Japanese Quail Populations Research Articles

Bayesian analysis of additive and non-additive genetic variances of body weight gain traits in crossbred population of Japanese quail

Aim of study: To select the appropriate model for body weight gain (BWG) traits in different ages and estimation of additive and non-additive genetic variances based on the best model, of a crossbred population of quail. Area of study: Zabol, Iran Materials and methods: Four strains of Japanese quail, including Italian Speckled, Tuxedo, Pharaoh, and A&M Texas, were used to create a crossbred population in a partial diallel design over 4 generations. BWG traits were calculated as the average growth performance of the bird in a 5-day period from hatch to 45 days of age. Analyses were performed using the Bayesian method by fitting 24 models including the additive and non-additive genetic effects. The deviance information criteria (DIC) was used for the selection of an appropriate model for each trait. Main results: Based on DIC, the maternal genetic, maternal permanent environmental, dominance and epistasis effects had a significant contribution to the best model for BWG traits before 25 days of age, whereas these effects were not significant on BWG traits at the end of ages. With the best model, direct heritability of BWG traits in different ages ranged from 0.037 (BWG15-20) to 0.199 (BWG5-10). The maternal genetic and maternal permanent environmental as a proportion of phenotypic variance was less than 10% and 5%, respectively. The ratio of dominance and epistasis variance was in the range of 0.016-0.019, and 0.016-0.019, respectively. Research highlights: Non- additive genetic effects are important for the early BWG traits and must be included in the evaluation models to have accurate estimates.

Detection of a novel single nucleotide polymorphism in IGF2 gene with a negative impact on egg production and body weight in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

BackgroundInsulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is one of three hormones that share high structural similarity to insulin. It is involved in several insulin-like growth-regulating and mitogenic activities. This study was conducted to genotype the coding regions of the IGF2 gene in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) using PCR-SSCP-sequencing, and to assess the possible association of the polymorphism of these regions with the main egg production traits. A total of 240 female birds with an equal number of three Japanese quail populations (Brown or BR, Black or BL, and White or WT) were included in this study. ResultsAll the genotyped regions exerted no heterogeneity in their sequences with one exception detected in the exon 2. In this locus, a novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was detected in which “A” was substituted with “G” at 81 position with a silent effect (p.F79=SNP) on IGF2 protein. Association analyses indicated a significant (P < 0.05) relation of this SNP with egg number (EN) and bird weight (BW) in the analyzed populations, in which the birds with AG genotype had lower EN and BW than those with AA genotype. The p.F79=SNP was largely detected in the WT line than the other two lines. ConclusionThe detected p.F79=SNP has a highly negative effect on EN and BW in Japanese quail. Thus, the implementation of the variations of the IGF2 gene can be a useful marker in the marker-assisted selection of Japanese quail. This is the first report to describe IGF2 gene variations in Japanese quail, which strongly suggests raising the birds from the BR line with AA genotype when breeders desire to raise Japanese quail for large-scale egg production.

Identification of SNPs Associated with Stress Response Traits within High Stress and Low Stress Lines of Japanese Quail.

Mitigation of stress is of great importance in poultry production, as chronic stress can affect the efficiency of production traits. Selective breeding with a focus on stress responses can be used to combat the effects of stress. To better understand the genetic mechanisms driving differences in stress responses of a selectively bred population of Japanese quail, we performed genomic resequencing on 24 birds from High Stress (HS) and Low Stress (LS) lines of Japanese quail using Illumina HiSeq 2 × 150 bp paired end read technology in order to analyze Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) within the genome of each line. SNPs are common mutations that can lead to genotypic and phenotypic variations in animals. Following alignment of the sequencing data to the quail genome, 6,364,907 SNPs were found across both lines of quail. 10,364 of these SNPs occurred in coding regions, from which 2886 unique, non-synonymous SNPs with a SNP% ≥ 0.90 and a read depth ≥ 10 were identified. Using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, we identified genes affected by SNPs in pathways tied to immune responses, DNA repair, and neurological signaling. Our findings support the idea that the SNPs found within HS and LS lines of quail could direct the observed changes in phenotype.

