Adult Quail Research Articles

Marek's Disease in a Flock of Japanese Quails (Coturnix japonica) in Germany.

A case of increased mortality was investigated at a German farm housing Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) for egg production. Different age groups were kept in aviaries in one barn. The quail chicks had diarrhea and the adults were emaciated, some also with diarrhea and conjunctivitis. Postmortem examination showed gross tumorlike lesions in 7 of 15 adult quails examined, with ocular lesions in 2 of them. On histopathological examination, infiltrates of monomorphic round cells were found in liver, spleen, lung, and proventriculus. In the eyes of two quails, similar cells were infiltrating the choroid layer, limbus, and adjacent parts of the cornea. Malignant lymphoma was diagnosed. Immunohistochemical examination identified tumor cells as T cells, and Mardivirus gallidalpha 2-specific PCR was positive for five quails with gross lesions. Additionally, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae were detected in the chicks and Clostridium spp. and coccidia in the adults. Marek's EcoQ protein (Meq) gene from Mardivirus gallidalpha 2 was sequenced and analyzed, confirming Marek's disease. The results of our examinations demonstrate that the ocular lesions were caused by Marek's disease and that the Meq gene from Mardivirus gallidalpha 2 was detected in the flock of quails. As a control strategy for Marek's disease in quails, an all-in/all-out system was introduced. Additional laying quails acquired from a breeder at 35 days of life were vaccinated at stabling with a combined turkey herpesvirus (HVT)-Rispens vaccine and 14 days later with a Rispens vaccine. Subsequently, the losses and laying rates returned to normal.

The incorporation of sumac seed powder (Rhus coriaria L.) into the diet of quail breeders as a novel feed additive

A total of 150 adult quails, aged 8 wk, were divided into 5 groups to study the effect of sumac seed powder on reproductive and productive parameters, egg quality, digestive enzymes, and quail breeders' blood profiles. Dietary supplements containing sumac powder were formulated as follows: group 1 (G1) (control, only basal diet); group 2 (G2) (basal diet + 1 g sumac powder/kg diet); group 3 (G3) (basal diet + 2 g sumac powder/kg diet); group 4 (G4) (basal diet + 3 g sumac powder/kg diet); and group 5 (G5) (basal diet + 4 g sumac powder/kg diet). The feed conversion ratio was significantly higher at all levels of sumac powder (P < 0.05) compared to the control group (G1). Overall, during the study (8-16 wk), quail-fed 3 g sumac powder/kg diet (G4) showed no significant increase (P > 0.05) in the feed intake compared to the control group. Sumac powder supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) increased egg number, egg weight, egg mass, fertility, and hatchability. While supplementing with sumac powder did not impact other egg quality parameters, it did significantly (P < 0.05) increase yolk percentage, Haugh unit, and unit surface shell weight. Furthermore, when compared to the control group (G1), birds given 2, 3, or 4 g of sumac powder/kg diet showed a significant improvement (P < 0.05) in hematological parameters such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and hemoglobin, as well as a decrease in glucose levels. Feeding quail with a 3 g sumac powder/kg diet (G4) resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) higher globulin levels and improved albumin/globulin ratio compared to other treatments and control (G1). Sumac powder intake significantly (P < 0.05) reduced plasma lipid profile, liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase), and kidney functions (creatinine, and urea). Furthermore, the supplementation of sumac powder resulted in a substantial increase (P < 0.05) in the levels of amylase, lipase, and protease. Sumac powder administration also significantly (P < 0.05) improves immunity by boosting IgM, IgG, IgA, and lysozyme levels in quail breeders' plasma. Supplementing with sumac powder, on the other hand, increased levels of reduced glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. The results of the current study indicated that the addition of 1, 2, 3, and 4 g of sumac powder to the diet of Japanese quail breeders led to improvements in egg quality, digestive enzymes, reproductive and productive performances, and most blood hematological and biochemical parameters.

