition of lycopene into
the egg yolk and it can be used as a good delivery system
to improve human health. Tomato pomace up to 12%
could be used as an alternative feedstuff in quail
breeders’ diets.
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