The effect of additional vitamin E on performance, quality eggs and some blood parameters in Japanese quails during short-term contamination with high levels of Ag-coated titanium dioxide nanoparticles

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of extra vitamin E (VE) supplementation on performance and some plasma parameters in laying Japanese quails exposed to Ag-coated titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs). Ninty six Japanese quails (20 weeks) were randomly assigned to 6 treatments with 4 replicates containing 4 birds (3 females and 1 male per cage). Treatments included two levels of VE (0 and 200 mg/kg Diet) and three levels of Ag-coated TiO2 NPs (0, 500 and 1000 mg/kg Diet). All produced eggs of each pen were collected once per day and the number of eggs and average weight of them were recorded to calculate the egg production and egg weight (per bird) throughout the experiment. The conversion ratio of egg weight was calculated for each pen. The results showed that Ag-coated TiO2 NPs supplementation in the mentioned levels resulted in an increased egg production (P0.05). Furthermore, the plasma parameters were not affected by Ag-coated TiO2 NPs (P>0.05). Although, the interaction of Ag-coated Tio2 NPs and VE was not significant (P>0.05), however, the plasma levels of triglycerides and uric acid respectively tended to decrease (P=0.08) and increase (P=0.09) in birds fed VE. In conclusion, Ag-coated Tio2 NPs did not show any toxic effect on the Japanese quail’s performance, egg quality and stress-related plasma parameters, hence, the insignificant effect of VE supplementation on the measured parameters in Ag-coated TiO2-exposed quails is logical.