Showing papers on "Coturnix published in 1978"

Involvement of cholecalciferol metabolism in birds in the adaptation of calcium absorption to the needs during reproduction.

Abstract: 1. 1. The metabolism of calcium and cholecalciferol in quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica ) and chicken ( Gallus domesticus ) during maturation was correlated to gonadal activity and plasma oestrogen levels. 2. 2. Birds with undeveloped ovaries (immature), developed ovaries but not laying (mature), and after laying 3–8 eggs (laying), were used in the first series. 3. 3. Birds in which egg production had been arrested by Nicarbazin, were used in the second series. 4. 4. Plasma 17β-oestradiol and calcium were elevated in the mature bird, with no further change in the laying bird. Kidney 25-hydroxycholecalciferol-1-hydroxylase and intestinal calcium-binding protein increased slightly in the mature bird, whereas they were grossly elevated in the laying bird. 5. 5. Calcium and phosphorus absorption were markedly elevated in the laying bird. 6. 6. No changes were noted in plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, at any stage of maturation. 7. 7. During the arrest of egg production by Nicarbazin, 17β-cestradiol level, calcium concentration of plasma, and medullary bone were maintained. Kidney 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol-1-hydroxylase, intestinal calcium-binding protein and absorption of calcium were strikingly reduced. 8. 8. The results suggest that changes in calcium absorption and cholecalciferol metabolism during maturation in birds are not directly affected by gonadal hormones; they appear to represent an adaptation to the increased calcium needs due to medullary bone formation and, more importantly, to the large losses of calcium imposed by shell formation.

Effects of drugs that modify brain monoamine concentrations on photoperiodically-induced testicular growth in coturnix quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Abstract: The monoamine oxidase inhibitor tranylcypromine (TCP) increases brain dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) levels and inhibits photoperiodically-induced testicular growth in quail. Blockade of catecholamine synthesis by n-methyl-tyrosine (MT) in TCP treated quail preferentially elevates 5-HT levels and does not interfere with TCP inhibition of the gonads, however, treatment with parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA) reduces 5-HT and DA and antagonizes the action of TCP. Treatment with PCPA alone causes further augmentation of testicular response to photostimulation and reduces 5-HT and DA levels in the brain, whereas 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) administration elevates central 5-HT stores and partially inhibits testicular development. The results are consistent with the view that 5-HT may have an inhibitory effect on the process of gonadal development; in addition, an inhibitory influence of DA may also be involved.

Infectious bursal disease virus infection attempts in turkeys and Coturnix quail.

Abstract: Attempts failed to infect Coturnix quail with infectious bursal disease (IBD) virus by exposure at 7, 14, 21, and 31 days old. There were no clinical signs or gross and microscopic changes in the bursa of Fabricius, and serologic tests and virus isolation attempts from cloacal swabs were negative. Turkeys of two breeds exposed to IBD virus at 6 or 8 weeks old showed no clinical signs or lesions in the bursa of Fabricius, and the virus could not be isolated from cloacal swabs. They did respond serologically, however, by developing both precipitin and virus-neutralizing antibodies.

The Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) as a laboratory animal

Abstract: The use of the Japanese quail as a laboratory animal was first reported in 1959. Since then this species has been increasingly used as an avian model for biomedical research. A quail colony was recently established in the Dental Research Institute to provide adult birds for teratogenicity and toxicity studies. These birds are not widely used for biological research in South Africa at present. The housing, husbandry, breeding and nutrition of this species is described, together with the biomethodology which is applicable to this species.

Eastern equine encephalomyelitis outbreak in coturnix quail.

Abstract: SUMMARY Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) was the cause of heavy mortality in coturnix quail (Coturnix coturnix) reared commercially in South Carolina. The birds showed depression, tremor, and partial paralysis that advanced into complete paralysis, torticollis, and death within a few hours. The only consistent lesion on necropsy was a catarrhal enteritis in the duodenal area. The disease spread rapidly to all pens throughout the two houses on the farm in all birds over 2 weeks old, and mortality ranged from 40 to 90% in the various pens within the house. Total mortality exceeded 90,000 birds. Age groups on the farm ranged from 1 day to 8 weeks, at which time the birds went for slaughter. It appears that the initial infection was spread by cannibalism. EEE was diagnosed by isolating the virus in fertile eggs and suckling mice, with subsequent identification by complement-fixation.