Macroscopic Investigation of Muscles Affecting The Ankle (Articulatio Tarsi) And Digit Joints (Articulationes Digiti Pedis) in Quail (Coturnix Coturnix) and Pigeon (Columba Livia)

The locomotor system consists of two separate parts, the passive motion system and the active locomotor system. While the passive locomotor system consists of bones and joints, the active locomotor system consists of muscles. The strongest connection between bones, joints and muscles is seen in the feet. Feet help different functions in poultry. One of these functions is the activity of the perch. Perching is an instinctive behavior, especially in chickens. There are different views on the perch. Among these views, the mechanisms reported as TKM and ODFM support each other. In our study, the muscles acting on the ankle and digit joints of quails and perching pigeons that do not have the ability to perch were examined macroscopically. For this purpose, hind legs of 20 adult quails and 20 adult pigeons were used. Live weights were determined with a precision scale. They were euthanized by cervical dislocation. After the right and left legs of the euthanized animals were separated from the body, their left legs were fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution for dissection. Dissection was carried out simultaneously for both species. As a result of the study, it was determined that MFDL and MFHL muscle tendons, cartilage protrusions at the level of the metatarsophalangeal joint and pits in the tendon sheaths were more prominent in pigeons than in quails. If these protrusions and pits perform the perching activity by locking together like a zipper, it can be interpreted that pigeons are more suitable for perching activity than quails anatomically.

Detection of Cryptosporidium‎‎ spp in Bobwhite Quails (Coturnix coturnix) by ‎Traditional Methods in Baghdad City, Iraq

Cryptosporidiosis is one of the most important zoonosis diseases distributed ‎worldwide causes severe diarrhea in animals and is lethal in quails. This study detected ‎Cryptosporidium‎‎ spp. in quails in Baghdad province Iraq by flotation and staining methods ‎and compared these results with PCR results from the previous study. This research was ‎carried out from January 2022 to September 2022. Out of 180 quails (Coturnix coturnix) in ‎total were investigated. The overall infection rate of Cryptosporidium‎‎ spp. in quails was ‎‎23.9% (43/180). Young quail had a greater infection rate of 44.2% (19/43) while adult ‎quails had a lower infection rate of 17.2% (24/137). Finding from the research revealed that there were ‎no significant differences between males and females and highly significant differences ‎among the months of study with the highest infection rate being 45% (9/20) in April, and ‎the lowest infection rate being 10% in June and July. This disease was presented in birds ‎and birds act as a mechanical carrier of Cryptosporidium‎‎ spp. between a conventional acid-‎fast staining procedure and PCR test, PCR can not only detect Cryptosporidium‎‎ but is also ‎able to differentiate between what appear to be host-adapted genotypes of the parasite with ‎high sensitivity and specificity‎‎‎.

Evaluation of the Chronic Reproductive Toxicity of a Fluorine-Free Firefighting Foam and a Short-Chain Fluorinated Foam to Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus).

The development of fluorine-free firefighting foams has been proposed as a way to reduce the adverse environmental consequences of foams containing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. While there are likely fewer environmental and ecological concerns with these new fluorine-free foams in terms of persistence and bioaccumulation, it is prudent to evaluate the ecotoxicity of these fluorine-free foam products given the absence of data. Oral chronic drinking water exposure studies on adult pairs of northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) were conducted with a short-chain fluorinated and a fluorine-free foam: Buckeye Platinum Plus C6 and National Foam Avio Green KHC, respectively, at three exposure concentrations (0.01%, 0.1%, and 0.25%). Adults were monitored for survival, growth, and reproductive output; and chicks were monitored for survival and growth. Growth parameters in adult quail were not affected by exposure to the Buckeye or Avio foam. However, liver lipid content was higher in adult males exposed to the Buckeye foam or the Avio foam at the highest exposure concentrations. Chicks were heavier and had higher growth rates after adult exposure to Avio at the highest exposure level (0.25%) and to Buckeye at the two lowest exposure levels but not at the highest exposure level. The two adverse reproductive effects observed from avian exposure to Buckeye were an increased percentage of cracked eggs and earlier arrested embryonic development. Similarly, chronic exposure to Avio also induced earlier arrested embryonic development. These results show that the fluorine-free foams tested did cause toxicity to bobwhite quail, but whether they pose a risk at contaminated sites requires further laboratory and field study and additional exposure data. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:211-221. © 2023 SETAC.

