Comparative Study Of Growth And HSP70 Gene Expression In Japanese Quails Fed Different Levels Of Black Solder Fly, Hermetia Illucens

Abstract Edible insects are considered a promising nutritious, sustainable alternative protein source for feed. The effect of black solder fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens meal on growth performance, heat stress-responses and heat shock protein (HSP70) gene expression in sexed Japanese quail were assessed. The quails were fed on three different diets containing 100% soybean meal (diet A), 50% soybean and 50% BSF meal (diet B) and 100% BSF meal (diet C). Results revealed that overall live body weight, the relative weight of carcass, heart, liver, spleen, bursa of Fabricius, small intestine and sex organs of Japanese quail were significantly increased for diet B and C as compared to diet. The interaction of dietary treatment and heat stress had a significant effect on the diet A group's live body weight, the relative weight of carcass, and measured organs, whereas the diet B and diet C groups had no or the least effect on their traits. Investigating HSP70 gene expression with heat stress exposure in control diet A was 13.215. While, the diet B was expressed of 8.487 with the HSP70 gene. Moreover, the gene expression of the birds fed on diet C were 3.203, respectively. Our findings point to a beneficial role for BSF meal as a quail feed in improving growth performance and combating the negative effects of heat stress exposure on bird growth.