Showing papers on "Coturnix published in 2004"
TL;DR: Results indicate that, despite amino acid sequence differences, quail GnIH and sparrow GnIh have similar inhibitory effects on the reproductive axis in wild sparrow species, and GniH appears to be a modulator of gonadotropin release.
Abstract: The neuropeptide control of gonadotropin secretion is primarily through the stimulatory action of the hypothalamic decapeptide, GnRH. We recently identified a novel hypothalamic dodecapeptide with a C-terminal LeuPro-Leu-Arg-Phe-NH2 sequence in the domestic bird, Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). This novel peptide inhibited gonadotropin release in vitro from the quail anterior pituitary; thus it was named gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH). GnIH may be an important factor regulating reproductive activity not only in domesticated birds but also in wild, seasonally breeding birds. Thus, we tested synthetic quail GnIH in seasonally breeding wild bird species. In an in vivo experiment, chicken gonadotropin-releasing hormone-I (cGnRH-I) alone or a cGnRH-I/quail GnIH cocktail was injected i.v. into non-breeding song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). Quail GnIH rapidly (within 2 min) attenuated the GnRH-induced rise in plasma LH. Furthermore, we tested the effects of quail GnIH in castrated, photostimulated Gambel's white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii), using quail GnIH or saline for injection. Again, quail GnIH rapidly reduced plasma LH (within 3 min) compared with controls. To characterize fully the action of GnIH in wild birds, the identification of their endogenous GnIH is essential. Therefore, in the present study a cDNA encoding GnIH in the brain of Gambel's white-crowned sparrow was cloned by a combination of 3' and 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends and compared with the quail GnIH cDNA previously identified. The deduced sparrow GnIH precursor consisted of 173 amino acid residues, encoding one sparrow GnIH and two sparrow GnIH-related peptides (sparrow GnIH-RP-1 and GnIH-RP-2) that included Leu-Pro-Xaa-Arg-Phe-NH2 (Xaa=Leu or Gln) at their C-termini. All these peptide sequences were flanked by a glycine C-terminal amidation signal and a single basic amino acid on each end as an endoproteolytic site. Although the homology of sparrow and quail GnIH precursors was approximately 66%, the C-terminal structures of GnIH, GnIH-RP-1 and GnIH-RP-2 were all identical in two species. In situ hybridization revealed the cellular localization of sparrow GnIH mRNA in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus. Immunohistochemical analysis also showed that sparrow GnIH-like immunoreactive cell bodies and terminals were localized in the PVN and median eminence respectively. Thus, only the sparrow PVN expresses GnIH, which appears to be a hypothalamic inhibitory factor for LH release, as evident from our field injections of GnIH into free-living breeding white-crowned sparrows. Sparrow GnIH rapidly (within 2 min) reduced plasma LH when injected into free-living Gambel's white-crowned sparrows on their breeding grounds in northern Alaska. Taken together, our results indicate that, despite amino acid sequence differences, quail GnIH and sparrow GnIH have similar inhibitory effects on the reproductive axis in wild sparrow species. Thus, GnIH appears to be a modulator of gonadotropin release.
228 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the expression of thyroid hormone receptors in the median eminence (ME) suggested that photoperiodically generated T3 acts on the ME, and conventional transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the encasement of the terminals by the end feet of glia under short-day conditions.
Abstract: In a previous study we showed that photoperiodically generated T3 in the hypothalamus is critical for the photoperiodic response of gonads in Japanese quail. The expression of thyroid hormone receptors in the median eminence (ME) suggested that photoperiodically generated T3 acts on the ME. Because thyroid hormone is known to play a critical role in the development and plasticity of the central nervous system, in the present study we have examined ultrastructure of the ME in Japanese quail kept in short-day and long-day environments. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that GnRH nerve terminals are in close proximity to the basal lamina under long-day conditions, and conventional transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the encasement of the terminals by the endfeet of glia under short-day conditions. These morphological changes may regulate photoperiodic GnRH secretion.
171 citations
TL;DR: Testosterone levels in eggs of Chinese painted quail were experimentally manipulated to evaluate its effects on growth and immunocompetence and it was found that elevated testosterone levels during embryonic development were immunosuppressive for chicks with inherently higher growth rate.
