Effects of beta-carotene supplementation on beta-carotene, retinoid and malondialdehyde concentration of blood serum and liver in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The effect of beta-carotene (BC) supplementation was investigated in the bl ood plasma and liver of Japanese quail A further aim was to determine the a ntioxidant effect of BC. The quail Layers were divided into four groups of feeding regimes with 20 quails in each group, Group A was fed with commerci al fodder containing 10 000 IU vitamin A Groups BC-I, BC-IZ and BC-III rece ived vitamin A-free fodder, which was completed with 10 000 IU, 50 000 IU a nd 100 000 TCT stoichiometric amount retinol equivalent BC (Rovimix BC 10%) respectively, BC, retinoid (retinol and retinyl-palmitate) and malondialde hyde (MDA) concentration of plasma and liver were determined at the beginni ng, as well as on 2nd, 4th and Gth weeks of the experiment The BC concentra tion of plasma and liver increased significantly by BC supplementation, Inc rease of BC level was neither dose nor time dependent in the Liver but in t he plasma saturation was detectable. The MDA content of liver decreased due to BC supplementation, as a result of the scavanger effect of BC.