Japanese Quail Coturnix Research Articles

Histological structures of liver and Bursa of Fabricius in two-line selection female and male Japanese quail Coturnix japonica

Histological structures of liver and Bursa of Fabricius in two-line selection female and male Japanese quail Coturnix japonica

The ingestion of microplastics affects the diversity of the gut microbiome and testicular development in Japanese quail

Five Japanese quail Coturnix japonica were administered with powdered microplastics (MPs, test group) while five quail did not receive MPs (control group) to investigate the effect of MPs on gut microbiota. In the MP administration, a powdered form of commercially available polystyrene was mixed with sterile water and orally delivered to the quail's proventriculus using a syringe. After the experiments, all 10 quail were euthanized and dissected to measure the weight of each organ and collect samples. A next-generation sequencing analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene was conducted using DNA extracted from pellets of gut fluid samples to investigate gut microbe diversity. A canonical correspondence analysis using the next-generation sequencing data was conducted to examine the correlation between visceral weight changes induced by MP exposure and alterations in the gut microbiome diversity. The dominant bacterial families showed no significant correlation with gut and testis weights in the test group. However, a correlation was inferred between distinct dominant bacterial families and gut and testis weights in the control group, which differed from those observed in the experimental group. Although the underlying cause of gut microbiota changes due to MP ingestion remains to be elucidated, MP ingestion was demonstrated to have some effect on quail gut microbiota and testis.

A Comparative Study of Calcium Metabolism between Quail and Domestic Rabbits

The existing study was conducted to evaluate calcium; vitamin D and calcitonin concentration in two types of amniotes that live in the Iraqi environment include the local rabbit and the Japanese quail. The study included 18 female Japanese quail Coturnix coturnix, weighing 145.5 ± 34.341 g, they were 16 weeks in ages and 18 female local rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, at the age of one years and 1438.5 ± 284.988 g in weight. The results showed that the mean serum calcium concentration in bird and rabbit were 8.134±0.450 (mg/dl) and 7.267±1.761 (mg/dl) respectively and it was significantly at at 0.066 higher in bird in comparison to rabbit, the mean of vitamin D in bird and rabbit were 24.22± 3.159 (ng/ml) and 28.43±4.632 (ng/ml) respectively and it was significantly higher in rabbit than bird at 0.007 while the mean serum calcitonin concentration in bird and rabbit were 1.354±0.1960 (mg/dl) and 1.676±0.4151 (mg/dl) respectively and it was significantly at 0.009 higher in rabbit in comparison to bird. Egg laying, shell calcification and medullary bone formation induce more extra demand of calcium in birds while the high rate of teeth erupting demand extra calcium in rabbits, the metabolism of vitamin D will be altered indirectly by these process which associated with increased requirements for calcium. The study showed an increase in the level of calcium in both rabbits and quail birds, and that this increase will change the metabolism of vitamin D, and many physiological processes will occur.

The relationship between eggshell color, hatching traits, fertility, mortality, and some qualitative aspects of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) eggs

Quail, one of the most important sources of meat and eggs, can aid in the reduction of the meat crisis if they are raised and cared for by small farmers. The current study investigated the impact of eggshell color variety on egg quality traits and hatching parameters of Japanese quail Coturnix japonica eggs. Therefore, 1,075 eggs were collected from female quails when they were 10-wk old. These eggs were distributed based on the color of their eggshells into 5 different classifications: eggshell with color type 1, very dark distributed brown spots on brown eggshell; eggshell with color type 2, small black spots on a white eggshell; eggshell with color type 3, widespread brown spots on brown eggshell; eggshell with color type 4, bubble egg, pin dotted on grayish brown color eggshell; and eggshell with color type 5, small brown spots on very clearly white eggshell. The characteristics of hatchability, internal and external egg quality, and the rate of embryonic death were then determined. The results showed that the percentage of fertility and commercial and scientific hatchability was greatly affected by eggshell color. There were also variations in the percentage of hatched chicks', early mortality rates, and late mortality rates based on eggshell color. According to the results of the current study, eggshell color has a significant impact on egg weight, egg width, and percentages of eggshell, yolk, and albumen but has no effect on shape index, egg length, or egg elongation. Based on the results, eggshells with color types 2 and 3 were recommended for use in hatching procedures due to their high levels of fertility (92.01 and 91.63%, respectively), scientific hatchability (82.92 and 83.93%, respectively), commercial hatchability (76.56 and 77.32%, respectively), and hatched chick (5.50 and 6.70, respectively). In addition, the late embryonic mortality rate was 0.00% for eggshells with color type 3. Therefore, the color of the eggshell can be employed as a key factor in guiding the eggs that are produced, whether they are going to be consumed at the table or used for hatching, to make breeding easier.