Morphometric examination of hind limb and foot bones and fibre type composition of crus region muscles in quail and pigeon.

In this study, the foot and hind limb bones of pigeons and quails were measured morphometrically. Additionally, microscopic classifications of the muscles affecting the foot and digit joints were made. For the macroscopic inspection, 40 birds were used, including 20 adult quails (10 males, 10 females) and 20 adult pigeons (10 males, 10 females). Diethyl ether was inhaled to anaesthetize the animals. The poultry animals were put under anaesthesia, and radiographic pictures of their left feet were obtained individually. DAP measurements were performed separately from the images taken with the Image J program. Then, they were euthanized by cervical dislocation under diethyl ether anaesthesia. The right legs of the euthanized animals were preserved in a 10% neutral formalin solution for histology procedures just after the legs were dissected from the trunk. Morphometric measurements of bone lengths were made in accordance with the measurement points specified by von den Driesch. After fixation for histological examination, routine tissue follow-up was performed and the tissues were embedded in paraffin. The presence of SO-type I, FG-type IIb and FOG-type IIa in 4-5μ sections taken from paraffin blocks was demonstrated using the indirect streptavidin-biotin-complex method from immunohistochemical methods. The result of our study was statistically evaluated at p < 0.05 and p < 0.001 levels. The length of the hallux, the articulation point to the TMT and the fibre arrangements in the two flexor group muscles showed that the hind limbs and feet of the pigeons had a more favourable anatomical and histological structure for the perching movement.

The use of a polyphenol-carbon complex from the Antarctic black yeast Nadsoniella nigra in the diet of poultry and their effect on the hatching quality of quail eggs of laying hens

The results of research on the influence of the polyphenol carbon complex from the Antarctic black yeast Nadsoniella nigra, which is additionally introduced into compound feed, are presented on the hatching qualities of quail eggs. Experimental studies were conducted in the conditions of the problematic research laboratory of feed additives of the National University of Bioresources and Nature Management of Ukraine. The material for the scientific and economic experiment was adult quail of the Pharaoh breed. Experiments were conducted using the group method. Accordingly, 192 heads of quails were selected for the experiment at 42 days, from which four groups were formed according to the principle of analogs - a control group and three experimental ones, 48 heads in each with four replications). When selecting analogs, the sex, age, and body weight of the bird were taken into account. The main period lasting 210 days, was divided into seven sub-periods, each of which lasted 30 days. The composition of the compound feed for the quails of the control and experimental groups and the set and number of ingredients in it were identical. The chemical composition of the combined feed used for feeding quails was the same and differed only in the content of PFC. During the experiment, the preservation of livestock and productivity were recorded, and feed conversion was also calculated. It was experimentally established that adding 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg polyphenol-carbon complex from the Antarctic black yeast Nadsoniella nigra to compound feed positively affects the hatching properties of eggs and, at the same time, reduces the percentage of hatching waste. At the same time, in the birds of the 3rd experimental group, which were fed 0.5 mg/kg of PFC as part of the compound feed, respectively, the percentage of fertilization was 2.2%; hatchability of eggs by 3.8%; and the yield of young by 5%, compared to birds that were not given PFC compound feed.

Hepatic Transcriptomic Responses to Ethinylestradiol in Two Life Stages of Japanese Quail.

Chemical risk assessment for avian species typically depends on information from toxicity tests performed in adult birds. Early-life stage (ELS) toxicity tests have been proposed as an alternative, but incorporation of these data into existing frameworks will require knowledge about the similarities/differences between ELS and adult responses. The present study uses transcriptomics to assess hepatic gene expression in ELS and adult Japanese quail following exposure to ethinylestradiol (EE2). Prior to incubation, ELS quail were dosed with measured EE2 concentrations of 0.54, 6.3, and 54.2 µg/g egg weight via air cell injection. Adult quail were fed a single dose of EE2 at nominal concentrations of 0, 0.5, and 5 mg/kg body weight by gavage. Liver tissue was collected from five to six individuals per dose group at mid-incubation for ELS quail and 4 days after dosing for adults. A total of 283 and 111 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in ELS and adult quail, respectively, 16 of which were shared across life stages. Shared DEGs included estrogenic biomarkers such as vitellogenin genes and apovitellenin-1. For the dose groups that resulted in the highest number of DEGs (ELS, 6.3 µg/g; adult, 5 mg/kg), 21 and 35 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were enriched, respectively. Ten of these pathways were shared between life stages, including pathways involved with signaling molecules and interaction and the endocrine system. Taken together, our results suggest conserved mechanisms of action following estrogenic exposure across two life stages, with evidence from differential expression of key biomarker genes and enriched pathways. The present study contributes to the development and evaluation of ELS tests and toxicogenomic approaches and highlights their combined potential for screening estrogenic chemicals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2769-2781. © 2022 SETAC.

