TITLE:
Effects of Curcuma longa (Tumeric) Rhizomes Essential Oil on Some Reproductive and Biochemical Parameters in Laying Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica)
AUTHORS:
Herman Victor Ngoumtsop, Herve Tchoffo, Sorelle Nienga Deutcheu, Dorice Azafack Kana, Sorel Nana Tchouhon, Ferdinand Ngoula
KEYWORDS:
Curcuma rhizome Essential Oil, Eggs Characteristics, Females Japanese Quail, Herbal Medicine, Biochemical Parameters and Laying Birds
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Veterinary Medicine,
Vol.15 No.4,
April
1,
2025
ABSTRACT: Domestics animals face many environmental factors including temperature fluctuation, high densities in farms that reduce reproductive performance and lead to economic losses in the farmer. The Curcuma longa rhizomes essential oil due to its bioactive molecules with various pharmacological properties could mitigate the effects of these factors and boost the performance of animals. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Curcuma longa rhizomes essential oil on the reproductive parameters in laying Japanese quails and study the effect on egg yolk oxidative stability during storage. A total of 96 female’s Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) aged 3 weeks and weighing between 122 - 134 g were randomly assigned into 4 dietary treatment groups in a completely randomized design. In 10 weeks, birds in group 1 (control) received orally distilled water (75 μl/kg body weight), while the other three (group tests) during the same period, received respectively by gavage 75, 150 and 225 μl of Curcuma longa rhizomes essential oil per kg body weight. At 13 weeks old, eight birds per group in each treatment were randomly selected and slaughtered, and blood samples were collected for analysis. In addition, 12 eggs (4/unit or cage) were randomly picked out from each treatment for three times and the yolk of each egg was manually isolated and homogenized, and egg yolk samples were collected for oxidative parameters analysis. On the other hand, the remaining females were maintained 4 with one untreated male in identical boxes per treatment, for fertility assessment, eggs characteristics and hatchability traits. Throughout the experiment, biochemical parameters, eggs characteristics, fertility and hatchability traits were analyzed. The serum level of LH, FSH and estradiol; the total hatchability and hatchability of fertile eggs; the egg level of SOD, CAT, and GPx significantly increased (p Curcuma rhizomes essential oil enhances bird reproductive hormone levels, hatchability traits and oxidative yolk parameters in female quails. Nonetheless a comprehensive study needs to be performed in order to evaluate the impact of quail dietary Curcuma longa rhizome essential oil supplementation on eggs biochemical quality as well as its mechanism of action.