Abstract: In oviparous vertebrates, maternal steroid allocation to eggs can have important fitness consequences for the offspring. However, elevated testosterone levels are not only associated with beneficial postnatal effects, such as enhanced growth and high social status, but may also entail costs by suppressing the immune system. In this study, testosterone levels in eggs of Chinese painted quail (Coturnix chinensis) were experimentally manipulated to evaluate its effects on growth and immunocompetence. Testosterone did not affect embryonic development, body size or growth during the first 20 days. However, elevated testosterone levels during embryonic development were immunosuppressive for chicks with inherently higher growth rate. Adaptive scenarios where only beneficial effects of increased testosterone levels are considered may therefore need to be re-evaluated.
119 citations
TL;DR: The data suggest that CLA may affect hatchability possibly by changing the fatty acid composition of the yolk, and the effects of dietary CLA on quail egg fatty acid content and hatchability.
63 citations
TL;DR: Comparisons of cell size and number showed that aged sexually active males had fewer, larger AROM-ir cells when compared to young males, suggesting neuroplasticity of specific neural systems and a critical role of estradiol in maintaining reproductive function.
60 citations
TL;DR: Different phase relationships between Per2 and Cry1 in the Japanese quail PT under different photoperiods may decodePhotoperiodic information and regulate photoperperiodic PRL secretion in a manner similar to that of mammals.
Abstract: Prolactin (PRL) secretion is regulated by photoperiod in mammals and birds. In mammals, the pars tuberalis (PT) in the pituitary is involved in the regulation of photoperiodic regulation of PRL secretion. In birds, however, hypothalamic vasoactive intestinal peptide is implicated in PRL secretion, and physiological roles of the avian PT remain unknown. In the present study, we show that PRL secretion increases under long days and short days with a night interruptive schedule, both of which also cause gonadal growth in Japanese quail. We have also found Cry1 gene expression in the PT of Japanese quail. Cry1 expression was rhythmic under long and short photoperiods in the PT, and the peak was phase delayed under a lengthened photoperiod. Moreover, expression of Cry1 gene was induced by a light pulse but only when given during the photoinducible phase. In our previous study, we have shown rhythmic Per2 gene expression with a peak in the PT during the early day under various photoperiods. When taken together with the results from the present study, different phase relationships between Per2 and Cry1 in the Japanese quail PT under different photoperiods may decode photoperiodic information and regulate photoperiodic PRL secretion in a manner similar to that of mammals.
50 citations
TL;DR: The distribution of CRF‐immunoreactive (‐ir) perikarya and fibers in the chicken and quail brain was found to be more extensive than previously reported, notably in the telencephalon, which has important implications for understanding the role of extrahypothalamic CRF systems in emotional responses in birds.
Abstract: In birds, as in mammals, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is present in a number of extrahypothalamic brain regions, indicating that CRF may play a role in physiological and behavioral responses other than the control of adrenocorticotropin hormone release by the pituitary. To provide a foundation for investigation of the roles of CRF in the control of avian behavior, the distribution of CRF immunoreactivity was determined throughout the central nervous system of the domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus) and Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). The distribution of CRF-immunoreactive (-ir) perikarya and fibers in the chicken and quail brain was found to be more extensive than previously reported, notably in the telencephalon. Numerous CRF-ir perikarya and fibers were present in the hyperstriatum, hippocampus, neostriatum, lobus parolfactorius, and archistriatum, as well as in the nucleus taeniae, nucleus accumbens, and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, which exhibited the strongest immunolabeling in the telencephalon. The presence of dense populations of CRF-ir perikarya in the medial lobus parolfactorius, nucleus of the stria terminalis, and paleostriatum ventrale, apparently giving rise to CRF-ir projections to the mesencephalic reticular formation, the parabrachial/pericerulear region, and the dorsal vagal complex, suggests that these telencephalic areas may constitute part of the avian "central extended amygdala." These results have important implications for understanding the role of extrahypothalamic CRF systems in emotional responses in birds.
49 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that selection for reduced adrenocortical responsiveness in Coturnix is accompanied by an accelerated onset of puberty in males, and enhanced reproductive development in LS males remains extant throughout early to middle-age adulthood.
