Lines Of Japanese Quail Research Articles

Microsomal enzyme induction, egg production, and reproduction in three lines of Japanese quail fed polybrominated biphenyls.

The sensitivity of three genetic lines of Japanese quail to polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) was evaluated using criteria of egg production, reproduction, and induction of the hepatic microsomal mixed-function oxidase (MFO) system. Two genetic lines of quail, developed to diverge in their plasma cholesterol response to exogenous adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) (a "Low" line and a "High" line), were compared to a random-bred line ("Random"). ACTH administration caused increases in plasma cholesterol in the Low line that were 15 and 39% below the Random-line values in males and females, respectively, while High-line values were 31% higher in males and 36% higher in females when compared to the respective Random-line values. Hepatic activities of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) and hexobarbital hydroxylase (HxH) were not significantly influenced by ACTH administration or by genetic line in either sex. PBBs fed at 40 or 80 mg/kg diet for 5 wk resulted in significant increases in hepatic AHH and aminopyrine N-demethylase (APND) activities and cytochrome P-450 concentrations. The induction of AHH, APND, and cytochrome P-450 was significantly less in Low-line males in comparison to Random- and High-line males, while the induction of AHH was less in Low-line females when compared to females from the other two lines, based on covariance analysis. In terms of reproductive parameters, there was a greater adverse effect on egg production at 80 ppm PBBs in Low-line females when compared to the Random and High lines. These data indicate an example in which the biological toxicity of a compound and the induction of a 3-methylcholanthrene-type hepatic enzyme are not directly correlated.

Testosterone aromatization in high and low mating lines of gallinaceous birds

Capons from high (HML) and low (LML) mating lines of Japanese quail and chickens received testosterone propionate, 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT) or estradiol benzoate injections after which copulatory behavior was observed during exposure to live females and to a female model. With live females, the testosterone-treated HML capons mated significantly more than the other HML groups. All LML capons mated infrequently and at comparable levels. When tested with the model, estrogen-treated LML capons mated significantly more frequently than testosterone-treated LML capons, suggesting testosterone aromatization rate was affecting mating activity. This possibility was tested with HLM and LML intact cocks and capons receiving silastic implants of either testosterone, 5α-DHT or a combination of estradiol and 5α-DHT (E+DHT). Mating activity of intact HML cocks, T-treated, and E+DHT-treated HML capons were similar, and all groups mated significantly more than the control or 5α-DHT-treated capons. There were no significant differences between any of the LML groups. The data suggested that limited testosterone aromatization was not the cause of relatively reduced sexual activity in the LML males.

Egg Characteristics of Lines of Japanese Quail Selected for Four-Week Body Mass

The composition was determined of eggs of Japanese quail following long-term selection for high 4-week body mass. Selection for large body size resulted in a larger egg (length, width, and mass) but not in direct proportion to the increase in body size. The size of the yolk and, to a lesser extent, the mass of the shell responded less strongly than the overall size of the egg. The composition of the albumen and yolk were not affected in a consistent manner by selection for 4-week body size.

Calorimetric studies on selected lines of Japanese quail

Calorimetric measurements were made on groups of Japanese quail selected for increased body weight at either 20 or 35 days on either a high- or low-nutrient density diet. For the majority of biological parameters measured, the selected lines outperformed the unselected controls. Weight gain, metabolizable energy (ME) intake, food conversion efficiency, and energy retention were greater for the selected than for the control line. The major difference between the two groups was the higher mean food consumption of the selected lines. Quail selected at 35 days on the high nutrient density diet ate more food, gained more weight and retained more energy and body fat than those selected at the same age on the low nutrient density diet. Net availability of ME for growth was the same (0.69) for the selected and unselected lines; it was 0.66 for protein deposition and 0.83 for fat deposition. Maintenance energy requirement for eight quail was 1.2 MJ ME (kg wt)-1 day-1. Retention of dietary nitrogen was 0.61 of nitrogen intake. There was no difference between the lines in starvation heat production. However, birds fed ad libitum prior to starvation had a 12% higher heat production than those restricted to 70% of ad libitum feed.

