Japanese Quail Eggs Research Articles

Effects of in ovo injection of threonine on hatchability, intestinal morphology, and somatic attributes in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

ABSTRACTA total of 540 Japanese quail eggs were in ovo injected threonine (THR) at day 11 of embryonic development to evaluate the effects of in ovo feeding of THR on the hatchability, somatic attributes, and gut morphology of hatchlings. A completely randomized experimental design with 9 treatments and 4 replicates of 15 eggs per replicate was used. The treatments were non-injected (control) eggs and those receiving in ovo injections of 0.05 or 0.1 ml of saline (diluent) with or without THR (5 mg/ml) in the air sac (IAS) or under the air sac (UAS). Although the number of hatched eggs injected with 0.05 ml diluent both with and without THR under the air sac was not significant in comparison to the control group, it was higher than that of the other injected treatments. Interestingly, the under air sac injection of 0.05 ml THR showed enhanced gut morphology in comparison with the other treatments. The dried yolk-free body weight of all chicks was not statistically significant. Overall, the present results suggest that the injection of 0.05 ml THR under the air sac may improve the intestinal morphology in newly hatched quail while having no negative effects on final yolk-free body weight.

The impact of eggshell colour and spot area in Japanese quails: I. eggshell temperature during incubation and hatching results

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of eggshell colour and spot properties (colour and size of the spot area) on eggshell incubation temperature and hatching outcomes of Japanese quail eggs (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Study material was allocated to five groups according to their eggshell and spot colours: black spots on greyish white coloured eggshell (I), blue spots on greyish white coloured eggshell (II), diffuse brown spots on greyish brown coloured eggshell (III), brown spots on light green coloured eggshell (IV), and small brown spots on greyish brown coloured eggshell (V). The size of the spotted area was determined in each egg group using digital image analysis. Mean relative weight losses of hatched and unhatched eggs between days 0-10 and 0-14 of embryonic development were 4.76% and 10.48% and 9.17% and 15.46%, respectively. The mean eggshell temperatures of hatched and unhatched eggs measured at the equatorial region on days 10 and 14 during embryonic development were 36.92 and 37.79 oC and 36.84 and 37.18 oC, respectively. Eggshell temperatures at the equatorial region on days 10 (36.89 oC) and 14 (37.57 oC) of embryonic development were lower than the fixed temperature of the incubator (37.6 oC). Fertility, hatchability of fertile eggs, and hatchability and embryonic mortality rates do not vary in relation to eggshell colour or the size of the spotted area.

English

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Salmonella species from raw beef obtained from markets and Japanese quail eggs from farms and retail outlets in Jos and environs, Nigeria, using colony morphology and biochemical tests. Of the 100 raw beef samples examined, 11 were contaminated with Salmonella given a prevalence of 11.0%. Salmonella was isolated from 3 out of the 225 quail eggs analyzed. The result revealed that only 0.8% of the quail egg contents were positive for Salmonella while the prevalence on egg shell was 1.7%. The prevalence of Salmonella on raw beef was found to be relatively higher in Tudun Wada and Rukuba Road 4(20.0%), while Terminus, Abattoir and Gada Biyu had a lower prevalence of 1 (5.0%). The relative prevalence of Salmonella on the egg shell and content base on location indicates considerable high (4.0%) levels of contamination in samples from Jos South Local Government Area while eggs collected from Jos North and Jos East revealed a prevalence of 0.0%. The antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolates showed varying degree of sensitivity. The isolates were moderately sensitive to Ciprofloxacin, Sulphademethoxazole, Chloramphenicol and Gentamycin recording the highest sensitivity. The isolates were completely resistant to Tetracyline, Neomycin, Oxacillin and Erythromycin. Multi-drug resistance was reported in isolates from quail eggs from Farm A. All the isolates from the three farms were resistant to Oxacillin and Erythromycin while two (from Farms A and C) were resistant to Sulphadimethoxazole. Regulatory control of antibiotics usage in livestock production, meat/poultry hygiene and pharmaco-epidemiological surveillance in food animals to ensure consumer safety were therefore recommended. Key words: Salmonella, resistance, susceptibility, sensitivity, surveillance.

