The effect of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume and Thymus vulgaris on lipid oxidation and nitric oxide in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

This study was conducted to evaluate antioxidant activity of Cinnamon and Thyme and its relationship to quails egg and meat production performance. 100 quails were fed five diets: G1: control, G2: control diet + 1% of Thymus powder, G3: control diet + 2% of Thymus powder, G: control diet + 1% of Cinnamon, and G5: control diet + 2% of Cinnamon. A complete randomized design (CRD) with 5 treatments, 3 replicates and 4 birds in each replicate was used. Live weight, egg production, feed intake, and egg production conversion ratio were determined. After blood sampling, Nitric oxide and TBARS values were evaluated. The results indicated that G2 group had highest level and G3 and G5 groups had lowest level of live weight. Quails in the G4 group had significantly higher feed intake (P<0.05). There were no significant difference between treatments on egg production. The best performance and highest FI observed in G2 group (P<0.05). Nitric oxide values were not significantly different. Lowest amounts of TBARS were in G2 group (P<0.05) and highest amounts were in G5 group. In conclusion, this study suggests that using 1% Thymus has beneficial effects on laying performance and also Thyme has high antioxidant capacity in quails.