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ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of green tea (Camellia sinensis) catechin addition to breeder quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) diet on productivity, reproductive performance, egg quality and yolk malondialdehyde (MDA) levels during storage, and some serum biochemical parameters. In this study, a total number of 180 quail, 7 weeks of age were randomly divided into 3 groups (1 control group and 2 treatment groups) with 5 replicates (9 females + 3 males). The control group was fed basal diet; the treatment groups were fed basal diet with 0.2% and 0.4% catechin supplementation for 5 weeks. The results of this study showed that 0.2% and 0.4% catechin addition had no significant effects on live weight, feed intake, egg production, feed efficiency, and egg internal quality (yolk colour, albumen index, yolk index, Haugh units, and pH) (P > .05). Catechin addition reduced egg weight, egg specific gravity, and egg shell thickness (P < .001). The catechin addition to diet significantly diminished MDA concentrations of eggs (P < .05). Serum glucose and triglyceride levels significantly decreased (P < .05) in the 0.4% catechin group, but were not significantly affected (P > .05) in the 0.2% catechin group compared to the control group. The addition of 0.2% catechin significantly increased fertility (P < .05), hatchability (P < .01), and the hatchability of fertile eggs (P < .05). In conclusion, catechin supplementation to breeder quail diet has the potential to increase egg shelf-life and reproductive performance. On the other hand, supplementation with these catechin levels decreased egg weight and egg shell quality.