Assessment of Aloe Vera Gel as a Feed Additive on Productive Performance, Reproductive Traits, and Intestine Histology in Japanese Quail (Coturnix Coturnix japonica).

Two experiments were designated to study the effect of Aloe Vera gel as a natural feed additive on productive, reproductive performance, and intestine histology of Japanese quail during growth and laying periods. In the growing period, 240 unsexed chicks were randomly assigned to four treatment groups, 4 replicates each (15 birds/ replicate). The treatments were the control group fed basal diet while T1, T2, and T3 were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.25, 0.50 and 1.0g Aloe Vera gel /kg diet, respectively. In the laying period, 144 birds were distributed into 4 treatments and 4 replicates each. The treatments were the control group fed basal diet, while T1, T2, and T3 were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.75, 1.5 and 3.0g Aloe Vera gel /kg diet, respectively. Results showed positive response to Aloe Vera gel in females only (P ≤ 0.05) during the growing period. Blood parameters in both sexes were within normal physiological levels. The results of duodenum histology in both male and female showed significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in villi heights and VH/CD ratios in all treatments over the control group. Results of the second experiment revealed no treatments effect on egg weight, fertility or hatchability %. Steroid assay indicated that levels of testosterone in males or estrogen in females were decreased (P ≤ 0. 05) by the treatments. In conclusion, Aloe vera gel enhanced growth performance but caution should be exercised with higher doses due to potential negative impacts on reproductive function.