The effect of artichoke leaf powder on performance, internal organs weight and some blood parameters of Japanese quail poisoned with carbon tetrachloride

Artichoke with antioxidant properties can reduce poisons effects in poultry. This study conducted to investigate the effects of Artichoke leaf powder on performance, internal organs weight and some blood parameters of Japanese quail poisoned with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). A total of 100 one-day-old Japanese quail chicks were used to study of 4 experimental treatments including control (receiving basal diet), Artichoke leaf powder (basal diet supplemented with 2 percent of Artichoke leaf powder), CCl4 (basal diet plus CCl4, 1 mL/Kg body weight) and Artichoke leaf powder + CCl4. This study was performed as completely randomized design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement, including 2 levels of Artichoke leaf powder (0 and 2 percent) and 2 levels of CCL4 (0 and 1 mL/Kg BW). Experimental treatments did not effect on feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Artichoke leaf powder did not affect relative weight of internal organs, except lungs (P<0.05). CCl4 decreased carcass and breast weights while increased gizzard relative weight (P<0.05). Interaction effects between Artichoke leaf powder and CCl4 showed a decrease for abdominal fat by 2 percent Artichoke leaf powder (P<0.05). Artichoke leaf powder decreased cholesterol while CCl4 increased triglyceride levels in blood serum significantly (P<0.05). This study indicated that Artichoke leaf powder can reduce the effects of oxidative stress of CCl4 on Japanese quail.