Genetic Evaluation of Egg Production and Egg Quality Attributes in Japanese Quails through Partial Periods

Background: Egg production efficiency is typically measured through age and body weight at sexual maturity, egg number and egg weight during certain production periods. Increased egg weight and number of eggs are the primary purpose of the laying bird breeding programmes. Partial period analysis enhances selection process as the variations occurring throughout the bird’s productive life are identified and helps in the selection decisions. The current study aimed to study the genetic parameters such as heritability, phenotypic and genetic correlations to improve egg production performance and egg quality traits in Japanese quail reared at the Central Avian Research Institute (CARI).Methods: In present investigation, data recording was carried out from the Japanese quail population at experimental quail farm, CARI during 2019-2020. The individual mating was conducted between 180 sires and 180 dams of three varieties of Japanese quails were randomly selected from the base populations to develop first generation of experimental population. The hatched chicks were wing banded and the pedigree details recorded. For economic traits such as egg production and egg quality estimation, 40 sires and 40 dams were selected and parameters were evaluated. Result: In this present investigation, egg number from 10-16th week of age exhibited moderate to high heritable values. Egg weight was estimated moderate heritability traits. In egg quality traits, all values were moderate to high heritable values except yolk density in all the three varieties.

Mode of Inheritance of Immunocompetence Traits in Three Japanese Quail Populations

Mode of Inheritance of Immunocompetence Traits in Three Japanese Quail Populations

The interior quality of egg in four outbred F1 populations of Japanese quail

This study was conducted to evaluate the interior quality of egg in four outbred F1 population of Japanese quail. Two hundred Japanese quails were used in this study. They were grouped into four lines based on their mating systems, i.e. male brown quail 1 and female black quail 2 (BL1), male brown 2 and female black 1 (BL2), male black 1 and female brown 2 (LB1), and male black 2 and female quail 1 (LB2). Each line consisted of 50 quails. Eggs were collected at the age of 10 weeks. Interior egg characteristics were tested for three consecutive days. They were height, weight, and index of albumen; weight, height, and index of yolk, yolk color score, and Haugh unit (HU). The data was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and pairwise differences among lines were performed using Duncan's multiple range test (DMRT). The results showed that albumen weight and yolk height were significantly different among lines (P<0.05). Better albumen weight and yolk height were found in LB populations. Other traits were not different among outbreeding populations. It can be concluded that the best interior qualities of egg were produced by LB quail populations.

Effects of phytogenic feed additives, probiotic and mannan-oligosaccharides on performance, blood metabolites, meat quality, intestinal morphology, and microbial population of Japanese quail

ABSTRACT1. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) and dill (Anethum graveolens) essential oils (AEO and DEO, respectively), probiotic (PRO) and mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) on the growth performance, serum metabolites, meat quality, intestinal morphology and microbial populations of Japanese quail.2. A total of 375 one-day-old Japanese quail were randomly allocated into five treatment groups with five replicates of 15 birds each for a 42 d feeding experiment. The dietary treatments were a basal diet (control) or the same diet supplemented with PRO (0.15 g/kg feed), MOS (2 g/kg feed), AEO (0.25 g/kg feed) or DEO (0.25 g/kg feed).3. AEO, MOS, and PRO supplementation increased weight gain, while diets supplemented with AEO decreased feed intake (FI), and improved feed conversion ratio from d 1 to 21 (P < 0.05). The relative weight of the gizzard was higher in birds supplemented with AEO compared to control group, while the birds fed MOS diet had the longest intestine (P < 0.05). Ceca length was greater in control, MOS and PRO groups (P < 0.05). Both essential oils decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration of breast meat and percentage of cooking loss in quail (P < 0.05). The villus length (VL) was greater in birds fed diet supplemented with MOS, AEO, and DEO (P < 0.05).The population of E.coli decreased in Japanese quail fed MOS, while Lactobacilli spp. count was increased in the MOS group (P < 0.05).4. In conclusion, AEO, MOS, and PRO supplementation exhibited a positive effect on growth performance, while lipid peroxidation of the meat decreased in birds fed AEO and DEO diets. The intestinal morphometric indices increased in quail fed the AEO, MOS, and DEO diets. Supplementation with MOS modulated intestinal microbial populations of the Japanese quail.