Acute Oral Toxicity of Nonfluorinated Fire-Fighting Foams to Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus).

Long-chain per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been the active ingredients in firefighting foams for more than 50 years. Due to their extreme persistence, regulatory agencies are concerned about their potential adverse environmental and health impacts. Recently, nonfluorinated chemical constituents have been proposed for use in fire-fighting foams in an effort to reduce the potential negative impacts of PFAS on terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna. However, it is important to also determine the potential ecotoxicity of these nonfluorinated foam products, because we have little toxicological information for many of them. In preparation for a chronic study, we conducted an acute (24-h) oral toxicity test in northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) using six different fluorine-free foams; five were commercial foams (BioEx ECOPOL A, Fomtec Enviro USP, National Foam Avio Green KHC, National Foam NFD 20-391, and Solberg Re-Healing Foam), and one was an experimental foam (NRL 502W). A short-chain PFAS-based foam (Buckeye Platinum Plus C6) was also evaluated for comparative purposes. Groups of five birds were initially pseudogavaged with a volume of each product corresponding to a "limit" (the highest exposure concentration expected to occur environmentally). Only one bird (1 of 35) died during the limit test, indicating that all seven products have an acute median lethal dose in adult quail at or above the limit (~1500 mg/kg body wt). Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2003-2007. © 2022 SETAC.

Hot eggs make fast mitochondria

Mitochondria are fascinating organelles that have achieved fame on the internet as the ‘powerhouse of the cell’, producing 90% of the cell's energy in the form of ATP. Based on this essential role, it is thought that differences in mitochondria determine the strengths and weaknesses of individuals and even entire species. As a result, there's interest in trying to understand how the environment and genetics shape mitochondrial function. In their recent study, Antoine Stier from the University of Turku, Finland, and colleagues from the University of Glasgow, UK, incubated Japanese quail eggs (Coturnix japonica) at different temperatures and studied changes in how their mitochondria performed from early-life into adulthood. They wanted to know whether animals can adjust how their mitochondria perform, depending on the temperature they experience before birth, and whether these changes are maintained as they develop into adults.The scientists incubated Japanese quail eggs at high (38.4°C), medium (37.7°C) and low (37.0°C) temperatures – a temperature range that maximizes differences in how quickly embryos grow. They also included an unstable temperature treatment (dipping briefly, several times, to 29.5°C from 37.7°C) to mimic when the mother leaves the nest to forage. When the chicks hatched, the researchers transferred the animals to 21°C as they grew, collecting blood samples at 20 days of age and at 60 days to investigate how the mitochondria in the blood cells were affected by the temperature at which the chick embryos developed and how they changed after the chicks hatched and grew into adults. The team measured the oxygen consumption rate of the mitochondria, which is tightly linked with the amount of ATP these structures can produce, the amount of DNA damage they had incurred and the length of the telomere structures that cap chromosomes – which shorten with age.The team found that the oxygen consumption rates of the mitochondria of the chicks incubated at 38.4°C were higher than those of the chicks from colder eggs, probably because the embryos in the warmer eggs developed faster and needed more energy to support their rapid growth. In addition, the mitochondria of the adult quails that had developed in hot eggs had higher oxygen consumption rates, meaning that this increase was not temporary and that the thermal environment that these birds experience as an egg shapes their ability to produce ATP throughout their lives. But the blood cells with mitochondria that consumed oxygen faster only had a small increase in the amount of DNA damage and no change in telomere length – which is surprising because overactive mitochondria that consume more oxygen can produce toxins that damage DNA and cause aging.As the adult birds aged, their mitochondrial oxygen consumption decreased, probably reflecting the extreme energy demands they experienced as they grew rapidly during the first 20 days after hatching. When the team checked the oxygen consumption rates of the mitochondria of the birds that were incubated at unstable temperatures – as if their mothers kept wandering off – they found they were similar to those of birds incubated at a constant 37.7°C. This tells us that when the environmental temperature is unstable, these birds use the temperature that they experience the most as the cue to program their mitochondria throughout life.The role that the environment a developing embryo experiences has on programming mitochondrial function after birth is a research area with major implications for human health and conservation efforts. Stier and colleagues have shown that something as simple as increasing incubation temperature can cause a change in mitochondrial function that persists into adulthood. Understanding how these changes in mitochondrial function come about and whether they are important for improving whole-organism performance and ultimately survival will be critical areas of future research.