Aspects of “fear” in Japanese quail chicks ( coturnix coturnix Japonica) genetically selected for different levels of locomotor activity

Domestic chicks selected for high and low locomotor activity in a novel environment have low and high levels of fearfulness, respectively. Using four commonly employed methods of estimating fear, namely emergence, open-field, response to a bell and tonic immobility tests, we found a similar effect in lines of Japanese quail selected for high and low locomotor activity, i.e. the active line appeared the least fearful. The present findings demonstrate that this effect is common to two gallinaceous species and two selection procedures.

An analysis of satellite cell content in the semimembranosus muscle of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) selected for rapid growth.

Transverse sections of the semimembranosus muscle of a control (C) line of Japanese quail and of a line (P) selected for high body weight at 4 weeks of age were observed for nuclear content. The two lines were sampled at 4 days posthatching and at 4 weeks of age. The relative number of satellite cells decreased from 4 days to 4 weeks of age. The total number of satellite cells, however, appeared to increase as muscle length increased; this relation was not influenced by line effects. It was concluded that the greater number of nuclei in the longer fibers of P-line quail was principally the consequence of a greater mitotic rate in the satellite cells of this line compared to the C-line quail.

Selection Environment Influences on Feed and Water Intake of Japanese Quail Following Long-Term Selection for 4-Week Body Weight

Four trials were conducted to investigate feed and water intake of three Japanese quail lines reared under different nutritional environments. The P-line quail were established by long-term selection for high 4-week body weight on a 28% protein diet, T-line quail were similarly established on a 20% protein diet containing .2% thiouracil (TU), and C-line quail were from a randomly mated control population maintained under a separate environment from the P and T lines. Through 6 days of age feed intake of T-line quail under the 28% protein environment was significantly higher than feed intake of P-line quail. This difference did not exist from 6 to 14 days of age. Feed intake of T-line quail under 20% protein environments was always numerically higher than feed intake of P-line quail. Water intake of T-line quail was higher than water intake of P-line quail under all environments. The P-line quail tended to have higher feed efficiencies regardless of environment.The ability of quail selected under a 20% protein + .2% TU environment to perform well when placed under a 28% protein environment, was primarily due to increases in feed and water intake rather than changes in feed efficiency. Conversely, the poor performance of quail selected under a 28% protein environment when placed under, a 20% protein + .2% TU environment was due to their inability to maintain adequate feed intake.

Behaviour and pleiotropy: Generalization of gene effects in the colour preferences of Japanese quail chicks ( C. coturnix japonica)

Two lines of Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica) were artificially selected for colour preferences in 16 generations; one line for preference of blue over red, another for preference of red over blue. A genetic control line was maintained without selection, in parallel generations. Subjects of the blue-selected line exhibited general preferences for the shorter over the longer wavelengths, when tested with stimulus pairs of large hue differences. In similar situations red-line subjects preferred the shorter wavelength, within pairs above 542 nm. The relative strength of colour preferences in the three lines remained significantly different under conditions of both large and small hue differences. Genetic influences in preferences and preference, generalizations were detectable equally well with stimuli administered through wide-band gelatin filters and stimuli administered through narrow-band interference filters. In addition to demonstrating behavioural pleiotropy, the data counterindicated genetic variation in colour vision as a factor in the mediation of gene effects in the quail's colour preferences.

Divergent Selection in Japanese Quail for the Plasma Cholesterol Response to ACTH

Two lines of Japanese quail were divergently selected for high and low plasma cholesterol levels after three daily injections with 2 IU of adrenocorticotropen (ACTH)/100 g of body weight. Plasma cholesterols were obtained at 31 days of age, just before the first injection, and at 34 days of age, after the last injection.After eight generations of selection, the plasma cholesterol level after ACTH injections in the high line was 34% greater than the level in the control line, whereas the low line level was approximately 14% less than that in the control. Selection differentials were significantly greater in the high line than in the low line. The realized heritability for plasma cholesterol after ACTH stimulation was approximately .15 in both lines. The heritability of plasma cholesterol before ACTH treatment calculated by regression of progeny on mid-parent was .25 in the high line and .16 in the low line.