Presence of the cloud cover and elevation angle of the sun affect measurements of eggshell coloration and patterning obtained from calibrated digital images

AbstractCalibrated digital photography is frequently used in studies focusing on avian eggshell appearance to measure colour and pattern features. Photographs are often taken in natural light conditions, yet little is known to what extent the normalisation process is able to control for varied light. Here, we photographed 36 blown eggs of the Japanese quail Coturnix japonica at five different elevation angles of the sun on both sunny and uniformly overcast days alongside grey standards. We normalised and processed the photographs in the MICA Toolbox software and checked how much noise was introduced by different natural light conditions to the colour and pattern measurements of the same set of eggs. Our results indicate that natural variation of light conditions affects eggshell colour and pattern measurements obtained by means of calibrated digital photography. Depending on a trait, the elevation angle of the sun had similar or even greater effect on the measurement than the presence of the cloud cover. Furthermore, measurements taken in cloudy conditions were more repeatable than those taken in sunny conditions. Based on the results, we propose practical guidelines regarding measuring colour and pattern of eggshells using calibrated digital photography in outdoor conditions.

Effects of the Spectral Components of Everyday Illumination on the Formation of Eye Structures in the Japanese Quail Coturnix Japonica

Effects of the Spectral Components of Everyday Illumination on the Formation of Eye Structures in the Japanese Quail Coturnix Japonica

Egg production, economic indices, and external and internal egg quality parameters of laying Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) fed palm (Elaeis guineensis) kernel cake

The feeding trial aimed to evaluate the egg production, quality parameters and economic benefits of using palm kernel cake, a byproduct of palm oil production in the diets of laying Japanese quails. Two hundred (200) nine-week-old laying Japanese quails were randomized into 5 groups replicated 4 times of 10 birds each in a six weeks trial. Palm kernel cake (PKC) was incorporated at 0 %, 10 %, 20 %, 30 % and 40 % in formulating feed for the quails. The form of oil removal affected the PKC such that it had 91.51% dry matter, 15.70 % crude protein, 21.43 % crude fibre, 12.30 % ether extract, 1.44 % ash, 40.78 % nitrogen-free extract and 12.67MJkg-1 metabolizable energy. All egg production parameters were significantly different (P ≤ 0.05). The results in this study showed that feed cost/ kg, feed cost per crate, profit per crate and egg-feed-price ratio were significantly influenced (P ≤ 0.05) as well as the shell percentage, yolk-albumen weight, albumen weight, yolk height, colour and yolk index. In conclusion, laying Japanese quails can permit up to 40 % dietary PKC without negative effect on laying performance, better cost-benefit, improved shell percentage, albumen weight and percentage, and yolk index, however, the yolk colour becomes lighter with increased PKC inclusion.

The normal stages of development for the California valley quail.

