Effect of dietary pomegranate peel powder on productive traits, blood chemistry, economic efficiency and the expression of FSHR and LH-β genes in two strains of laying Japanese quail

The current experiment was designed to study the response of two strains of laying Japanese quail to diet containing different levels (0%, 3%, 6%, and 9%) of pomegranate peel (PP) powder for a period of 6 weeks, on egg production, blood chemistry, carcass traits, expression of FSHR and LH-beta genes, and economic efficiency. A total of 576 6-week-old Japanese quails were made up of two strains: white quails (n=288) and brown quails (n=288). Four treatment groups were randomly distributed for each strain. Each group was subdivided into 6 replicates of 10 birds each. Results revealed that the white strain showed significant (P<0.05) higher values in final body weight (BW), egg quality parameters, weights of dressed carcass, and total return (TR) compared with the brown strain. Brown strain had higher hen day egg production % (HDEP%). A significant (P<0.05) interaction effects between genetic type and the dietary PP powder levels was recorded in growth traits, some egg production traits, and mRNA expression of FSHR and LH-beta genes. Results concluded that all the dietary levels of PP powder up to 9% improved growth traits, egg production traits, fertility% (P=0.001), and hatchability% (P=0.007). Moreover, they have a safely biochemical effect on the level of urea (P=0.002) and the concentration of aspartate amino transferase (AST) (P<0.001). It also enhanced mRNA expression of FSHR and LH-beta genes, but showed non-significant (P>0.05) influence on carcass traits. Economically, the net return (NR) was increased in quails fed on 6% and 9% PP powder diets.