Clinicopathological changes induced by heat stress, their resolution by minerals and vitamin C supplementation in quails

Abstract

The effects of water supplements i.e. sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), potassium chloride (KCl) and ascorbic acid were evaluated on feed intake, weight gain, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), serum potassium, serum bicarbonate level and on blood parameters in broiler Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) exposed to high ambient temperature (34 0 C, 8hr/d, 0900-1700hr). The quail chicks (n=300; 14 days old) kept at 34 0 C (heat-stressed) were divided into five groups (B, C, D, E, F) of 60 chicks each. Group B with no water supplementations, group C supplemented with (250 mg of L-ascorbic acid/liter of water), group D (125mg of potassium chloride/liter of water), group E (75mg sodium bicarbonate/liter of water), group F (250 mg of L- ascorbic acid +75mg/liter sodium bicarbonate/liter of water, whereas group A chicks (n=60) kept at 22 0 C were fed the basal diet (TN group). Heat-stressed quails of group B, lead to significant decrease (P <0.05) in weight gain, serum potassium and serum bicarbonate level, erythrocytes, monocytes, lymphocyte proportions with increase in H/L ratio from 0.55 to 0.62 whereas the proportions of eosinophil and hematocrit values were not as much significantly affected. Groups (C, D, E and F) supplemented with Vit C, KCl and NaHCO3 respectively at the level of 250 mg/L, 125gm/L and 75mg per liter of drinking water alone and in combination had significantly increased (P<0.05) serum potassium and serum bicarbonate level, erythrocytes, with improved weight gain and FCR. The results of the present study showed that supplementing a combination of vit. C and sodium bicarbonate in drinking water offered a good management practice to reduce heat stress-related decreases in broiler Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).