Resemblance in Physiological Systems during Phylogeny and Ontogeny

Although it is not certain whether some characteristics of the mammalian fetus/embryo may repeat the adult stage of ancestral vertebrates, comparison of these two time‐dependent processes should provide new insight into the molecular and functional evolution and its significance. Here we discuss two important biological models: 1) Renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) and 2) Urine concentration mechanism.Renin is a hormone and substrate‐dependent enzyme secreted mostly by the juxtaglomerular (JG) cells of the afferent arteriole located at the vascular pole of the glomerulus. Renin acts on renin substrates and forms angiotensin (Ang) I which is subsequently converted to Ang II by Ang converting enzyme (ACE). Renin containing cells evolved early both in phylogeny and ontogeny, whereas, the macula densa (tubule component), and extracellular mesangium appeared at later stages.Renin containing cells are distributed more widely intrarenally and/or extrarenally in early stages during phylogeny and ontogeny. Granulated cells and renin expression become progressively restricted to JG areas with phylogenic and ontogenic advancement. Kidney renin activities tend to be higher in primitive fishes than in more advanced, while the relative level of extrarenal renin expression to that of the kidney is higher in embryos than in more mature chicken and mice. Extra renal renin is noted in primitive vertebrates. Also, in both the mammalian fetus and nonmammalian vertebrates, the vasopressor and vascular action of Ang II evolved early. A single application of ACE inhibitors decreases the basal level of blood pressure and increase plasma renin activity in conscious adult teleost fish. Ang II stimulates, whereas ACE inhibitors inhibit, arteriolar branching in zebrafish. Likewise, the RAS is important during early ontogeny of mammals in vascular growth and development.Distal tubules of freshwater trout show secondary active NaCl cotransport mechanism without accompaniment of water and act as the so‐called “diluting segment.” Teleost fish cannot concentrate urine because they lack structural and functional countercurrent mechanisms. Only birds and mammals can form urine clearly hyperosmotic to plasma and conserve body water. The structure and function of adult quail kidneys have similarities to those of developing rodents. Both have a loop of Henle, consisting of descending limb and thick ascending limb, but they lack the thin ascending limb. Countercurrent urine concentration of adult quail and developing rodents heavily depends on NaCl recycling without participation of urea transport. Moreover, in both adult quail and developing rodent kidneys, aquaporin 2 gene expression and protein are present in the apical membrane of the collecting tubules, but the water conservation effect of neurohypophysial hormones is smaller than that of adult rodent kidneys. Hence, comparing these two time‐dependent processes may provide new insights into the interpretation of existing findings and provide perspective for future investigations.

