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Background <p>Light is a critical environmental factor influencing the physiological, behavioral, and productive responses of birds, including quail. Despite its importance, the optimal light intensity for enhancing growth performance, meat quality, oxidative stress reduction, and immune responses in quail remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of varying light intensities on these parameters in growing quail chicks.</p> Materials and methods <p>The experiment assessed the impact of four light intensities (10, 40, 60, and 100 lx) on growth performance, meat quality, oxidative stress, and immune responses in quail chicks. Performance metrics, meat characteristics, oxidative stress markers, and immune responses were measured to determine the influence of light intensity on bird health and productivity.</p> Results <p>A sigmoidal relationship was observed between light intensity and performance metrics. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) reached its lowest point at 54 lx (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 98.5%), while body weight gain peaked at 50 lx (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 99.3%). Drip loss and cooking loss had inflection points at 43 lx (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 99.8%) and 55 lx (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 78.6%), respectively, indicating that light intensity significantly influenced meat quality. Antioxidant status improved under moderate light intensity, with malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in meat decreasing up to 49 lx (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 78.1%), suggesting reduced oxidative stress. Immune function was enhanced, with immunoglobulin G (IgG) peaking at 55 lx (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 99.8%), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) reaching their highest concentrations near 53 lx (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 99.8%). Stress markers, such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), followed sigmoidal patterns, with optimal levels observed between 48–60 lx.</p> Conclusion <p>Regardless of the light wavelength, light intensity between 50–55 lx was identified as the optimal range for improving growth performance, reducing oxidative stress, minimizing adverse stress responses, and enhancing immune function and meat quality in quail. These findings emphasize the importance of proper light management in quail production systems to maximize productivity and health outcomes.</p>

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Leveraging physiology and modeling to optimize light conditions for growing quail chicks

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月1日

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  • Masoumeh Shahraki,
  • Mahmoud Ghazaghi,
  • Farzad Bagherzadeh-Kasmani,
  • Mehran Mehri

摘要

Background

Light is a critical environmental factor influencing the physiological, behavioral, and productive responses of birds, including quail. Despite its importance, the optimal light intensity for enhancing growth performance, meat quality, oxidative stress reduction, and immune responses in quail remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of varying light intensities on these parameters in growing quail chicks.

Materials and methods

The experiment assessed the impact of four light intensities (10, 40, 60, and 100 lx) on growth performance, meat quality, oxidative stress, and immune responses in quail chicks. Performance metrics, meat characteristics, oxidative stress markers, and immune responses were measured to determine the influence of light intensity on bird health and productivity.

Results

A sigmoidal relationship was observed between light intensity and performance metrics. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) reached its lowest point at 54 lx (R2 = 98.5%), while body weight gain peaked at 50 lx (R2 = 99.3%). Drip loss and cooking loss had inflection points at 43 lx (R2 = 99.8%) and 55 lx (R2 = 78.6%), respectively, indicating that light intensity significantly influenced meat quality. Antioxidant status improved under moderate light intensity, with malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in meat decreasing up to 49 lx (R2 = 78.1%), suggesting reduced oxidative stress. Immune function was enhanced, with immunoglobulin G (IgG) peaking at 55 lx (R2 = 99.8%), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) reaching their highest concentrations near 53 lx (R2 = 99.8%). Stress markers, such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), followed sigmoidal patterns, with optimal levels observed between 48–60 lx.

Conclusion

Regardless of the light wavelength, light intensity between 50–55 lx was identified as the optimal range for improving growth performance, reducing oxidative stress, minimizing adverse stress responses, and enhancing immune function and meat quality in quail. These findings emphasize the importance of proper light management in quail production systems to maximize productivity and health outcomes.