One challenge in avian embryology is establishing a standard developmental timetable, primarily because eggs incubated for identical durations can vary in developmental progress, even within the same species. For remedy, avian development is classified into distinct stages based on the formation of key morphological structures. Developmental stages exist for a few galliform species, but the literature is lacking a description of normal stages for California valley quail (Callipepla californica). Thus, the objective of this study was to stage and document the morphological and structural development of California valley quail. Over two laying seasons, 390 eggs were incubated at 37.8֯ C in 60% RH for ≤23 days. Eggs were opened every ≤6 hours to document embryonic development, including, blastoderm diameter, anterior angle of nostril to beak tip, and lengths of wing, tarsus, third toe, total beak, total foot, and embryo. California valley quail embryos were staged and compared to domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), the staging standard for galliformes, as well as Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), blue-breasted quail (Synoicus chinensis) and northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus). This study produced the first description of the 43 normal stages of development for California valley quail. Compared with other galliformes, the California valley quail has a different number of stages and displays developmental heterochrony in stages 1–24, and morphological and developmental differences in stages 25–hatch. The observed differences emphasize the importance of staging individual avian species instead of relying on poultry animal models or close relatives for developmental reference. This is extremely important in species-specific embryological studies that evaluate critical windows of development or evaluate the impacts of environmental change on avian development. This study also suggests that staging frequencies of ≤6 hours and egg transport protocols should be standardized for future staging studies.

Effects of supplemental bee pollen on performance, meat quality, serum constituents and immunity system in growing quails

This study focused on the effects of adding various levels of bee pollen to diets for Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica). The response variables that were examined included their performance, carcass characteristics, meat colour, immune system, and some serum constituents. A total of 160 one-day-old quail chicks were used. These chicks were randomly assigned to four treatments, each consisting of 40 chicks. These groups were further divided into four replicates of ten birds. The treatments consisted of diets to which 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10 g/kg bee pollen were added. The feeding period lasted 42 days. The performance and serum biochemistry of the growing quails were not affected by the addition of bee pollen to the diet. The addition of 5 g/kg bee pollen increased the follicle weight and the L* value of the breast, and decreased the a* value of the thigh. It also improved the serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) content. Thus, the addition of 5 g/kg bee pollen to the diet of growing quails was effective in improving follicle development, meat quality and immune system.

The Effect of Manipulated Prenatal Conditions on Growth, Survival, and Reproduction Throughout the Complete Life Course of a Precocial Bird

The quality of the environment individuals experience during development is commonly regarded as very influential on performance in later life. However, studies that have experimentally manipulated the early-life environment and subsequently measured individual performance in all components of fitness over the complete life course are scarce. In this study, we incubated fertile eggs of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) at substandard and standard incubation temperature, and monitored growth, survival, and reproduction throughout the complete life course. While embryonic development was slower and hatching success tended to be lower under substandard incubation temperature, the prenatal treatment had no effect on post-hatching growth, survival to sexual maturity, or age at first reproduction. In adulthood, body mass and investment in individual egg mass peaked at middle age, irrespective of the prenatal treatment. Individual reproduction rate declined soon after its onset, and was higher in females that lived longer. Yet, reproduction, and its senescence, were independent of the prenatal treatment. Similarly, adult survival over the complete lifespan was not affected. Hence, we did not find evidence for effects on performance beyond the developmental period that was manipulated. Our results suggest that effects of unfavorable developmental conditions on individual performance later in life could be negligible in some circumstances.

Histopathological effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the liver of Japanese quail Coturnix coturnix japonica

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles have multiple beneficial uses, as they are used in many medical, industrial, economic, and other fields. Despite these many benefits, it is not without harm to humans and animals if used without control. Therefore, the present study aimed to discover the histopathological effects of Titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the liver of Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica. The study included three groups, the first group, the control group, which were dosed with distilled water for four continuous days, and the second and third experimental groups, which were dosed with Titanium dioxide nanoparticles at a concentration of 20 and 40 mg/kg, respectively. Four, fourteen, thirty and sixty days after the experiment began, the birds were sacrificed. The results showed the emergence of many histological lesions in the liver of birds of the two experimental groups, to varying degrees, in the four periods, among the most prominent tissue lesions that appeared in the second experimental group, the emergence of necrosis, hemorrhage, vacuolation, congestion, ballooning swelling, in addition to infiltration of inflammatory cells. While in the third experimental group, histopathological lesions appeared similar to second group, in addition to sinuses dilatation, Kupffer cells hypertrophy, hepatocyte enlargement, and necrosis of the walls of blood vessels and bile ducts. The study concluded that direct exposure to Titanium dioxide nanoparticles leads to damage to the liver tissue of these birds, which may affect its function and thus endanger its life.