Keragaman genetik puyuh Jepang (Coturnix japonica) berdasarkan analisis sekuen DNA mitokondria gen Cytochrome-b

Coturnix japonica is a Japanese quail which is commonly raised in Indonesia. The aim of the study was to determine the genetic diversity of Japanese quail ( Coturnix japonica ) based on complete sequence of mitochondrial DNA Cytochrome b gene analysis. This study used 12 samples of quail blood collected from two different village breeding centres (VBC) representing black and brown plumage lines. Total DNA genome was isolated from whole blood by following the Wizard® Genomic DNA Purification Kit protocol (Promega, USA). The DNA amplification process in this study was carried out using novel forward and reverse primers using Primer3 software. Additionally, PCR products were sequenced and analysed using MEGA 6.0 and DNAsp v.5 softwares. A total of 21 sequences consists of 12 sequences of quail sample and 9 reference sequences obtained from NCBI website were analyzed to construct phylogenetic tree and to evaluate genetic diversity of Japanese quails. The sequence analysis showed that Japanese quail population in this study had kinship with Francolinus pintadeanus and Coturnix chinensis with an 81% bootstrap value. The genetic distance among Japanese quails was ranged from 0.000 to 0.003. In addition, the mean of genetic distance for Japanese quail was 0.002 and the mean of genetic distance for 21 samples was 0.067. Tajima D'test values were -1.35536 for Japanese quail population and -1.38090 for whole population used in this study. The conclusion of this study was the Japanese quail had low genetic diversity based on complete sequence of Mitochondrial DNA Cytochrome b gene analysis that mean Japanese quail had low level of evolution

Effect of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract and Lipozyme® on the Hematological Profile and Leukocytes Population of Japanese Quail

Effect of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract and Lipozyme® on the Hematological Profile and Leukocytes Population of Japanese Quail

Impact of Rosmarinus officinalis cold-pressed oil on health, growth performance, intestinal bacterial populations, and immunocompetence of Japanese quail

This study was performed to study the impacts of rosemary cold-pressed oil (RCPO) for biostimulating health, growth performance, and intestinal bacterial populations of Japanese quail. The study included 300 growing 1-wk-old Japanese quails. Birds were divided into 3 groups in a complete randomized design experiment that involved 3 levels of RCPO (0, 1.00 and 2.00mL/kg diet). Results revealed that the addition of rosemary oil numerically increased values of body weight and body weight gain when compared with the control group, particularly the highest level of RCPO (2.00mL/kg diet). Birds fed diets supplemented with rosemary oil consumed more feed (P ≤ 0.01) compared with those fed the control diet. Feed conversion ratio tended to be improved in rosemary oil groups during the period 3 to 6 wk of age (P = 0.013). The highest level of rosemary oil (2.00mL/kg diet) had the best impact on all carcass traits studied. RCPO supplementation showed an increase in serum total protein, metabolic hormones levels, while it reduced serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, and protein carbonyl levels. Moreover, RCPO increased antioxidative enzymes, and reduced the lipid peroxidation in quail liver. The supplementation of 2mL/RCPO kg diet showed significant reduction in populations of total cultural bacterial count, coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp. in the ileum when compared to the control. The current results showed that RCPO supplementation to Japanese quails diet could enhance the growth performance and reduce the intestinal pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, RCPO can be a beneficial antimicrobial and growth-promoting feed supplement for the Japanese quail.

