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Showing papers on "Coturnix published in 2011"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown that acute stress rapidly alters AA in the male and female brain and that these changes are specific to the brain nuclei and sex of the individual.
Abstract: The rapid and temporary suppression of reproductive behavior is often assumed to be an important feature of the adaptive acute stress response. However, how this suppression operates at the mechanistic level is poorly understood. The enzyme aromatase converts testosterone to estradiol in the brain to activate reproductive behavior in male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). The discovery of rapid and reversible modification of aromatase activity (AA) provides a potential mechanism for fast, stress-induced changes in behavior. We investigated the effects of acute stress on AA in both sexes by measuring enzyme activity in all aromatase-expressing brain nuclei before, during, and after 30 min of acute restraint stress. We show here that acute stress rapidly alters AA in the male and female brain and that these changes are specific to the brain nuclei and sex of the individual. Specifically, acute stress rapidly (5 min) increased AA in the male medial preoptic nucleus, a region controlling male reproductive behavior; in females, a similar increase was also observed, but it appeared delayed (15 min) and had smaller amplitude. In the ventromedial and tuberal hypothalamus, regions associated with female reproductive behavior, stress induced a quick and sustained decrease in AA in females, but in males, only a slight increase (ventromedial) or no change (tuberal) in AA was observed. Effects of acute stress on brain estrogen production, therefore, represent one potential way through which stress affects reproduction.

63 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study reports direct evidence for additive genetic variance of maternal androgens through a bidirectional selection on yolk testosterone levels in Japanese quail, seriously challenging the hypothesis that transfer of maternal hormones to offspring is constrained by hormone levels in a mother’s circulation.
Abstract: In many animal species, embryos are exposed to maternal hormones that affect their development. Maternal hormone transfer varies with environmental conditions of the mother and is often interpreted as being shaped by natural selection to adjust the offspring to prevailing environmental conditions. Such hormone transfer requires genetic variability, which has not yet been experimentally demonstrated. Our study reports direct evidence for additive genetic variance of maternal androgens through a bidirectional selection on yolk testosterone (T) levels in Japanese quail. Lines selected for high egg T (HET) and low egg T (LET) concentration differed in yolk levels of this androgen, resulting in high realized heritability (). Correlated responses to selection on other gonadal hormones indicated that selection specifically targeted biologically active androgens. Eggs of HET quail contained higher androstenedione and lower estradiol concentrations than did those of LET quail, with no line differences in y...

62 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study describes and analyzes the temporal order of ossification of skeletal elements in the zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata, the Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica, and the White Pekin duck and explores patterns of intraspecific variation in these events.
Abstract: Skeletogenic heterochronies have gained much attention in comparative developmental biology. The temporal appearance of mineralized individual bones in a species — the species ossification sequence — is an excellent marker in this kind of study. Several publications describe interspecific variation, but only very few detail intraspecific variation. In this study, we describe and analyze the temporal order of ossification of skeletal elements in the zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata, the Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica, and the White Pekin duck, a domestic race of the mallard Anas platyrhynchos, and explore patterns of intraspecific variation in these events. The overall sequences were found to be conserved. In the duck, variability is present in the relative timing of ossification in the occipital, the basisphenoid and the otic regions of the skull and the phalanges in the postcranium. This variation appears generally in close temporal proximity. Comparison with previously published data shows differences in ossification sequence in the skull, the feet, and the pelvis in the duck, and especially the pelvis in the quail. This clearly documents variability among different breeds.

60 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is demonstrated for the first time that the avian ZP4 is expressed in the oocyte, and that the expression pattern of the gene is similar to that of ZP2.
Abstract: The avian perivitelline layer, an extracellular matrix homologous to the zona pellucida (ZP) of mammalian oocytes, is composed mainly by zona pellucida gene family glycoproteins. Our previous studies in Japanese quail have demonstrated that the matrix's components, ZP3 and ZPD, are synthesized in ovarian granulosa cells. Another component, ZP1, is synthesized in the liver. Recently, we demonstrated that another minor constituent, ZP2 is produced in the oocytes of the immature follicles. In the present study, we report the isolation of complementary DNA encoding quail ZP4 and its expression and origin in the female birds. By ribonuclease protection assay and in situ hybridization, we demonstrated that ZP4 transcripts were transcribed in the oocytes of small white follicles. The expression level of ZP4 decreased dramatically during follicular development, and the highest expression was observed in the small white follicles. Western blot analysis using the specific antibody against ZP4 indicated that the immunoreactive 58.2 kDa protein was present in the lysates of the small white follicles. These results demonstrate for the first time that the avian ZP4 is expressed in the oocyte, and that the expression pattern of the gene is similar to that of ZP2.

25 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of neonatal feed restriction on plasma corticosterone concentration (CORT), hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression, and heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 expression in aged male Japanese quail subjected to acute heat stress was investigated.