Performance and egg qualities of laying japanese quails fed yam peel meal based diets with enzymes complex+yeast supplementation

A 10-week experiment was conducted to evaluate the combined effect of enzyme complex + yeast (Maxigrain®, MXG®) supplementation of sun-dried yam peel meal (YPM) based diet of laying Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) on performance and egg quality. A total of 240, seven-weeks old quails were distributed in a completely randomize design with four dietary treatments and five replicates of 12 quails each. Diet 1 served as the control diet without YPM while diet 2, 3, and 4 contained 25, 50, and 75% YPM with MXG® supplementation (1g per kg), respectively. MXG® supplementation in YPM diets improved (p < 0.05) egg mass and feed conversion per egg. Increasing levels of YPM with MXG® supplementation did not show any effect (p > 0.05) on internal and external egg quality attributes except for eggshell weight and thickness which was higher (p < 0.05) in quails fed 75% YPM diet. It was concluded, therefore, that the utilization of YPM as an alternative dietary ingredient with MXG® supplementation can be tolerated in the diets of laying Japanese quails up to 75% inclusion level without any negative effect on productive and egg quality performance.

Preclinical therapeutics ex ovo quail eggs as a biomimetic automation-ready xenograft platform

Preclinical cancer research ranges from in vitro studies that are inexpensive and not necessarily reflective of the tumor microenvironment to mouse studies that are better models but prohibitively expensive at scale. Chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays utilizing Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) are a cost-effective screening method to precede and minimize the scope of murine studies for anti-cancer efficacy and drug toxicity. To increase the throughput of CAM assays we have built and optimized an 11-day platform for processing up to 200 quail eggs per screening to evaluate drug efficacy and drug toxicity caused by a therapeutic. We demonstrate ex ovo concordance with murine in vivo studies, even when the in vitro and in vivo studies diverge, suggesting a role for this quail shell-free CAM xenograft assay in the validation of new anti-cancer agents.

Effects of Personality Traits on the Food-Scratching Behaviour and Food Intake of Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica).

Simple SummaryScratching can help animals find more buried food and thus is an important food-searching behaviour for ground-feeding birds such as gamebirds. Due to the existence of animal personality, individuals within a population may exhibit different food-scratching patterns. This study tested the impacts of personality traits (i.e., boldness and exploration) on food-scratching behaviour and food intake of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). We found that boldness and exploration were repeatable, respectively, and were correlated. When entering a food patch, proactive (i.e., bolder and more explorative) quails scratched for food earlier and more frequently with a longer time. Frequent and longer food-scratching may motivate longer foraging time in proactive quails which can get more food intake. The correlation between personality and food intake was sex dependent. Proactive females had more food intake during the first half of the foraging process and the correlation became weak as time went on. The pattern was opposite in males. In conclusion, our study suggests that personality traits have significant effects on animals’ food-searching strategies which may be correlated with their foraging success and fitness.Overall foraging success and ultimate fitness of an individual animal is highly dependent on their food-searching strategies, which are the focus of foraging theory. Considering the consistent inter-individual behavioural differences, personality may have a fundamental impact on animal food-scratching behaviour, which remains largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate how personality traits (i.e., boldness and exploration) affect the food-scratching behaviour and food intake of the domestic Japanese quail Coturnix japonica during the foraging process. The quails exhibited significant repeatability in boldness and exploration, which also constituted a behavioural syndrome. More proactive, that is, bolder and more explorative, individuals scratched the ground more frequently for food and began scratching earlier in a patch. Individuals that scratched more frequently had a longer foraging time and a higher food intake. The correlation between personality traits and temporary food intake during every 2 min varied over time and was sex dependent, with females exhibiting a positive correlation during the first half of the foraging stage and males after the initial stage. These findings suggest that personality traits affect the food-scratching behaviour and, thus, the food intake of quails. Our study provides insights into the impact of personality traits on animal’s foraging behaviour by influencing their food-searching strategies.

