Influence of a Probiotic Containing Lactobacillus fermentum on the Laying Performance and Egg Quality of Japanese Quails

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of Lactobacillus fermentum, isolated from the intestine of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica), as a probiotic product. The influence of this probiotics preparation on the laying performance and egg quality of quails was evaluated in a 28-day experiment. A fully randomized design was used with four experimental treatments, namely standard feed, standard feed with antibiotic, standard feed with 5.27 x 108 cells/ml L. fermentum and standard feed with 2.35 x 109 cells/ml L. fermentum. The results showed that L. fermentum supplementation did not influence (p>0.05) egg quality parameters (haugh unit, % egg albumen, % egg yolk and egg shell thickness) and egg weight, but significantly improved (p<0.05) total egg production and lowered cholesterol content in egg yolk. In conclusion, L. fermentum may be used as a feed additive in Japanese quail diets to improve egg production and to lower egg cholesterol content.