Effect of Aluminium Toxication on Performance, Egg Quality, Serum Chemistry and Organs of Japanese Quail and Efficacy of Phosphorus Supplementation on Aluminium Induced Alterations

This study was conducted to investigate the toxic effects of various levels of aluminium (Al) on performance, egg quality, blood chemistry as well as organs of laying hens and effects of dietary phosphorus (P) on Al induced alterations in quail. Quail were fed 0, 100, 200, 1000 and 2000 mg kg 1 Al in diets or the same levels of Al plus 1.022% P in diets for 6 weeks. None of the Al levels affected live weight, food consumption, feed efficiency and egg weight. At a levels of 100 and 200 mg kg 1 Al had no effect on egg production and egg quality. Additional P improved egg specific gravity in 100 and 200 mg kg 1 Al groups. Addition of 2000 mg kg 1 Al reduced egg production. Additional P increased egg production in 2000 mg kg 1 Al group. Egg specific gravity was increased and interior egg quality was decreased in sulphate controls and treatment groups. Additional P had no effect on increased egg specific quality due to high levels of Al. All of Al levels decreased total protein, globulin, total cholesterol levels and ALP activity and increased glucose, Mg, Cu levels and A/G ratio. Serum Pi levels were slightly increased with additional P. Aluminium did not affect kidneys. However, 1000 mg kg 1 Al resulted in moderate, 2000 mg kg 1 Al resulted in severe fat degeneration in the liver. The effects of additional P on these parameters were variable. In conclusion, especially 2000 mg kg 1 Al improved egg shell quality but adversely affected production parameters and caused alterations in the liver and biochemical parameters and additional P had limited effects on these parameters in Japanese quail.