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The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of peripheral administration of ghrelin on performance and
some serum parameters of Japanese quail. One hundred twenty 21 day-old male Japanese quails were divided into three groups for a
35 days experimental rearing period. The control group (G0) included no injection as an intact, the second group (treatment 1/G50)
received 50 ng ghrelin/kg body weight (BW), and the third group (treatment 2/G100) was given 100 ng ghrelin/kg BW. Ghrelin was
administrated (I. P. administration) at the onset of the experimental rearing period on 21-day old birds. Blood samples were taken at
two different times: 1) 12 hrs after the injection, and; 2) at the end of the rearing period (on day 35). The effects of ghrelin were
evaluated during experimental rearing periods. There were no changes in feed intake and body weight gain (BWG) following ghrelin
administration at different dosages (50 or 100 ng/ kg BW), whereas a minor decrease in feed intake was observed in G100 group. Feed
conversion ratio (FCR) is significantly decreased in G50 and G100, compared to control (P<0.05). Thyroxin (T4) was increased in
ghrelin-administered groups in both samples (short/long-term). In conclusion, ghrelin administration in Japanese quails may improve
FCR, and stimulate secretion of thyroid hormones, without severe effects on feed intake. However, it did not have considerable effects
on carcass characteristics and serum biochemical measures in short and long-terms in Japanese quails
Other ID | JA83RE54NR |
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Journal Section | Research Article |
Authors | |
Publication Date | March 1, 2018 |
Published in Issue | Year 2018Volume: 65 Issue: 1 |