The Effects of Exogenous Steroidal Hormones on the Testes of Quail from Selected High and Low Mating Lines

Several steroid hormones were tested for their effects on the testes of lines of Japanese quail selected for high and low mating frequency. Estradiol benzoate and testosterone propionate caused a complete and partial regression of the testes, respectively, while dihydrotestosterone did not affect testicular weight. Spermatogenesis was adversely affected by both estradiol benzoate and testosterone propionate but not by dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone caused a significant increase in the diameter of the seminiferous tubles while estradiol benzoate and testosterone propionate caused a significant decrease in tubular diameter. Significant line differences were found; the high mating line exceeded the low mating line for each of the treatments except extradiol benzoate. Extradiol benzoate caused testicular regression in both lines.

Reverse Selection in a Japanese Quail Line Previously Selected for 4-Week Body Weight

After 38 generations of individual selection for high 4-week body weight in a Japanese quail line (T) fed a 20% protein diet containing .2% thiouracil, a reverse selected line (TR) was established by selecting quail in the T line with the lowest 4-week body weight. The TR line was thereafter provided with the same nutritional environment as the T line and selected for low 4-week body weight for 5 generations.The mean 4-week body weights of T line quail increased only slightly from generation 38 through 43. The 4-week body weights of the TR line, however, showed a definite downward trend. The difference in 4-week body weight between the T and TR lines in generation 43 was 15.2 g.

Feed Efficiency of Selected and Nonselected Japanese Quail Lines

Two trials were conducted to investigate the feed conversion ratios of quail following long-term selection for high 4-week body weight. Feed conversions of two selected lines were superior to that of the nonselected control line. Feed intake of the selected lines was less than twice that of the control line, while the body weights of selected quail were approximately double the body weights of control quail. Special procedures utilized to reduce feed wastage resulted in feed/gain ratios of 2.08 and 2.34 in the two selected lines through 4 weeks of age on a diet with 28% protein. The feed/gain ratio in the control line was 2.72.

Changes in Unselected Traits Accompanying Long-Term Selection for Four-Week Body Weight in Japanese Quail

The changes in unselected traits following long term selection for high 4-week body weight were evaluated in two Japanese quail lines. Means of these traits (16-week body weight, age at first egg, egg weight, egg production, fertility, and hatchability) of breeders were also used to obtain estimates of trends across generations by regressing line means on generation number.Differences between lines for all traits except percentage hen-day egg production were significant. Body weights and egg weights of the selected lines were larger than corresponding measurements in the nonselected line, whereas fertility and hatchability measurements were larger in the nonselected line.

Long term selection for four-week body weight in Japanese quail under different nutritional environments

Individual phenotypic selection for high 4 week body weight was conducted for 40 generations in two lines of Japanese quail under two protein environments. Line P was selected on an adequate 28% protein diet, and line T was selected on a 20% protein diet containing 0.2% thiouracil (TU). In generation 20, a subline R was established by subjecting progeny from the T line to a 20% protein diet; in generation 27, a subline S was developed by subjecting progeny from the T line to a 28% protein diet containing 0.2% TU. Progeny from a nonselected control line (C) were reared with selected lines and sublines in all generations.Quail in the P line continued to respond to selection for 40 generations; body weights increased from 90 to approximately 200 g. Mean body weights of T line quail peaked in generation 22 and did not appear to show any definite gains thereafter. Body weight responses of sublines R and S were greater than those in the T line and indicate that changing the selection environment following long-term selection may be an effective technique to maximize total selection responses for 4-week body weight in quail. Realized heritability estimates for 4-week body weight were larger in the P line than in the T line in all comparisons. Realized estimates were high (30-45%) for the ten generations 1-10; moderate (15-20%) for generations 11-30, and small (5-10%) for generations 31-40.

Androgen influence on mating behavior in selected lines of Japanese quail

Bidirectional selection for high and low mating behavior has resulted in lines of Japanese quail that differ significantly in mating frequency. To evaluate the effects of this selection on the endocrine aspects of mating behavior, exogenous testosterone cypionate (TC) was administered to caponized and intact males from selected and control lines. Dosages of TC, administered as a single injection, were 0, 5.0, and 10.0 mg for the caponized and 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 mg for the intact males. Mating performance was measured by testing each male individually with a series of female tester-flocks for eight 8-min periods. Capons mated within 3 to 4 days postinjection, with the period of peak activity occurring between the eighth and twelfth days. Hypertrophy of the cloacal gland followed a similar pattern. At no TC level was the mating frequency of caponized males from the low mating line equal to that of males from the high mating line. Furthermore, exogenous TC at these dosages failed to stimulate capons from the high and low mating lines to mate as frequently as the intact males of their respective lines. Exogenous TC had a depressing effect upon the mating frequency of intact males from the high mating and control lines but had no influence on those from the low mating line.