Decrease in Ca2+ Concentration in Quail Cardiomyocytes Is Faster than That in Rat Cardiomyocytes

Mammals and birds have quicker heart rates compared to other species. Mammalian cardiomyocytes have T-tubule membranes that facilitate rapid changes in Ca2+ concentrations. In contrast, bird cardiomyocytes do not possess T-tubule membranes, which raises the question of how birds achieve fast heartbeats. In this study, we compared the changes in Ca2+ concentration in cardiomyocytes isolated from adult quails and rats to elucidate the mechanism resulting in rapid heart rates in birds. Cardiomyocytes isolated from quails were significantly narrower than those isolated from rats. When Ca2+ concentration changes in the entire cardiomyocytes were measured using Fura-2 acetoxymethyl ester (AM), the time to peak was statistically longer in quails than in rats. In contrast, the decay time was markedly shorter in quails than in rats. As a result, the total time of Ca2+ concentration change was shorter in quails than in rats. A spatiotemporal analysis of Ca2+ concentration changes in quail cardiomyocytes showed that the decrease in Ca2+ concentration was faster in the center of the cell than near the cell membrane. These results suggest that avian cardiomyocytes achieve rapid changes in Ca2+ concentration by increasing the Ca2+ removal capacity in the central part of the cell compared to mammalian cardiomyocytes.

Endoparasitism in commercial quails around Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria

The enteric parasites of quails in Umuahia were investigated to determine their prevalence. Three hundred faecal samples, collected on voiding, were screened, with two hundred and five of them from deep litter and ninety-five from cages. Faecal analysis was conducted using the flotation and Mcmaster techniques. The overall prevalence of helminth infection was 167(55.6%) while that for coccidian oocysts was 89(29.6%). The prevalence of the nematode parasites detected in this study includes Ascaridia spp. 63(21.0%), Heterakis spp. -41(13.6%), Capillaria spp. -33(11.0%), Syngamus spp. 20(6.6%) and Strongyloides spp. 10(3.3%). The age-wise prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in young and adult quails was 41(42.2%) and 126(62.0%) respectively. Also, 33(34.0%) and 56(27.5%) young and adult quails were infected with coccidian oocysts, respectively. Enteric nematode parasites found in the cage managed and deep litter managed quails were 31(32.6%) and 136(66.3%) respectively. Also, 63(30.7%) and 26(27.3%) deep litter and cage managed quails respectively were infected with coccidian oocytes. It was concluded that gastrointestinal nematode and coccidian infections of quails are common in quails in Umuahia area regardless of the management system. This necessitates appropriate sustainable control measures to enhance a profitable poultry enterprise.

Phenotypic and morphometric characterization of the various strains of quail raised in Algeria

Since the absence of studies dealing with the genetic biodiversity and phenotypical description of different breeds of quails in Algeria, we have initialized this work in order to investigate and to contribute in a characterization of the quails in some states. A total of 206 adult quails, distributed in 09 regions in Algeria from which 11 morphometric measurements and 11 phenotypic characters were selected for this study. The measurements Lie (wing length), Lq (tail length), Lc (neck length), Dg (big finger), Dm (medium finger), Dp (small finger), Lt (total length), Lts (tarsus length), Ab (abdomen), Lgp (chest width), Lbe (beak length), W (weight). A multiple correspondence factorial analysis was performed on the phenotypic characteristics, and reveals two main component that constitute 19.61% and 13.41% of inertia, percentages respectively related to the length of wing, of the tail, of neck, big finger, middle finger, little finger, the total length of abdomen, of the tarsal width, width of the chest, the length of the beak and weight. This analysis has made it possible to establish remarkable phenotypic differences which have implications to be taken into consideration in the characterization and conservation program of the species. We have found that the sex has no effect on the measurements parameters, except the weight. However, the effect pf the strain may have some differences on the morphometric measurements studied. Finally, it should be noted that the present work of morphometric characterization of high quail strains in Algeria deserves to be continued and developed in the future, based on the determination of zootechnical performances (productive and reproductive) of these strains, and also the preservation of this genetic heritage deemed important.