Social Influences on Operant Behavior in Japanese Quail: Sex Differences Among Subjects, and Sex and Age Differences Among Companions

Abstract: A series of experiments assessed operant key pecking in adult male and female Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) during visual exposure to a variety of companion conditions using within-subjects designs. Experiment 1 replicated earlier findings with male quail, and showed that significant response inhibition occurred during exposure to male con-specifics. Experiment 2 demonstrated that exposing male quail to female companions did not increase social inhibition beyond that obtained with male companions. In Experiment 3, female subjects did not inhibit key pecking significantly during exposure to males. Male quail are highly aroused sexually when exposed to either male or female conspecifics, and it was suggested that competing sexual behavior patterns underlie the social inhibition effect. Experiment 4 showed that male quail significantly reduced operant responding during exposure to a newly hatched chick (although males generally do not interact with young conspecifics, or participate in rearing). The female Coturnix builds the nest, incubates the eggs, and maintains the brood; however, in Experiment 5 the only significant companion effect for females was one of enhanced key pecking in the presence of either a chick or an adult male conspecific. The social inhibition effect for this species is a general one for male subjects, but for females the effect varies widely as a function of companion characteristics.

Ultrastructure of the parathyroid gland of the quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica.

Abstract: Electron microscopic studies were made of the parathyroid gland of quail aged 4 to 12 months. Most parenchymal cells consisted of chief cells. Sometimes, cells having numerous microfilaments, scant granular endoplasmic reticulum, a few mitochondria, a small Golgi apparatus, and long cell processes that extended between contiguous cells were located on a basal lamina. These cells may serve as supporting cells rather than as secreting cells. Numerous free ribosomes, abundant mitochondria, a well-developed granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, many prosecretory granules and lysosomes, and a few mature secretory granules were characteristic of the chief cells. The cisternae of the Golgi apparatus were arranged in circular and serpiginous profiles in some chief cells. Secretory granules were distributed randomly throughout the cytoplasm and near the plasma membrane. Some cisternae of the granular endoplasmic reticulum occurred in close proximity to mitochondria. Morphological evidence for the synthetic and secretory activities of the chief cells suggested an active parathyroid function.

Effect of NTA and EDTA on calcium metabolism of chickens and Coturnix.

Abstract: Five experiments were conducted in which various levels of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA or its salt, Na2NTA) disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Na2EDTA) and calcium (Ca) were fed to young chicks, young quail and adult quail. The duration of trials was from 1 to 28 days of age for chicks, 7 to 49 for young quail and 167 to 210 for adult quail. Feeding 0.71% NTA or an equimolar level of Na2NTA caused a moderate decrease in chicks weight and Na2EDTA caused a drastic decrease in body weight of chicks and adult quail. Feeding Na2EDTA caused greater mortality in chicks receiving a low Ca diet than a higher level of Ca. Plasma Ca levels were significantly increased by NTA in young quail and by Na2NTA in adult quail, in contrast, they were significantly decreased by Na2EDTA in adult quail. Dietary NTA promoted greater tibia mineralization (ash/dry matter) in growing chicks. Dietary NTA increased the deposition of zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) in the chicks tibia, but, it decreased magnesium (Mg). On the other hand, Na2EDTA caused a significant decrease in Zn and Fe in the chicks tibia and a significant increase in Mn. Coturnix are less sensitive than chickens in responding to dietary chelates.

Effect of lead ingestion on vitamin D3 metabolism in Japanese quail.

Abstract: Immature female Japanese quail were given either lead acetate or sodium acetate in the drinking water for 15 days. In vitro kidney production of 1, 25- and 24-25- dihydroxyvitamin D3 from tritiated 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was measured. At all 3 dose levels of lead acetate (0.32, 3.2 and 32 mg Pb/ml), in vitro kidney production of 1,25-(OH)2D3 was increased significantly compared to control levels treated with sodium acetate. Lead treatment had no significant effect on plasma calcium and inorganic phosphate levels.

Liver Catalase Electrophoretic Pattern of the Quail Coturnix coturni japonica

Abstract: Three types of single-banded electrophoretic pattern of the quail liver catalase were obtained. Bands in these types were designated F, M and S in the order of decreasing mobility towards the anode. It may be probable that the catalase patterns are conrolled by two alleles, CtF and CtS, at an autosomal locus. The M-banded pattern may represent that of heterozygous bird. Out of 231 quails examined 16, 120 and 95 were classified as Ct F, Ct M and Ct S, respectiveely.