EGG QUALITY TRAITS IN WG, GG AND GL JAPANESE QUAIL POPULATIONS

The aim of the study was to evaluate egg quality traits in three heavy Japanese quail populations created and reared in the Poultry Breeding Unit of the Trakia University – Bulgaria, marked as WG, GG and GL. In the experiments, 160 female birds from populations WG and GG, and 96 birds from population GL were tested up to the 6th production month. The main egg quality traits were controlled. The highest average egg weight was registered in WG group and the lowest in GL group, 14.04±0.32 g and 12.79±0.29 g respectively (p&lt;0.05). The highest average Shape index was observed in group GG (78.31±0.53%), vs the lowest in WG quails (77.55±0.62%). Albumen proportion is almost 2/3 of egg mass, with average values from 57.14% in group WG tо 59.90% in group GG. Yolk proportion was about 30%, with smaller differences between the groups. The shell share from all tested groups comprised between 10.95 and 12.58% of egg weight. Average shell thickness was the greatest in eggs of WG quails (223.53±5.52 μm), and the lowest – in GG quails (216.91±6.83 μm). Egg quality traits were typical for the meat productive type of Japan quails.

COMPARATIVE INVESTIGATION OF EGG PRODUCTION IN WG, GG AND GL JAPANESE QUAIL POPULATIONS

The aim of the study was to evaluate egg production in three heavy Japanese quail populations created and reared in the Poultry Breeding Unit of the Trakia University – Bulgaria, marked as WG, GG and GL. In the experiments, 160 female birds from populations WG and GG, and 96 female birds from population GL were tested up to the 6th production month. The main egg production traits were controlled. The highest egg production for the period was demonstrated in group GL (79.84±4.46%), followed by group GG (76.33±3.40%) and group WG (72.11±4.16%). Quails from the WG group were outlined with least efficient feed conversion per egg (74.49±1.21 g feed), while those from the GL group: with the most efficient one – 64.93±1.41 g (p&lt;0.01). The highest average egg weight in descending order was observed in the WG group (14.04±0.32 g), GG group (13.65±0.27 g) and GL group (12.79±0.29 g). The Japanese quail populations created and maintained at the Trakia University showed a potentially good egg production for the production type they belonged to, which makes them attractive for use in interline hybridisation schedules, including for production of autosexing stock layers.

Genetic Divergence in Domestic Japanese Quail Inferred from Mitochondrial DNA D-Loop and Microsatellite Markers

To assess the genetic diversity of domestic Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) populations, and their genetic relationships, we examined mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop sequences and microsatellite markers for 19 Japanese quail populations. The populations included nine laboratory lines established in Japan (LWC, Quv, RWN, WE, AWE, AMRP, rb-TKP, NIES-L, and W), six meat-type quail lines reimported from Western countries (JD, JW, Estonia, NIES-Br, NIES-Fr, and NIES-Hn), one commercial population in Japan, and three wild quail populations collected from three Asian areas. The phylogenetic tree of mtDNA D-loop sequences revealed two distinct haplotype groups, Dloop-Group1 and Dloop-Group2. Dloop-Group1 included a dominant haplotype representing most of the quail populations, including wild quail. Dloop-Group2 was composed of minor haplotypes found in several laboratory lines, two meat-type lines, and a few individuals in commercial and wild quail populations. Taking the breeding histories of domestic populations into consideration, these results suggest that domestic quail populations may have derived from two sources, i.e., domestic populations established before and after World War II in Japan. A discriminant analysis of principal components and a Bayesian clustering analysis with microsatellite markers indicated that the domestic populations are clustered into four genetic groups. The two major groups were Microsat-Group1, which contained WE, and four WE-derived laboratory lines (LWC, Quv, RWN, and AWE), and Microsat-Group2 consisting of NIES-L, JD, JW, Estonia, NIES-Br, NIES-Fr, NIES-Hn, W, and commercial and wild populations. The remaining two lines (AMRP and rb-TKP) were each clustered into a separate clade. This hierarchical genetic difference between domestic quail populations is attributed to the genetic background derived from two different genetic sources—the pre-war and post-war populations—which is well supported by their breeding histories.