Neurotranscriptomic changes associated with chick-directed parental care in adult non-reproductive Japanese quail

For many species, parental care critically affects offspring survival. But what drives animals to display parental behaviours towards young? In mammals, pregnancy-induced physiological transformations seem key in preparing the neural circuits that lead towards attraction (and reduced-aggression) to young. Beyond mammalian maternal behaviour, knowledge of the neural mechanisms that underlie young-directed parental care is severely lacking. We took advantage of a domesticated bird species, the Japanese quail, for which parental behaviour towards chicks can be induced in virgin non-reproductive adults through a sensitization procedure, a process that is not effective in all animals. We used the variation in parental responses to study neural transcriptomic changes associated with the sensitization procedure itself and with the outcome of the procedure (i.e., presence of parental behaviours). We found differences in gene expression in the hypothalamus and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, but not the nucleus taeniae. Two genes identified are of particular interest. One is neurotensin, previously only demonstrated to be causally associated with maternal care in mammals. The other one is urocortin 3, causally demonstrated to affect young-directed neglect and aggression in mammals. Because our studies were conducted in animals that were reproductively quiescent, our results reflect core neural changes that may be associated with avian young-directed care independently of extensive hormonal stimulation. Our work opens new avenues of research into understanding the neural basis of parental care in non-placental species.

Dietary Exposure to Low Levels of Crude Oil Affects Physiological and Morphological Phenotype in Adults and Their Eggs and Hatchlings of the King Quail (Coturnix chinensis).

Despite the current knowledge of the devastating effects of external exposure to crude oil on animal mortality, the study of developmental, transgenerational effects of such exposure has received little attention. We used the king quail as an animal model to determine if chronic dietary exposure to crude oil in a parental population would affect morpho-physiological phenotypic variables in their immediate offspring generation. Adult quail were separated into three groups: (1) Control, and two experimental groups dietarily exposed for at least 3 weeks to (2) Low (800 PAH ng/g food), or (3) High (2,400 PAH ng/g food) levels of crude oil. To determine the parental influence on their offspring, we measured metabolic and respiratory physiology in exposed parents and in their non-exposed eggs and hatchlings. Body mass and numerous metabolic (e.g., O2 consumption, CO2 production) and respiratory (e.g., ventilation frequency and volume) variables did not vary between control and oil exposed parental groups. In contrast, blood PO2, PCO2, and SO2 varied among parental groups. Notably, water loss though the eggshell was increased in eggs from High oil level exposed parents. Respiratory variables of hatchlings did not vary between populations, but hatchlings obtained from High oil-exposed parents exhibited lower capacities to maintain body temperature while exposed to a cooling protocol in comparison to hatchlings from Low- and Control-derived parents. The present study demonstrates that parental exposure to crude oil via diet impacts some aspects of physiological performance of the subsequent first (F1) generation.

Haematological Profile of Naturally Infected Haemoparasite Positive and ‎Negative Japanese Quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Commercial quail farming is economically viable and feasible because quails are resistant tovarious diseases. But despite this reported resistance, little is known about its resistance tohaemoparasites. This study evaluates the haematological changes and haemoparasiticinfection of commercially raised quails. Fifty-seven adult quails raised on deep litter wererandomly selected for blood sampling in this study. Two milliliters of blood was collectedaseptically for complete blood count while blood smears were used for the determination ofhaemoparasite morphological characteristics. Haemoproteus spp. Plasmodium gallinaceum, and Leucocytozoon spp. were identified in this study. 38 (67%) of the quails were positive forsingle or mixed infection, 29 (51%) were positive for single infection and 9(16%) for mixedinfection. There was a (P&lt;0.05) decrease in PCV, Hb, and RBC counts, and an increase inTWBC and eosinophil count in birds with haemoparasite as compared to the uninfected birds.There was (P&lt;0.05) increase in total white blood cell and heterophil count in the plasmodiumpositive birds. Also, total white blood cell, heterophil, lymphocyte and eosinophil count were(P&lt;0.05) increased in the Leucocytozoon positive birds. This increase was also observed inbirds with mixed infection. The high incidence of haemoparasitic infection in apparentlyhealthy quail, with significant haematological indices deviated from normal, is consistentwith reports of the resistance of quail to various disease diseases which thus includeshaemoparasitic infection.