Comparison of vehicle mortality followingin ovoexposure of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) eggs to corn oil, triolein and a fatty acid mix

ABSTRACTThe use of avian egg bioassays for the determination of embryonic mortality and development effects of toxicant exposure is widespread in ecotoxicology. While these studies have a number of experimental limitations to consider, they offer a rapid, cost effective alternative to maternal feeding studies. In preparing to conduct such studies a number of factors must be taken into consideration, including solubility of the toxicant, dissolution solvent, injection site, volume and incubation position. Species-specific requirements for humidity and position should be considered in order to optimize successful incubation with different species. Japanese quail eggs, were injected prior to incubation with 1µl or 5µl of corn oil, triolein or a fatty acid mix, using air cell or albumen injection. Eggs were incubated according to standard poultry practices or in a prone position to determine if there were any differences in hatching success. Hatching success was reduced in eggs that were injected with 5µl and...

Primary Endodermal Epithelial Cell Culture from the Yolk Sac Membrane of Japanese Quail Embryos.

We established an endodermal epithelial cell culture model (EEC) for studying the function of certain enzymes and proteins in mediating nutrient utilization by avian embryos during development. Fertilized Japanese quail eggs were incubated at 37 °C for 5 days and then yolk sac membranes (YSM) were collected to establish the EEC culture system. We isolated the embryonic endoderm layer from YSM, and sliced the membrane into 2 - 3 mm pieces and partially digested with collagenase before seeding in 24-well culture plates. The EECs proliferate out of the tissue and are ready for cell culture studies. We found that the EECs had typical characteristics of YSM in vivo, for example, accumulation of lipid droplets, expression of sterol O-acyltransferase and lipoprotein lipase. The partial digestion treatment significantly increased the successful rate of EEC culture. Utilizing the EECs, we demonstrated that the expression of SOAT1 was regulated by the cAMP dependent protein kinase A related pathway. This primary Japanese quail EEC culture system is a useful tool to study embryonic lipid transportation and to clarify the role of genes involved in mediating nutrient utilization in YSM during avian embryonic development.

Primary Endodermal Epithelial Cell Culture from the Yolk Sac Membrane of Japanese Quail Embryos

We established an endodermal epithelial cell culture model (EEC) for studying the function of certain enzymes and proteins in mediating nutrient utilization by avian embryos during development. Fertilized Japanese quail eggs were incubated at 37 °C for 5 days and then yolk sac membranes (YSM) were collected to establish the EEC culture system. We isolated the embryonic endoderm layer from YSM, and sliced the membrane into 2 - 3 mm pieces and partially digested with collagenase before seeding in 24-well culture plates. The EECs proliferate out of the tissue and are ready for cell culture studies. We found that the EECs had typical characteristics of YSM in vivo, for example, accumulation of lipid droplets, expression of sterol O-acyltransferase and lipoprotein lipase. The partial digestion treatment significantly increased the successful rate of EEC culture. Utilizing the EECs, we demonstrated that the expression of SOAT1 was regulated by the cAMP dependent protein kinase A related pathway. This primary Japanese quail EEC culture system is a useful tool to study embryonic lipid transportation and to clarify the role of genes involved in mediating nutrient utilization in YSM during avian embryonic development.

Effect of Turmeric Powder Supplementation to The Age of Sexual Maturity, Physical, and Chemical Quality of The First Japanese Quail’s (Coturnix japonica) Egg

<p>The experiment was conducted to determine the effect of turmeric powder supplementation to the age of sexual maturity, physical, and chemical quality of the first Japanese quail’s (Coturnix japonica) egg. Forty five quails were assigned into a completely randomized design with three treatments (levels of turmeric powder, i.e., 0; 54; and 108 mg/quail/day) and each treatment used 15 quails. Turmeric powder supplementation was conducted before sexual maturity. Feed and drinking water provided ad libitum. Observed egg is an egg that was first produced. Parameters measured were the age of sexual maturity, feed intake, body weight, physical qualities which include: weight of egg, long axis, short axis, weight and thickness of shell, yolk index, Haugh unit, egg shell index. Whereas the observed chemical quality were cholesterol, HDL, LDL, protein, vitamin B12, vitamin A in eggs and egg shell calcium levels. The results showed that administration of turmeric powder can accelerate the age of maturity, increasing the levels of protein, HDL, vitamin A and B12 in eggs, decreasing the cholesterol and LDL content in eggs, but did not affect feed intake, physical quality of eggs and egg shell calcium levels. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that supplementation of turmeric powder improve the chemical quality of Japanese quail eggs (Coturnix japonica), so it is good for the development of quail embryos as well as for consumption.</p><p><strong>How to Cite</strong></p><p>Saraswati, T. R., & Tana, S. (2016). Effect of Turmeric Powder Supplementation To The Age of Sexual Maturity, Physical, and Chemical Quality of The First Japanese Quail’s (Coturnix japonica) Egg. <em>Biosaintifika: Journal of Biology & Biology Education</em>, 8(1), 18-24.</p>

