Turmeric and Exogenous Enzyme Supplementation Improve Growth Performance and Immune Status of Japanese quail

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of turmeric and exogenous enzymes on performance, oxidative stress and immunity in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica). Birds (N= 10/group) were divided into five groups and three replicate; the first group (T1) was given diet with fish meal and served as the control group. The second group (T2) was given the corn- SBM based diet without any supplements. The third group (T3) was given corn- SBM based diet supplemented with 0.5% turmeric powder. The fourth group (T4) was given corn- SBM based diet supplemented with 0.5% turmeric powder and 0.1% Phytase. The fifth group (T5) was given cornSBM based diet supplemented with 0.5% turmeric powder and 0.1% Panzyme. The supplementations continued for 4 weeks started from first week of age. Serum samples were collected at the end of the experiment. Results revealed that there was a trend toward increase in final body weight and body weight gain in T5 as compared to all other treatments with a significant reduction in feed consumed compared to T1 (control group) and significant improvement in feed efficiency ratio as compared to T1 and T2. There was a significant increase in carcass weight in T1 compared to T4. Groups treated with turmeric and the exogenous enzymes showed significant increase in total protein and albumin on the other hand, significant reduction in liver enzymes was recorded. We observed a significant suppression of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 and TNF-α. Oxidative stress parameters showed significant decrease in MDA level but other parameters as CAT, SOD, GSH and GSH-Px reveled significant increase than control group. These results suggested that addition of turmeric together with Panzyme improved the corn-SBM based diet fed to growing quail by improving feed efficiency and anti-inflammatory activity.