Response of growing Japanese quails to dietary concentration of L‐threonine

Abstract

AbstractThe influence of dietary levels of L‐threonine (Thr) on growth and immune response was investigated in growing (0–5 weeks of age) Japanese quails (n = 288). Three dietary treatments were formulated using three levels of Thr [9.6, 10.2 and 11.2 kg−1 diet dry matter (DM)] at a fixed protein level of 233 g kg−1 and an energy level of 12.15 MJ (2900 kcal) metabolizable energy (ME) kg−1 feed dry matter. A metabolism trial with a 3‐day collection period was conducted at the third week of age employing all the birds. The cell‐mediated (using PHA‐P) and humoral (SRBC response) immune responses were measured at the fourth week of age. Carcass traits were assessed at the end of fifth week of age. Body weight gain was lower (P < 0.01) in birds received 9.6 g Thr kg−1 DM than in groups fed 10.2 g or 11.2 g kg−1 DM in the diet, but there was no significant difference in gain between the groups fed 10.2 or 11.2 g Thr kg−1 DM in the diet. Feed intake differed significantly owing to Thr levels being lowest (P < 0.05) at 9.6 g Thr kg−1 DM in the diet. Feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency and energy efficiency improved at the 11.2 g kg−1 level from 0 to 3 weeks of age; however, from 3 to 5 weeks of age, better FCR emanated from a diet with 9.6 g Thr kg−1 DM. The nitrogen balance did not differ (P > 0.05) with Thr level. Carcass traits, relative weight of immune organs and cell‐mediated (PHA‐P) and humoral (SRBC response) immune responses did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) as a result of the dietary treatments. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry