IMPACT OF INCUBATION TEMPERATURE ALTERATION DURING LATE EMBRYOGENESIS ON HAEMATOLOGICAL AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF JAPANESE QUAILS (Coturnix japonica)

Abstract

Evidence abound that incubation temperature manipulation, during embryogenesis often results in improved thermo-tolerance, meat quality and body weight but, there is little or no information on the effects on haematological and serum biochemical indices hence, the present study. A total of 615 Japanese quail eggs were set in 5 artificial incubators, representing the treatments (36oC, 37oC (control), 38oC, 39oC and 40oC) and paused on incubation days 11, 12 and 13, to improve post-hatch performance. The hatched chicks were brooded for 3 weeks and transferred to the grower’s unit and at 8 weeks of age, blood samples were collected and processed for haematological and serum biochemical indices. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in all the haematological indices evaluated except in packed cell volume, red blood cells and neutrophil. Packed cell volume (45.21%) and white blood cells (9.33 x 109 /L) were superior in T4. On the other hand, there were statistical variations (P<0.05) in all the serum biochemical indices determined except, albumin whose value ranged from 13.89g/L (T4) – 17.53g/L (T1), alanine aminotransferase [6.00U/L (T1) – 26.56U/L (T5)], total protein (26.67g/L – 53.42g/L), creatinine (39.30µmol/L – 46.57µmol/L) and cholesterol was lowest (162.42mg/dL) in T5 with the highest (200.12mg/dL) recorded in T1. Since the haematological and serum biochemical indices were within the values reported in healthy birds, incubation temperature alteration to improve post-hatch performance in Japanese quails, may not compromise organ quality vis-à-vis function. Therefore, incubation temperature range of 36 – 40oC, may be adopted with or without pausing during Japanese quail eggs incubation.