Dietary Gracilariopsis persica enhances hematological parameters and meat fatty acid profile in Japanese quail.

This study investigated the effects of different levels of Gracilariopsis persica (G. persica) seaweed on growth performance, hematology traits, thyroid hormones, oxidative stability and fatty acid profiles of meat in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). A total of 480 one-day-old male Japanese quail chicks were randomly assigned to a completely randomized design with 16 cages, comprising four treatment groups with four replicates per treatment and 30 birds per replicate for six weeks trial duration. The dietary inclusion rates of G. persica seaweed were 0 (control group), 1, 3, and 5%. Dietary supplementation with G. persica had no significant impact on growth performance over the entire experimental period. Red blood cell (RBC) and lymphocyte (LYM) counts significantly increased in quail chicks fed a diet containing 3% G. persica compared to those fed basal diet (P < 0.05). The malondialdehyde (MDA) level in breast muscle at 150 min after oxidation induction was significantly lower in the group supplemented with a 5% G. persica compared to the group receiving a 1% G. persica (P < 0.05). Inclusion of 5% G. persica in the diet significantly increased the concentrations of alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 n-3) in quail meat compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Based on the findings, dietary inclusion of up to 5% G. persica had no adverse effect on growth performance in Japanese quail, while significantly enhancing immune function, improving meat quality, and increasing the omega-3 fatty acid content of the meat.