Modulatory role of allicin on production performance and ovarian health in quails exposed to fumonisin B ₁

Importance: Fumonisin B 1 (FB 1 ), a mycotoxin with global prevalence, threatens poultry productivity and health.Allicin (ACN), a natural detoxifying agent, offers potential for mitigating mycotoxin-related damage in livestock.Objective: This study investigated whether ACN enhances production performance in quail exposed to FB1.Methods: A two-phase experiment was conducted.Phase 1 (n = 150 quail) identified 500 mg/ kg ACN as the optimal dose via growth performance and histopathological analysis.Phase 2 (n = 120 quail) allocated birds to four groups: control (Con; basal diet), FB 1 (30 mg/kg), ACN (500 mg/kg), and antagonist (All + FB 1 , 500 mg/kg ACN + 30 mg/kg FB 1 ).Production parameters, ovarian histopathology, serum hormones, and steroidogenesis-related gene expression were analyzed.Results: Compared with the Con group, the ACN group exhibited a lower feed-to-egg ratio (p < 0.05) and elevated yolk specific gravity (p < 0.05).FB 1 exposure increased feed-to-egg ratio (p < 0.05) while decreasing yolk specific gravity and eggshell strength (p < 0.05).The All + FB 1 group reversed these effects, improving average egg weight and eggshell specific gravity (p < 0.05).FB 1 induced ovarian follicular depletion, mitochondrial damage, and reduced serum estradiol and progesterone levels; All + FB 1 restored follicular counts, granulosa cell organization, and mitochondrial integrity (p < 0.05).Conclusions and Relevance: ACN supplementation at 500 mg/kg ameliorates FB 1 toxicity in quail by enhancing egg production, preserving ovarian architecture, and stabilizing steroidogenic pathways.These findings support ACN as a practical feed additive to alleviate mycotoxin impacts in poultry, advancing sustainable farming practices.