Fatty acid composition of meat and genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci in 3 generations of Japanese quail populations

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different lines and generations of adult males and females of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) on total lipid, fatty acid (FA) composition and cholesterol content of breast muscle, as well as the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling the above mentioned meat quality traits. Forty-four quails (generation F0), 22 Pharaoh (F-33) meat-type males and 22 Standard (S-22) laying-type females, were crossed to produce the F1 hybrids generation. F2 generation was created by mating one F1 male with one F1 female, full siblings. The birds, randomly chosen from F0 (22 males and 22 females), F1 (22 males and 22 females) and F2 (84 males and 152 females), were raised to 20 weeks of age in collective cages. After slaughter the carcasses were dissected and the breast muscle was removed for the chemical analysis. Genomic DNA was extracted from the whole blood and 30 microsatellite markers located on two quail chromosomes were genotyped. S-22 quails exhibited higher amounts of total saturated fatty acids (SFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), while F-33 quails had a greater content of total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). F-33 quails supplied meat with lower atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes. A partial effect of sex on the FA composition of quail meat was found in the F1 generation; while in the F2 generation a sex-effect was more evident. F2 females exhibited a higher PUFA content and PUFA/SFA ratio, and a lower muscle cholesterol content compared to F2 males. In conclusion, total lipid, FA composition and cholesterol content were affected by first- and second-generation crosses. For the cholesterol content a QTL showing additive effect has been detected on CJA02 at 85 cM; no QTLs were found for total SFA, MUFA and PUFA. To current knowledge, this is the first study of a QTL associated with muscle cholesterol in quails.

A chromosome-wide QTL mapping on chromosome 2 to identify loci affecting live weight and carcass traits in F2 population of Japanese quail

A chromosome-wide QTL mapping on chromosome 2 to identify loci affecting live weight and carcass traits in F2 population of Japanese quail

Growth performance, meat quality traits, and genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci in 3 generations of Japanese quail populations (Coturnix japonica)

The current research was conducted to compare growth, carcass traits, pH, intramuscular collagen (IMC) properties, and genetic bases of IMC and carcasses (breast-muscle weight) of different lines and generations of adult males and females of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Forty-four quails (generation F0), 22 Pharaoh (F-33) meat-type males and 22 Standard (S-22) laying-type females, were crossed to produce the F1 hybrids generation. The F2 generation was created by mating one F1 male with one F1 female, full siblings. The birds, randomly chosen from F0 (22 males and 22 females), F1 (22 males and 22 females), and F2 (84 males and 152 females) were raised to 20 wk of age in collective cages. Quails were fed ad libitum commercial diets. At slaughter, all birds were individually weighed (after a fasting period of 12 h) and dressing yield (without giblets) was calculated. The carcasses were then dissected. Genomic DNA was extracted from all of the blood, and 30 microsatellite markers located on 2 quail chromosomes were genotyped. The F- 33 quails had higher in vivo and postmortem performances and a higher abdominal fat percentage than those of the egg line. Meat from S- 22 quails had a slower collagen maturation (hydroxylysylpyridinoline crosslink/collagen) and a higher ultimate pH. The F1 and F2 generations showed an evident sexual dimorphism, and an additional effect could be due to hybrid heterosis evident in F2. Meat from quails of F1 and F2 generations had a lower IMC amount with a higher degree of collagen maturation compared with parental lines. Two statistically significant QTL have been detected on quail chromosome 2 (CJA02): a QTL with an additive effect (0.50) for IMC in the marker bracket GUJ0037 and GUJ0093; a second QTL with additive (1.32) and dominant (1.91) effects for breast-muscle weight in the marker bracket GUJ0084 and GUJ0073. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a QTL associated with breast-muscle weight and IMC in quail and poultry species, respectively.

Genetic analysis of an F2 intercross between two strains of Japanese quail provided evidence for quantitative trait loci affecting carcass composition and internal organs