Impact of bior and butofanon some parameters of lipid metabolism in adult quail placed in reconditioning

Taking into account the current trends in the development of the most developed branch of animal husbandry – poultry farming, it should be noted that the use of ecologically clean biological preparations based on plant raw materials is a relevant topic for research in the cultivation of various types of poultry, in particular quail. The purpose of the study is to analyze the effect of the BioR preparation, made according to the original technology from the biomass of cyanobacteria Spirulina platensis, on the physiological and metabolic status of groups of quail that are subject to recovery. The biological material was 150 quail at the end of the laying cycle divided into 3 batches of 50 birds. The tested preparation was administered intramuscularly to the quails two times consecutively at the onset of the study and secondly 14 days after the first administration at a dose of 0.5 ml/head. In another experimental batch, the commercial product Butofan was administered to compare the obtained results. Birds of the control group received 0.5 ml of the solution of NaCl of 0.9% in both terms. The birds included in the study were analogous in terms of race, age, body weight, and physiological status. During all time of the study, quails were monitored: clinical parameters, body weight, and the number of eggs. In addition, for laboratory investigations, blood was collected from five quails at the start of the study before the tested preparations were administered and then 2 times during the study. It has been established that the tested remedies do not cause adverse reactions or deviations in quails’ health. Moreover, BioR showed adaptive properties, reflected in body temperature lower by 0.32ºC than the control group and 0.18ºC than the group treated with Butofan. Similar manifestations were also found in birds’ breathing. Biochemical research performed on quails that have benefited from the BioR remedy reveals a true decrease in total lipids in one investigation and an increase in triglycerides at this stage and their decrease at the end of the study. Additionally, both BioR and Butofan remedies induced an increase in the blood serum of ß-lipoproteins at both stages of research, while cholesterol values did not show any essential changes. In conclusion, we can state that the BioR product has a beneficial effect on quail, including lipid metabolism. It has been proven that due to the use of the drug, a pronounced normalizing effect on the lipid metabolism of the experimental group of quails was obtained, due to a decrease in total lipids, which caused a slight increase in cholesterol in the blood of birds

Restricted feeding could enhance feed conversion ratio and egg quality of laying Japanese quail kept under different stocking densities

Impacts of different stocking densities and feed restriction on egg production and quality and blood biochemicals of laying Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) were studied. A total number of 360 adult Japanese quails were used in an experiment, including two stocking densities (300 and 200 cm2/bird) and four feed restriction levels (ad libitum, 25, 30 and 35 g/day/bird). As a result of this study, feed restriction (30 g/bird/day) enhanced most of egg production traits and improved hatchability. Albumen and egg shell thickness showed the highest values when birds fed ad libitum and 35 g/bird/day. Blood total protein, albumin, Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and cholesterol were higher in quails housed at 200 cm2/bird than those kept at 300 cm2/bird. The highest values of blood total protein, albumin, AST and cholesterol were found in quails fed ad libitum. Activity of superoxide dismutase was the highest estimate when birds stocked at 300 cm2/bird and fed ad libitum or 25 g/day. Conclusively, decreasing space per bird had a negative effect on performance. Feed restriction can achieve a better feed conversion ratio (FCR).

Effect of melatonin in adult quail males exposed to oxidative stress induced by H2O2

In the dark, the pineal gland secreted melatonin hormone after produced from tryptophan that is Responsible for organizing many vital functions such as Wake up and sleep, circadian rhythm, Immune response and reproduction. As well as that Melatonin act as antioxidant and inflammatory.Thirty-six of 45 days-old Japanese quail male randomly divided to four treatments nine replicates per each. The control treatment consisted of the basal diet and normal water, 2nd treatment of (1%) hydrogen peroxide in drinking water.3rd and 4th treatment the ratio supplemented with (20 mg melatonin / kg diet) with or without(1%) hydrogen peroxide in drinking water. At 28 days, hematological parameters, antioxidant measurement determined and testes histological assessment.From the results noted a significant reduction in the total counting of red blood cells (RBC) and the relative weight of the testicles with a deterioration in antioxidants status, represented by a significant increase in MDA level and a significant decrease in GSH level of with H2O2 treatment . The supplemented of melatonin led to a decrease in the total number of WBC, PCV, and the concentration of Hb. Moreover, the treatment with the use of melatonin led to an improvement in antioxidants indicators represented by an increase in the level of GSH and a decrease MDA level. As the fourth treatment did not record significant differences compared to the first treatment. Adding melatonin at 20 mg melatonin / kg diet lead to significant improvement in area of germinal layer and its thickness.