QUALIDADE FÍSICA E BACTERIOLÓGICA DE OVOS OPACOS DE CODORNAS SANITIZADOS, REFRIGERADOS E CONTAMINADOS EXPERIMENTALMENTE PORSalmonella enterica SER. TYPHIMURIUM

Resumo Objetivou-se estudar a qualidade física, química e microbiológica de ovos de codornas contaminados artificialmente com Salmonella entericaser. Typhimurium, sanitizados e armazenados a diferentes temperaturas (5 e 25 ºC), durante 27 dias. Foram utilizados 768 ovos com cascas opacas e peso médio de 11g. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2x2x2 (contaminação x sanitização x refrigeração) com seis repetições e um ovo por parcela. Os ovos foram contaminados pelo manuseio com 1,5 x 105unidade formadoras de colônias (UFCs) e, de acordo com os tratamentos, foram sanitizados com solução com 5 ppm de Cl. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e teste t. A contaminação bacteriana prejudicou o peso do ovo, uH, índice de gema e de albume e pH de gema e de albume, a partir de 18 dias de armazenamento. O tempo de estocagem dos ovos e a temperatura de armazenamento influenciaram a qualidade interna dos ovos de codornas em todas as variáveis estudadas. A pior qualidade interna foi observada em ovos armazenados na temperatura de 25 ºC. A sanitização e a refrigeração reduziram o crescimento daSalmonella nos ovos contaminados. Ovos com casca opaca, quando não refrigerados, devem ser consumidos em até 18 dias após a postura.

QUALIDADEFÍSICA EBACTERIOLÓGICA DEOVOSOPACOSDE CODORNASSANITIZADOS,REFRIGERADOSECONTAMINADOS EXPERIMENTALMENTE POR Salmonella enterica SER. TYPHIMURIUM

The objective of this study was to verify the physical, chemical and microbiological quality of Japanese quail eggs artificially contaminated with Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium. The eggs were sanitized and stored at different temperatures (between 5 and 25 oC) for 27 days. We used 768 eggs with opaque shells, typical pigments of the species, and average weight of 11 g. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2x2x2 factorial arrangement (contamination x sanitation x cooling) with six replications and one egg per experimental unit. The eggs were contaminated by handling with 1.5 x 105 colony forming unit (CFU) of Salmonella . Typhimurium / mL and sanitized according to the treatments with a 5 ppm Cl solution. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and t test. Bacterial contamination has damaged the egg weight, Haugh unit, yolk index and albumen, and pH of yolk and albumen, from 18 days of storage. The egg storage time and storage temperature affected the internal quality of quail eggs in all variables. The worst internal quality was observed in eggs stored at 25 oC. The sanitation and cooling reduced the growth of Salmonella in contaminated eggs. Eggs in opaque shell, when not refrigerated, should be consumed within 18 days after laying. Keywords: opaque shell; quail eggs; Salmonella Typhimurium; sanitization; storage.

Studies on production of vitamin E and selenium enriched Japanese quail egg

This study was conducted to assess the alpha-tocopherol and selenium level of Japanese quail egg. This trial was conducted in two hundred and ten female Japanese quail birds from seven to twenty six weeks of age. Experimental birds were randomly divided into seven groups viz., T1-Control: Basal diet (standard Japanese quail ration), T2-Basal diet with Vitamin E 150 mg/kg, T3-Basal diet with Vitamin E 300 mg/kg, T4-Basal diet with selenium 0.3 mg/kg, T5-Basal diet with selenium 0.6 mg/kg, T6-Basal diet with combination of Vitamin E 150 mg/kg and selenium 0.3 mg/kg, T7-Basal diet with combination of Vitamin E and selenium 0.6 mg/kg. During the laying period the data on hen housed egg production and hen day egg production showed significant increase in egg production from 7 to 26 weeks of age by supplementation of Vitamin E and Selenium in the Japanese quail. Dietary supplementation with the combination of Vitamin E 300 mg/kg and selenium 0.6 mg/kg indicated significantly enrichment of alpha-tocopherol and selenium level in Japanese quail egg.