48 citations
TL;DR: Comparison of chromosome painting and chromosome mapping with chicken DNA probes against the blue-breasted quail and California quail revealed that there are several intrachromosomal rearrangements, pericentric and/or paracentric inversions, in chromosomes 1, 2 and 4 between chicken and the Old World quail.
Abstract: We conducted comparative chromosome painting and chromosome mapping with chicken DNA probes against the blue-breasted quail (Coturnix chinensis, CCH) and California quail (Callipepla californica, CCA), which are classified into the Old World quail and the New World quail, respectively. Each chicken probe of chromosomes 1-9 and Z painted a pair of chromosomes in the blue-breasted quail. In California quail, chicken chromosome 2 probe painted chromosomes 3 and 6, and chicken chromosome 4 probe painted chromosomes 4 and a pair of microchromosomes. Comparison of the cytogenetic maps of the two quail species with those of chicken and Japanese quail revealed that there are several intrachromosomal rearrangements, pericentric and/or paracentric inversions, in chromosomes 1, 2 and 4 between chicken and the Old World quail. In addition, a pericentric inversion was found in chromosome 8 between chicken and the three quail species. Ordering of the Z-linked DNA clones revealed the presence of multiple rearrangements in the Z chromosomes of the three quail species. Comparing these results with the molecular phylogeny of Galliformes species, it was also cytogenetically supported that the New World quail is classified into a different clade from the lineage containing chicken and the Old World quail.
38 citations
TL;DR: Hybridization could lead to an increased proportion of quail showing sedentary rather than migratory behaviour, and hybrids that do show migrating behaviour have the potential to facilitate Japanese gene flow into areas where the release of domestic Quail as game birds is not yet practised.
Abstract: Since the 1970s, the decline of the occidental populations of European Quail Coturnix c. coturnix, a partial migrant Galliform species, has driven the release of domestic Japanese Quail Coturnix c. japonica into the wild as game birds. Recent experiments suggest that reproductive isolating mechanisms have not developed to prevent hybridization between European and Japanese Quail. To assess the potential impact of hybridization between the subspecies in the wild, this study aims to compare the migratory characteristics of captive European Quail, domestic Japanese Quail, F1 hybrids and a backcross. In a laboratory experiment, birds hatched in summer and reared under a natural photoperiod were transferred during winter to an artificial photoperiod (light–dark) of 14 : 10 h. Behavioural (migratory restlessness, crowing activity in males) and physiological (sexual development, fat accumulation, body mass) measures were recorded. Domestic Japanese Quail showed no migratory tendency in response to the increased day length. F1 hybrids showed rapid sexual development and few of them exhibited the typical profile of a migrant bird. Backcrosses showed great variation in their response, comparable with those of the European Quail. Therefore, hybridization could lead to an increased proportion of quail showing sedentary rather than migratory behaviour. Furthermore, hybrids that do show migratory behaviour have the potential to facilitate Japanese gene flow into areas where the release of domestic Quail as game birds is not yet practised.
35 citations
TL;DR: The egg production, feed efficiency, eggWeight, shell weight, shell thickness, albumen height, albuman length and yolk height were higher in the group consuming 1 g/kg black seed extracts than in the other groups (P<0.05), however, there were no differences for live weight changes, feed intake, shape index,albumen weight, albumin width and yolks calibre among birds fed treatment diets.
Abstract: Denli, M, Okan, F and Uluocak, AN 2004 Effect of dietary black seed (Nigella sativa L) extract supplementation on laying performance and egg quality of quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) J Appl Anim Res, 26: 73–76 To measure the influence of dietary black seed extracts on performance and egg quality characteristics in laying quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) from 9–21 weeks of age, a total 45 layer quail (8 weeks, 2263 g), were randomly distributed into three groups The black seed extracts were supplemented at 0, 1 and 2glkgina standard layer diet and each of the three test diets was offered ad libitum to birds housed individually in laying cages from 9 to 21 weeks of age The egg production, feed efficiency, egg weight, shell weight, shell thickness, albumen height, albumen length and yolk height were higher in the group consuming 1 g/kg black seed extracts (P<005) However, there were no differences for live weight changes, feed intake, shape index, albumen weight, albumen width
TL;DR: The results suggest that selection for reduced adrenocortical responsiveness in Coturnix has resulted in certain reproductive advantages in middle-aged, adult males maintained on stimulatory photoperiods as well as in such adults subjected to photocastration and subsequent rephotostimulation.
