Effects of aromatase inhibitors on performance and some reproductive parameters in male quails

The biological effects of aromatase inhibitors in humans and some animals have been studied in several types of research. This study was performed to investigate the effects of two aromatase inhibitors: Letrozole, a synthetic aromatase inhibitor, and Aphrodite, a blend of the medicinal plant containing natural aromatase inhibitor, on blood, reproductive parameters, and also testis and epididymis morphology in male quails. The experiment was conducted with 120 male quails from the age of three weeks in a completely randomized design with three treatments, five replicates, and eight birds in each replicate. Experimental birds in the treatments received distilled water, Aphrodite (100 μL) or letrozole (0.03 mg), via oral gavage. Administration of Aphrodite and letrozole significantly increased the body weight and feed conversion ratio (P<0.05). Feed intake was significantly increased in the Aphrodite received group (P<0.05). Elevated relative weight concurrent with a lowered number of sperm in the testis was also recorded in both Aphrodit and letrozole-treated birds. Serum levels of phosphorus, albumin, total protein, estrogen, and testosterone were not affected by the experimental treatments, but consumption of Aphrodite and letrozole improved sperm viability, acrosome, and membrane integrity (P<0.05). The result showed that application of Letrozole, and Aphrodite, improved production performance and reproductive parameters, such as body weight, feed conversion ratio, sperm viability, and acrosome and membrane integrity in experimental male quails. Letrozole did not reveal any negative effects on the examined parameters and organs and could be considered as a candidate to apply in the breeding programs.The result shows that application of Letrozole and Aphrodite improved productive performance and reproductive parameters, such as body weight, feed conversion ratio, sperm viability, and acrosome and membrane integrity in experimental male quails. Letrozole did not revealed any negative effects on the examined parameters and could be considered as a candidate to apply in the birds breeding programs