Design and Evaluation of a Low Cost Domestic Incubator for Hatching Japanese Quail Eggs

Design and Evaluation of a Low Cost Domestic Incubator for Hatching Japanese Quail Eggs

Determination of some external and internal quality traits of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) eggs on the basis of eggshell colour and spot colour

Determination of some external and internal quality traits of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) eggs on the basis of eggshell colour and spot colour

A trade‐off between overheating and camouflage on shorebird eggshell colouration

In ground‐nesting birds egg colour and appearance may have evolved due to opposite selection pressures. Pigmentation and spottiness make the eggs darker and have been suggested to improve camouflage. However darker and more spotted eggs may reach higher temperatures when not attended by adults and receiving direct sunlight, which may be lethal for embryos. Some authors suggested that this trade‐off may not exist because eggshell pigments mainly reflect in the infrared region of the solar spectrum, but have not considered that wavelengths in the visible part of the spectrum may also contribute to overheating. To test the occurrence of a trade‐off between camouflage and overheating of eggs, we took digital images to analyse colour and camouflage in 93 nests of four shorebird species (two stilts and two plovers) in two regions (tropical and mediterranean sites). We predicted that these species (closely related) may have evolved different eggshell designs depending on solar radiation, which is supposed to be stronger in the Tropics. To record egg temperatures, we placed Japanese quail eggs in natural nests of shorebirds, and registered temperatures using a datalogger. We found that darker and more spotted eggs reached higher temperatures than lighter ones, and that after controlling for environmental temperatures, eggs overheated more in the Tropics, likely because of a more intense solar radiation. We also found that tropical shorebirds’ eggshells have darker spots and lighter backgrounds. Overall, darker eggs were better camouflaged. Taken together, our results show that the benefits of increasing pigmentation of eggshell backgrounds and spottiness for a better camouflage are counteracted by the increased risks of overheating when eggs remain exposed to direct solar radiation.

Effect of the loading rate on compressive properties of goose eggs.

The resistance of goose (Anser anser f. domestica) eggs to damage was determined by measuring the average rupture force, specific deformation and rupture energy during their compression at different compression speeds (0.0167, 0.167, 0.334, 1.67, 6.68 and 13.36 mm/s). Eggs have been loaded between their poles (along X axis) and in the equator plane (Z axis). The greatest amount of force required to break the eggs was required when eggs were loaded along the X axis and the least compression force was required along the Z axis. This effect of the loading orientation can be described in terms of the eggshell contour curvature. The rate sensitivity of the eggshell rupture force is higher than that observed for the Japanese quail's eggs.

Efectos de la proteína bruta y energía metabolizable sobre la calidad del huevo de codorniz

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de los niveles de proteína bruta y energía metabolizable sobre las características de calidad del huevo de codornices japonesas. Fueron utilizados 864 huevos de codornices, procedentes de un ensayo con diseño experimental completamente al azar, en arreglo factorial 4x4, cuatro niveles de energía metabolizable, (2750, 2850, 2950 y 3050 kcal EM/kg) y cuatro niveles de proteína bruta, PB (17.5, 19.0, 20.5 y 22.0%) con tres repeticiones. Fueron tomadas seis muestras de tres huevos por unidad experimental a intervalos de cuatro semanas. Los niveles de proteína y de energía no influyeron las variables estudiadas (P>0.05). En conclusión dietas con niveles de 17.5 hasta 22% de PB y 2750 hasta 3050 kcalEM/kg energía no afectan las características de calidad del huevo.

On the influence of storage duration on rheological properties of liquid egg products and response of eggs to impact loading – Japanese quail eggs

The eggs of wild-type European-originated quails were stored for 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16weeks at constant temperature 4°C. The three groups of parameters describing the egg quality were obtained.First of all the egg quality parameters were described in terms of egg weight, shell weight, yolk height, albumen height, albumen index, yolk index, Haugh units, and egg weight loss.In the next step the rheological behaviour of liquid egg products (egg yolk, egg white and whole liquid egg) was studied using a concentric cylinder viscometer. Flow curves of all liquid egg products exhibited Non-Newtonian behaviour. Experimental results were described using both of Herschel–Bulkley model and Oswald–de Waele model. The difference between results of these models can be neglected. The effect of the storage duration on the rheological behaviour is different for the different liquid egg products.The eggs were also loaded by the non-destructive impact. The response of eggs to impact loading was described by the time history of eggshell surface displacement. The storage duration significantly affects the eggshell response to the impact. The explanation of relation between rheological behaviour and this response is briefly outlined.