TL;DR: If registered, wildlife managers may be able to use 20,25 diazacholesterol when other methods, such as lethal control, are undesirable for reducing damage caused by specific breeding behaviors such as the building of nests.
TL;DR: The in vitro metabolism of [14C]methoxychlor has been studied using precision-cut liver slices from the Sprague–Dawley male rat, CD-1 male mouse, THE AUTHORS strain male Japanese quail and juvenile rainbow trout and species differences in the metabolic profiles were observed.
Abstract: 1. The in vitro metabolism of [ 14 C]methoxychlor (MXC) has been studied using precision-cut liver slices from the Sprague–Dawley male rat, CD-1 male mouse, WE strain male Japanese quail and juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The results demonstrated integrated phase I and II metabolism of MXC and species differences in the metabolic profiles were observed. 2. In rat liver slice preparations, MXC was rapidly metabolized to bis-OH-MXC by sequential O-demethylation followed by subsequent O-glucuronidation forming bis-OH-MXC glucuronide. No mono-OH-MXC glucuronide was detected. The doubly conjugated metabolite, bis-OH-MXC 4-O-sulphate 4 0 -O-glucuronide, was also detected as a rat-specific metabolite. 3. Formation of mono-OH-MXC and its glucuronide was the main metabolic pathway in the mouse and Japanese quail. In contrast to the rat, only minor amounts of bis-OHMXC glucuronide were detected. A reductively dehalogenated metabolite, dechlorinated mono-OH-MXC glucuronide, was observed only in mouse preparations. 4. In rainbow trout, comparative amounts of both mono- and bis-OH-MXC glucuronide were formed as the major metabolites. Unconjugated forms of these metabolites were detected only as minor products. 5. The different metabolic profiles of MXC observed in the four animal species are possibly due to substrate specificity of contributing CYP450 monooxgenase enzyme(s) in different animal species.
01 Jan 2004
TL;DR: E. coli were present in the foam of the cloacal gland of Japanese quail and may have a role in foam production and the effect of fluoroquinolone treatment on bacterial counts and foam production was evaluated.
TL;DR: As a IctltlciCCOIli oiilc adsatagc, qcljil ar-e colixsidl-ccd to bh ii(oItc resistanit thaini chicketis acid tilrkcvs to coitittioIi poLiltrvs dis-
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TL;DR: Fertility and reproductive performance were not affected up to the highest concentration, although the examination of additional endpoints in the drakes provided some evidence of an inhibition of spermatogenesis at both dietary concentrations.
Abstract: In a one-generation reproduction study, the major agricultural fungicide vinclozolin was administered to adult Japanese quail for a period of 6 weeks at dietary levels of 125 and 500 ppm. Fertility and reproductive performance were not affected up to the highest concentration, although the examination of additional endpoints in the drakes (spermatid count, histology of the testis) provided some evidence of an inhibition of spermatogenesis at both dietary concentrations. Likewise, there were no indications of systemic toxicity in the adult birds. Plasma hormone concentrations (estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, T3, and T4) showed a large interindividual variance but treatment-related differences between the groups could not be established. There were no clear-cut indications of antiandrogenic effects in quail, although a limited transfer of the test substance into the eggs was proven.
TL;DR: These limited findings suggest that anonymous cDNA array analysis is a productive means to identify differentially expressed genes in growth-selected poultry.
01 Jan 2004
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of increased testosterone levels in Chinese painted quail (Coturnix chinensis) eggs were evaluated to evaluate its effects on growth and immunocompetence.
Abstract: In oviparous vertebrates, maternal steroid allocation to eggs can have important fitness consequences for the offspring. However, elevated testosterone levels are not only associated with beneficial postnatal effects, such as enhanced growth and high social status, but may also entail costs by suppressing the immune system. In this study, testosterone levels in eggs of Chinese painted quail (Coturnix chinensis) were experimentally manipulated to evaluate its effects on growth and immunocompetence. Testosterone did not affect embryonic development, body size or growth during the first 20 days. However, elevated testosterone levels during embryonic development were immunosuppressive for chicks with inherently higher growth rate. Adaptive scenarios where only beneficial effects of increased testosterone levels are considered may therefore need to be re-evaluated.