The effect of green and brown seaweeds supplementation on laying performance, egg quality, serum lipid profile and antioxidant capacity was evaluated in Japanese quails. Five groups of Japanese quails (total = 180; 120 hens + 60 males) of 10 wks old were fed on diets without or with green (GS) and brown (BS) seaweeds, each at 1.5 and 3% for 14 weeks. Results indicate that GS and BS supplementation significantly improved egg-laying rate and increase egg number, egg weight and egg mass and decrease feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, feed consumption (FC) was not significantly affected by experimental treatments. The GS and BS supplemented groups led to improve the eggshell thickness, also helped to improve the egg yolk weight, index and color compared to the control. Supplementing dried GS and BS significantly decreased the value of Haugh unit, total lipids and total cholesterol content of egg yolk as well as displayed higher fertility and hatchability percentages than those of the control group. Quails received dried GS and BS treatments had a higher dressing percentage and a lesser percentage of abdominal fat compared to the control group. Serum total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL values were significantly decreased compared to the control. There were significant effects on enzymatic antioxidant activity of blood serum (malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase). It is concluded that green and brown seaweeds supplementation can improve egg-laying performance and had a positive effect on fertility and hatchability values and resulted in significant reduction in total lipids and total cholesterol in the serum and yolk while enhancing total antioxidant capacity in blood serum as well as positively affecting economic parameters. Thus, these results suggested that green and brown seaweeds can be used safely as a feed additive in diets for laying Japanese quail.

Infection with parasitic nematodes is a serious threat to health and production of small ruminant worldwide. It causes reduction in feed intake, weight gain and eventually death of the host. The primary control method of the nematode infection relied on frequent use of anthelmintic drugs. Unfortunately, this control strategy is no longer effective due to widespread anthelmintic resistance, which necessitates search for novel approaches to control nematodes. Condensed tannin (CT) containing forages have been used as anthelmintic to control parasitic nematodes for years. This paper reviews available information about effects of CT on productivity and health of small ruminants infected with parasitic nematodes. Many of temperate and tropical forages are nutraceutical plants (possess both nutritional and health benefits). Consumption of CT containing forages reduced negative impacts of gastrointestinal parasitism in sheep and goat by regulating establishment of worm as shown in reduced worm burdens, fecal egg count (FEC) and worm fecundity. Parasitized sheep and goats fed forages containing CT had high feed intake and body weight gain, probably due to increase in protein and amino acids supply. Condensed tannins containing feeds result in lighter meat color and tend to improve antioxidant activity. Therefore, the use of CT containing forages to control parasitic nematodes and improve production of small ruminants is one the alternatives to anthelmintic drugs.