Effect of in ovo injection of threonine on Mucin2 gene expression and digestive enzyme activity in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

A total of 540 Japanese quail eggs were assigned to 9 treatments of 4 replicates to investigate the effect of in ovo injection of threonine (THR) on mucin2 (MUC2) mRNA expression and digestive enzyme activity. Treatments were (non-injected) eggs and those in ovo injected with saline (0.05 or 0.1 ml) with or without THR (5 mg/ml) in two sites (in or under the air sac). On hatch day, 0.05 ml in ovo injected (under the air sac: TUAS) hatchlings were divided into three groups based on NRC recommendations for THR, while all 0.1 ml in ovo injected chicks were removed due to low hatchability. The remaining treatments received the NRC recommended diet until day 10 post-hatch. Treatments had no effect on protease and amylase activities, while TUAS increased MUC2 gene expression. In conclusion, the in ovo injection of THR increased MUC2 gene expression but had no effect on enzyme activity.

Different temperature and cooling patterns at the blunt and sharp egg poles reflect the arrangement of eggs in an avian clutch.

Incubation is an energetically demanding process during which birds apply heat to their eggs to ensure embryonic development. Parent behaviours such as egg turning and exchanging the outer and central eggs in the nest cup affect the amount of heat lost to the environment from individual eggs. Little is known, however, about whether and how egg surface temperature and cooling rates vary among the different areas of an egg and how the arrangement of eggs within the clutch influences heat loss. We performed laboratory (using Japanese quail eggs) and field (with northern lapwing eggs) experiments using infrared imaging to assess the temperature and cooling patterns of heated eggs and clutches. We found that (i) the sharp poles of individual quail eggs warmed to a higher egg surface temperature than did the blunt poles, resulting in faster cooling at the sharp poles compared to the blunt poles; (ii) both quail and lapwing clutches with the sharp poles oriented towards the clutch centre (arranged clutches) maintained higher temperatures over the central part of the clutch than occurred in those clutches where most of the sharp egg poles were oriented towards the exterior (scattered clutches); and (iii) the arranged clutches of both quail and lapwing showed slower cooling rates at both the inner and outer clutch positions than did the respective parts of scattered clutches. Our results demonstrate that egg surface temperature and cooling rates differ between the sharp and blunt poles of the egg and that the orientation of individual eggs within the nest cup can significantly affect cooling of the clutch as a whole. We suggest that birds can arrange their eggs within the nest cup to optimise thermoregulation of the clutch.

Avian egg odour encodes information on embryo sex, fertility and development.

Avian chemical communication is a rapidly emerging field, but has been hampered by a critical lack of information on volatile chemicals that communicate ecologically relevant information (semiochemicals). A possible, but as yet unexplored, function of olfaction and chemical communication in birds is in parent-embryo and embryo-embryo communication. Communication between parents and developing embryos may act to mediate parental behaviour, while communication between embryos can control the synchronicity of hatching. Embryonic vocalisations and vibrations have been implicated as a means of communication during the later stages of development but in the early stages, before embryos are capable of independent movement and vocalisation, this is not possible. Here we show that volatiles emitted from developing eggs of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) convey information on egg fertility, along with the sex and developmental status of the embryo. Specifically, egg volatiles changed over the course of incubation, differed between fertile and infertile eggs, and were predictive of embryo sex as early as day 1 of incubation. Egg odours therefore have the potential to facilitate parent-embryo and embryo-embryo interactions by allowing the assessment of key measures of embryonic development long before this is possible through other modalities. It also opens up the intriguing possibility that parents may be able to glean further relevant information from egg volatiles, such as the health, viability and heritage of embryos. By determining information conveyed by egg-derived volatiles, we hope to stimulate further investigation into the ecological role of egg odours.

Egg shell quality in Japanese quail: characteristics, heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic relationships

The objective of the present study was to estimate heritabilities as well as genetic and phenotypic correlations for egg weight, specific gravity, shape index, shell ratio, egg shell strength, egg length, egg width and shell weight in Japanese quail eggs. External egg quality traits were measured on 5864 eggs of 934 female quails from a dam line selected for two generations. Within the Bayesian framework, using Gibbs Sampling algorithm, a multivariate animal model was applied to estimate heritabilities and genetic correlations for external egg quality traits. The heritability estimates for external egg quality traits were moderate to high and ranged from 0.29 to 0.81. The heritability estimates for egg and shell weight of 0.81 and 0.76 were fairly high. The genetic and phenotypic correlations between egg shell strength with specific gravity, shell ratio and shell weight ranging from 0.55 to 0.79 were relatively high. It can be concluded that it is possible to determine egg shell quality using the egg specific gravity values utilizing its high heritability and fairly high positive correlation with most of the egg shell quality traits. As a result, egg specific gravity may be the choice of selection criterion rather than other external egg traits for genetic improvement of egg shell quality in Japanese quails.