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As demand for animal protein rises, raising Japanese quail holds much potentials in bridging the gap. Phytogenics has been reported to have effect on spermiogramic parameters of animals. This research was done to ascertain the spermiogramic parameters of Japanese quails to administration of aqueous solution of egg lime molasses mixture (ELM). Fresh eggs were placed in a dish, followed by 500g of molasses and 1 liter of lime juice. It was then covered for 10 days and the entire mixture was blended. Two hundred day old Japanese quails were assigned to five treatments in a Completely Randomized Design and were subdivided into 4 replicates of 10 birds each. The control (T1) having no administration of ELM, T2 had an inclusion level of 10 mL, T3: 20 mL, T4: 30 mL and T5: 40 mL, all in 500 mL of water. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The study was carried out for 49 days. Data were collected on genitalia morphometry and fertilizing potentials. The birds administered 20 mL of ELM had significantly (p <0.05) higher left epididymis weight (0.36 ± 0.05g) compared to the other groups. The inclusion of ELM in the water significantly influenced (p <0.05) left epididymis volume, paired epididymis volume, left epididymis density, paired epididymis density and spermatozoa reserves in the right epididymis. Testosterone values significantly increased (p <0.05) with increased ELM inclusion. It can be concluded that the administration of ELM did not alter growth parameters however birds that received 20 mL per 500 mL of water had the best reproductive parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese quails are hardy with huge potentials to bridge protein deficiency, hence the need for an assessment of their reproductive potentials. The egg-lime-molasses mixture (ELM) was prepared by placing 10 fresh chicken eggs (average weight of 58 g per egg) in a bowl, after which 1 liter of lime juice and 500 g of molasses were added, then it was covered and left for 10 days. The solution was then blended. Two hundred day-old Japanese quails were assigned to 5 treatments with 40 birds in a completely randomized design (CRD) and 4 replicates of 10 birds each. The control (T1) had no ELM, while treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5 (T2, T3, T4, and T5) had inclusions of 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% ELM in water, respectively. Data were collected on the morphometrics, egg characteristics, follicle stimulating, and leutenizing hormone concentrations. The findings revealed that at the early stage of laying, the administration of ELM did not have a significant effect (p > 0.05) on egg parameters. However, at the latter phase of egg laying, there was a significant effect (p < 0.05) on shell weight and albumen percentage. ELM did not have a significant effect (p > 0.05) on the production performance. There was no significant effect (p < 0.05) on follicular characteristics, while birds administered 30ml ELM/500ml of water had the significantly highest (p < 0.05) weights of oviduct (1.01 ± 0.01 g) and ovary (3.995 ± 0.005 g). Birds administered higher levels of ELM had significantly higher concentrations (p < 0.05) of leutenizing and follicle stimulating hormones. The inclusion of aqueous administration of ELM in drinking water has no detrimental effect on the reproductive potentials of female Japanese quails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]