The Effects of Different Fish Oil Levels on Productive and Reproductive Performance and Blood Attributes In Female Chukar Partridges (Alectoris Chukar)

The effects of different levels of fish oil on productive and reproductive performance as well as serum biochemical indices in female Chukar partridges were evaluated. Thirty-six 1.5-year-old laying Chukar partridges and 12 age-matched males (female: male ratio of 3:1) were divided to four experimental groups (three replicates of three birds each) in a completely randomized, to orally receive 0 (control), 0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 mL of fish oil on a daily basis for 21 successive days where the control birds received 0.3 mL normal saline solution only as the sham control group. The birds had a free access to feed and fresh water and were weighed weekly. The eggs (n=271) were collected once per two hours during the photophase (8 times daily) for the last 21 days of the treatment period (from 7 through 28 d of experiment). Blood samples were collected on d 0, 10, and 21 of the trial to analyze selected biochemical attributes. Although administration of 0.2 mL fish oil increased the egg production and fertility rate, the difference was not significant as compared to the control group (p> 0.05). Feed intake, body weight, and daily weight gain were not influenced by the different levels of fish oil. A significant decrease in egg weight was detected in fish oil-fed birds where partridges receiving 0.2 mL fish oil recorded the lowest egg weight among the experimental groups (p< 0.05). Similarly, the birds administered with different levels of fish oil had lower serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to the control group where the lowest records were found for 0.3 mL fish oil level. The interaction effect of fish oil level and time on serum total cholesterol was significant (p=0.02). The serum levels of LDL and glucose were decreased in partridges receiving 0.3 mL fish oil (p<0.05). No significant changes in the serum concentration of VLDL, HDL, total protein, calcium, and phosphorus were found during the trial. Data suggested that oral exposure of Chukar partridge to 0.2 mL of fish oil had poitive effect on egg production and fertility rate. However, egg weight was decreased. Oral administration of 0.3 mL of fish oil may decrease serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, and glucose in partridges.