Abstract
Quails are exposed to deleterious doses of lead from different sources which decrease the bird performance, and growth with economic loses. This work aimed to explore the antioxidative effect of alpha lipoic acid to counteract the adverse effects of lead in Japanese quails. Forty Japanese quails with both sex were grouped into control, lead acetate (100 ppm in drinking water), alpha lipoic acid (1 g/kg diet), and the final group which received both lipoic acid and lead acetate of the same doses. Lead acetate significantly increased the liver enzymatic biomarkers (ALT, AST, and ALP), and bilirubin levels with decline in the serum total protein and albumin concentrations. Also, lead, copper concentrations in liver tissue were significantly increased with decreased hepatic iron level and serum calcium and phosphorus levels following lead acetate administration. Moreover, lead significantly increased hepatic malondialdehyde level with attenuation of antioxidant enzymes; GPX, GST, CAT, and SOD activities and non-enzymatic antioxidant; GSH concentration. Co-administration of alpha-lipoic acid together with lead acetate significantly improved the liver functions, increased the antioxidant activities, and corrected the serum and hepatic major and trace element concentrations without any effect on hepatic lead level. Our results suggested that alpha lipoic acid can counteract the deleterious effects of lead in quails through attenuation of oxidative stress and enhancement of antioxidative capacity in liver tissues

Key words: Quails; Lead; Lipoic acid; Antioxidant; Malondialdehyde, Copper