The purpose of this study was to identify genomic regions, quantitative trait loci (QTL), affecting carcass traits on chromosome 1 in an F2 population of Japanese quail. For this purpose, two white and wild strains of Japanese quail (16 birds) were crossed reciprocally and F1 generation (34 birds) was created. The F2 generation was produced by intercrossing of the F1 birds. Phenotypic data including carcass weight, internal organs and carcass parts were collected on F2 animals (422 birds). The total mapping population (472 birds) was genotyped for 8 microsatellite markers on chromosome 1. QTL analysis was performed with interval mapping method applying the line-cross model. Significant QTL were identified for breast weight at 0 (P < 0.01), 172 (P < 0.05) and 206 (P < 0.01), carcass weight at 91 (P < 0.05), carcass fatness at 0 (P < 0.01), pre-stomach weight at 206 (P < 0.01) and uropygial weight gland at 197 (P < 0.01) cM on chromosome 1. There was also evidence for imprinted QTL affecting breast weight (P < 0.01) on chromosome 1. The proportion of the F2 phenotypic variation explained by the significant additive, dominance and imprinted QTL effects ranged from 1.0 to 7.3%, 1.2 to 3.3% and 1.4 to 2.2%, respectively.

Identification of QTL for live weight and growth rate using DNA markers on chromosome 3 in an F2 population of Japanese quail

The Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) is an important agricultural species and is an animal model for genetic researches. This study was conducted to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting live weight and growth rate on chromosome 3 in quail. Two strains of Japanese quail including wild and white were crossed reciprocally and F1 generation was created. The birds from F2 generation were measured for growth traits and all of 472 birds (8 pairs from the parental strains, 34 F1 birds and 422 F2 birds) were genotyped for microsatellite markers on chromosome 3. The results indicated chromosome wide significant QTL for hatching weight (P<0.01) and weight at 1, 2, 3 and 4weeks of age, average daily gain from hatch to 1, 1-2 and 3-4weeks of age and Kleiber ratio (P<0.05), an indirect criterion of feed efficiency. The highest QTL additive and imprinting effects (2.72 and 0.79% of the trait variation in the F2 population, respectively) were related to hatching weight. The identified QTL for this trait (at 7cM relative to the centromeric region of the chromosome) had significant interaction with sex and hatch (P<0.01). The dominance effect of QTL was significant (P<0.05) for bodyweight at one week of age accounting for 1.69% of the trait variation in the F2 population.

Cryoconservation of avian gonads in Canada

Avian genetic resources have declined dramatically over the past half century as the cost of maintaining populations has exceeded the perceived benefit of keeping them. Despite the early importance of poultry in the development of cryopreservation techniques, very little avian germplasm has been conserved. Cryopreservation and recovery of avian gonads preserve the W chromosome and overcome problems of freezing and recovering semen or conserving and manipulating embryonic cells, and the use of vitrification procedures for preserving gonads minimizes cellular damage. On the basis of research demonstrating the biological possibility of cryopreserving and transplanting avian gonads, 5,125 testicles and 2,667 ovaries from 10 populations of Japanese quail, 9 populations of chickens, and 1 population of Chilean tinamou were cryopreserved and sent to the Canadian Animal Genetic Resources program for long-term storage. These gonads represent 20 of the 33 distinct avian populations currently maintained at Canadian public institutions of agricultural research.

Genetic evaluation of meat quality traits and their correlation with growth and carcase composition in Japanese quail

1. Estimates of heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations of performance and meat quality traits were obtained in a population of Japanese quail using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedures. 2. The heritability estimates for body weight (BW) traits ranged from 0·15 at hatch to 0·42 at six weeks. For carcase composition traits, heritability estimates ranged from 0·12 for carcase yield to 0·26 for abdominal fat yield and for meat quality traits they ranged from 0·18 for drip loss to 0·54 for yellowness of the meat. 3. Negative genetic correlations were found between BW and carcase traits with ultimate pH and drip loss ranging from −0·01 (BW at hatch) to −0·40 (skin yield). Redness and yellowness showed negative genetic correlations with BW and carcase traits, whereas the genetic correlations with lightness were positive (from 0·04 to 0·43). 4. Shear force and cooking loss showed positive genetic correlations with carcase, breast, abdominal and skin yield. 5. In conclusion, meat quality traits have the potential to be improved through genetic selection but selection for higher BW and carcase composition may reduce the meat quality of Japanese quail through reducing redness, ultimate pH and intramuscular fat and increasing lightness, shear force and cooking loss of the meat.