Genetic analysis of behaviors related to the solution of a detour learning task.

A diallel cross involving five noninbred (purebred) lines of Japanese quail indicated that additive and nonadditive genetic effects had important influences on behaviors involved in a detour learning task. Social isolation for 3 hr was used to provide additional motivation which enabled detection of differences among strains. The percentage of quail, within purebred lines, that solved a 4-min detour task three or more consecutive times ranged from 52 to 72. Differences among purebreds were significant for most of the components of the learning task. Further, the data suggested strain differences associated with the successful attainment of the desired goal when there was a similar level of general activity.

Growth of Broilers and Quail Fed Fusarium (Gibberella zeae)-Infected Corn and Zearalenone (F-2)

There were no effects in commercial broilers after the long term ingesting of Fusariwm-infected corn supplying 1, 10, and 30 p.p.m. zearalenone (F-2) in diets. Average gain and feed conversion were similar in all treatment groups. In the first feeding trial the average body weights were higher for males than for females, but the differences were not significant. Purified F-2, 30 p.p.m., was fed to broilers and no chronic effects were observed. Differences in mean body weights between dietary treatments in the two Japanese quail lines were small and not significant after 4 weeks on diets containing 0, 10, and 25 p.p.m. F-2 from Fusarium infected corn.

Genetic analysis of tonic immobility in young Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Data were obtained on tonic immobility from 10th-generation matings of replicated lines of Japanese quail. These lines had been selected for high and low mating ability and included the random-bred control population from which the selected lines originated. At 6, and again at 12 days of age, each bird was subjected to uniform procedures of immobilization and was given two scores, one indicating the number of trials required to induce immobility, another the duration of induced immobility. Although there were no differences between sexes, lines were significantly different for duration and percentage incidence to the immobility response at both ages. Individuals that responded faster also exhibited longer durations of immobility, suggesting a high degree of susceptibility. Heritability estimates indicate that the additive genetic variation effecting tonic immobility is low to moderate in magnitude. These results, when taken in an evolutionary context, suggest prior natural selection for tonic immobility and indicate that this trait is associated with fitness.

Produced by selective breeding of Japanese quail animal model for experimental atherosclerosis.

The Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) was bred selectively to produce a strain highly susceptible to experimental atherosclerosis. A population was produced where aortic atherosclerosis is contracted by 99% of the fourth generation males and 83% of the femlaes. Forty-three percent of the males exhibited severe atherosclerosis making this line of Japanese quail a suitable model for discovering and testing anti-atherosclerosis compounds. This feature is augmented by other features such as size, disposition, and abundance which qualify them as suitable experimental subjects. A second line of Japanese quail was bred to be resistant to dietary-induced atherosclerosis. This strain may be a useful research tool for characterizing the etiology of atherosclerosis.

Genetic Differences in Susceptibility to Ulcerative Enteritis in Japanese Quail

Six lines of Japanese quail were derived from a single foundation population. Four of the lines were selected on the basis of family mean three week body weight, two were unselected and all lines were randomly mated. Quail were housed in wire batteries during the brooding, rearing and laying periods. During the brooding period, hover temperature and floor space per chick were similar from line to line. For the rearing and laying periods, floor space per chick was approximately the same from line to line.During an outbreak of ulcerative enteritis (diagnosed on the basis of gross and histopathology) in generation 31 and again in generation 34, mortality ranged from zero for males of one control line to approximately 50 percent for females of one selected line. Analysis of variance showed that incidence of mortality differed significantly among lines and between sexes. Mortality was generally higher in selected than in control lines and in females than in males. It is suggested that susceptibility to ulcerative enteritis in quail may be a polygenically inherited trait and that the inbreeding which accompanied selection for body size may have made some loci homozygous for susceptibility alleles.