Beak trimming and stocking densities for laying and performance traits and behavioral patterns in Japanese quails

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the productive performance, egg quality and behavioral patterns of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) with and without beak trimming submitted to two stocking densities. The study was conducted for 84 days. In total, 196 Japanese quails were randomly allocated to a 2 x 2 factorial scheme: submitted or not to beak trimming procedure and low (237.5 cm²/bird) and high stocking density (316.7 cm/bird) and its interaction. Eight replicates per treatment were used, totaling 32 experimental units. Collected data were submitted to analysis of variance and, means of parametric data were compared by Tukey test (p<0.05); otherwise non-parametric analysis of variance were applied for non-parametric data of quail behavior. Lower feed intake was observed in the high stocking density group (p<0.05) but did not affect other parameters (p>0.05). There was no interaction (p>0.05) between beak trimming and stocking density over performance and egg quality. Quails without beak trimming housed in higher density showed more aggressiveness and stress. Egg quality as well as performance parameters of Japanese quails are not affected by applying 316.7 cm2/bird density.

Autoradiographic localization of [3H]-Nisoxetine binding sites in the CNS of male and female Japanese quail

BackgroundIn the central nervous system of mammals, transporters localized on the presynaptic nerve terminals regulate the reuptake of neurotransmitters. These transporters are selective for a specific neurotransmitter such as dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE). Specifically in the synapse, the dopamine transporter (DAT) reuptakes DA and the norepinephrine transporter (NET) reuptakes NE. However previous research has found that avian species do not have a gene for DAT, and therefore, birds may be using the NET to clear both NE and DA from the synapse. The current study aimed to extend this finding by localizing NET expression in male and female Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) brains using [3H]Nisoxetine, a selective NET blocker.ResultsHigh densities of binding sites were observed in the olfactory tubercle (OTu), the medial striatum (MSt), and the lateral striatum (LSt). Lower densities of binding sites were detected in the amygdala (AMY) and hypothalamus (Hyp), and low binding was found in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) and the pallium.ConclusionThe areas with the highest densities of NET are also areas that previous research has shown to have high levels of DA activity but low levels of NE innervation (e.g. striatum). The distribution of this reuptake transporter is consistent with the theory that NET acts to clear both DA and NE from the synapse.

Quantitative trait loci for growth-related traits in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) using restriction-site associated DNA sequencing.

This study aimed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for growth-related traits by constructing a genetic linkage map based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in Japanese quail. A QTL mapping population of 277 F2 birds was obtained from an intercross between a male of a large-sized strain and three females of a normal-sized strain. Body weight (BW) was measured weekly from hatching to 16weeks of age. Non-linear regression growth models of Weibull, Logistic, Gompertz, Richards, and Brody were analyzed, and growth curve parameters of Richards was selected as the best model to describe the quail growth curve of the F2 birds. Restriction-site associated DNA sequencing developed 125 SNP markers that were informative between their parental strains. The SNP markers were distributed on 16 linkage groups that spanned 795.9 centiMorgan (cM) with an average marker interval of 7.3cM. QTL analysis of phenotypic traits revealed four main-effect QTLs. Detected QTLs were located on chromosomes 1 and 3 and were associated with BW from 4 to 16weeks of age and asymptotic weight of Richards model at genome-wide significant at 1% or 5% level. No QTL was detected for BW from 0 to 3weeks of age. This is the first report identified QTLs for asymptotic weight of the Richards parameter in Japanese quail. These results highlight that the combination of QTL studies and the RAD-seq method will aid future breeding programs identify genes underlying the QTL and the application of marker-assisted selection in the poultry industry, particularly the Japanese quail.

CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF HEAT STRESS ON BLOOD PICTURE OF JAPANESE QUAILS

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of heat stress on quail hematological parameters two published papers on quails in 2013 were studied, analyzed and compared. Broiler Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were exposed to high ambient temperature (340C, 8hr/d, 0900-1700hr) in both papers. An increase in values of red blood cells count, white blood cells count, lymphocytes, heterophils and lymphocytes (H/L) ratio, Monocytes, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were recorded while a lower values of heterophils, basophils, eosinophils, mean corpuscular volume and hemoglobin concentration than normal were recorded in groups exposed to heat stress (340C) on day 42 in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Hemoglobin concentration was least affected. The obtained results indicated that, rearing quail birds under high environmental conditions during the fattening period has a great adverse effect on blood parameters. To help maintain Japanese quail as an essential animal model further heat stress related research on modern ways is needed.

Effects of Stocking Density on the Performance Characteristics, Egg Quality, and Nutrient Composition of the Eggs of Japanese Quails (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica)

Purpose: The aim is to study the effects of stocking density on the performance characteristics, egg quality, and nutrient composition of the eggs of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Study Design: Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Subjects and Methods: Two hundred and ninety-six (296) day-old sexed Japanese quails assigned to four different stocking densities (treatments) with four replicates conducted in the rainy season. The groups (I to IV) contained 11, 16, 21, and 26 quails in the approximate sex ratio of 1:1 (male: female) with stock densities 252.20 cm2, 173.43 cm2, 132.10 cm2, and 106.73 cm2/quail respectively. Standard procedures were adopted in data generation, collation and analyses. Results: The results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in weight gain, hen-day production, hen-housed production, total egg /hen, external and internal egg parameters across the treatments. The lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 2.38 % and lowest mortality (2.27 %) were obtained from group one and compared with those in groups two and three. The highest mortality rate was observed in group IV (12.50 %). The proximate analysis and mineral composition of the eggs recorded the highest values from group I which was also compared with the rest of the groups. Conclusion: It was concluded that 173.43 cm2 and 132.10 cm2/quail bird compared well with the standard (252.20 cm2/quail bird) and hence could still be adopted in quail farming without compromising their welfare and performance.

Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci Controlling Egg-Quality and -Production Traits in Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) Using Restriction-Site Associated DNA Sequencing.

This research was conducted to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with egg-related traits by constructing a genetic linkage map based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers using restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) in Japanese quail. A total of 138 F2 females were produced by full-sib mating of F1 birds derived from an intercross between a male of the large-sized strain with three females of the normal-sized strain. Eggs were investigated at two different stages: the beginning stage of egg-laying and at 12 weeks of age (second stage). Five eggs were analyzed for egg weight, lengths of the long and short axes, egg shell strength and weight, yolk weight and diameter, albumen weight, egg equator thickness, and yolk color (L*, a*, and b* values) at each stage. Moreover, the age at first egg, the cumulative number of eggs laid, and egg production rate were recorded. RAD-seq developed 118 SNP markers and mapped them to 13 linkage groups using the Map Manager QTX b20 software. Markers were spanned on 776.1 cM with an average spacing of 7.4 cM. Nine QTL were identified on chromosomes 2, 4, 6, 10, 12, and Z using the simple interval mapping method in the R/qtl package. The QTL detected affected 10 egg traits of egg weight, lengths of the long and short axes of egg, egg shell strength, yolk diameter and weight, albumen weight, and egg shell weight at the beginning stage, yellowness of the yolk color at the second stage, and age at first egg. This is the first report to perform a quail QTL analysis of egg-related traits using RAD-seq. These results highlight the effectiveness of RAD-seq associated with targeted QTL and the application of marker-assisted selection in the poultry industry, particularly in the Japanese quail.