Dietary Supplementation of Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum) Essential Oil Improves Growth Performance, Oxidative indices, and Lipid Profile of Japanese Quails Exposed to Lead

Introduction: The current survey investigated the alleviating effect of dietary clove (Syzygium aromaticum) essential oil (CEO) in comparison with vitamin C (VC), against the adverse effects of Pb on growth performance, serum oxidative indices, and lipid profile in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica), following oral administration. Methods: 480 one-day-old quails were randomly segregated into 8 groups, which fed with the following diets, via 35 days: basal diet (negative control), basal diet + VC (500 mg/kg), basal diet + CEO (450 mg/kg), basal diet + CEO (100 mg/kg), basal diet + VC (500 mg/kg) + Pb (100 mg/l), basal diet + CEO (450 mg/kg) + Pb (100 mg/l), basal diet + CEO (100 mg/kg) + Pb (100 mg/l), and basal diet + Pb (100 mg/l) (positive control). The data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance and Duncan’s post hoc test. Results: Quails exposed to Pb and treated with CEO had reduced oxidative stress as evidenced by lower concentrations of TBARS and CP, higher activities of SOD, GPx, and CAT, and more improved lipid profile, compared to positive control. Moreover, the alleviating effects of CEO were dose-dependent. Conclusion: The CEO (450 mg/kg) was potentially as effective as or even more potent than VC (500 mg/kg) in alleviating the adverse effects of Pb.