24 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reported the cloning and sequencing of the complete coding sequence of CGI-58 and the deduced AA sequences for domestic chicken, turkey, and Coturnix quail.
Abstract: Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) is the rate-limiting enzyme of lipolysis in chicken adipose tissue. Its regulation is not fully understood. Recent studies suggest ATGL may be regulated by physical protein-protein interactions. Comparative gene identification 58 (CGI-58) has been identified as an activator of ATGL in mice. The purpose of the current study was to clone and sequence the CGI-58 gene in avian species and to investigate its regulation during development, fasting, and refeeding. Here, we report the cloning and sequencing of the complete coding sequence of CGI-58 and the deduced AA sequences for the domestic chicken, turkey, and Coturnix quail. The CGI-58 protein is a 343-AA protein in the chicken and quail, and a 344-AA protein in the turkey. Sequence comparisons with the human and mouse show that the CGI-58 gene is highly conserved among avian and mammalian species, with complete identities at the predicted lipid-binding site. Cell fractionation of chicken fat cells and stromal-vascular cells revealed that CGI-58 is expressed primarily in mature adipocytes (P < 0.01). When compared in multiple organs and tissues, avian CGI-58 is expressed predominantly in the adipose tissue (P < 0.001), similar to ATGL. To understand CGI-58 expression during adipose tissue development, its mRNA expression was measured along with ATGL and stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD-1) mRNA, an adipogenic marker, in embryos and adults. Messenger RNA expression of CGI-58 increased (P < 0.05) immediately after hatching, concurrent with peak ATGL expression. It is interesting that CGI-58 remained somewhat increased at posthatch d 11 and 33 as SCD-1 mRNA expression increased (P < 0.05). To evaluate the response of CGI-58 to nutritional status, chickens and quail were fasted for 24 h and subsequently refed. After the fasting period, CGI-58 mRNA was induced (P < 0.05) for both chickens and quail and was returned to control levels upon refeeding. The ATGL mRNA responded similarly, increasing dramatically after fasting and quickly decreasing with refeeding. The direct relationship between CGI-58 and ATGL mRNA expression indicates a role for CGI-58 in activating ATGL-mediated lipolysis in avian species.

23 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In Japanese quail, SRC-2 expression was found to be nearly ubiquitous with high levels of expression in kidney, cerebellum and diencephalon, and real-time quantitative PCR did not reveal any differences between intact males and females the medial preoptic nucleus (POM), optic lobes and cerebellal as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 579–593. Abstract Steroid receptor coactivators are necessary for efficient transcriptional regulation by ligand-bound nuclear receptors, including estrogen and androgen receptors. Steroid receptor coactivator-2 (SRC-2) modulates estrogen- and progesterone-dependent sexual behavior in female rats but its implication in the control of male sexual behavior has not been studied to our knowledge. We cloned and sequenced the complete quail SRC-2 transcript and showed by semi-quantitative PCR that SRC-2 expression is nearly ubiquitous, with high levels of expression in the kidney, cerebellum and diencephalon. Real-time quantitative PCR did not reveal any differences between intact males and females the medial preoptic nucleus (POM), optic lobes and cerebellum. We next investigated the physiological and behavioral role of this coactivator using in vivo antisense oligonucleotide techniques. Daily injections in the third ventricle at the level of the POM of locked nucleic acid antisense targeting SRC-2 significantly reduced the expression of testosterone-dependent male-typical copulatory behavior but no inhibition of one aspect of the appetitive sexual behavior was observed. The volume of POM, defined by aromatase-immunoreactive cells, was markedly decreased in animals treated with antisense as compared with controls. These results demonstrate that SRC-2 plays a prominent role in the control of steroid-dependent male sexual behavior and its associated neuroplasticity in Japanese quail.

18 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results could indicate that inactivated vaccine did not fully prevent the infection, although it was capable of protecting birds against clinical signs and significantly decreased viral titers in lungs after intranasal challenge.
Abstract: In the present study, we examined the mortality rate, egg production, and clinical signs of quail experimentally infected with a field isolate of A/Chicken/Iran/339/02 (H9N2) avian influenza virus obtained from an infected commercial layer farm with severe morbidity and mortality. A total of 120 quail at 14 days old were randomly divided into four groups of vaccinated (B and C) and unvaccinated (A and D) birds. Vaccination was done on days 20 and 32, and viral inoculation of birds in groups C and D was then carried out on day 43. For evaluation of viral transmission, at 24 hr postinoculation additional unvaccinated birds were placed in direct contact with challenged birds. All the birds were evaluated for clinical signs, egg production, antibody production, viral titration in lung homogenates, and viral transmission following inoculation. All unvaccinated-challenged birds were infected and showed clinical signs, whereas the infection rate along with clinical signs of vaccinated-challenged birds r...

18 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
14 Apr 2011-PLOS ONE
TL;DR: Two subtypes of estrogen receptors (ER), ERα and ERβ, have been identified in humans and numerous vertebrates, including the Japanese quail, and the specific role(s) of each receptor is investigated in this species.
Abstract: Two subtypes of estrogen receptors (ER), ERα and ERβ, have been identified in humans and numerous vertebrates, including the Japanese quail. We investigated in this species the specific role(s) of each receptor in the activation of male sexual behavior and the underlying estrogen-dependent neural plasticity. Castrated male Japanese quail received empty (CX) or testosterone-filled (T) implants or were daily injected with the ER general agonist diethylstilbestrol (DES), the ERα-specific agonist PPT, the ERβ-specific agonist DPN or the vehicle, propylene glycol. Three days after receiving the first treatment, subjects were alternatively tested for appetitive (rhythmic cloacal sphincter movements, RCSM) and consummatory aspects (copulatory behavior) of male sexual behavior. 24 hours after the last behavioral testing, brains were collected and analyzed for aromatase expression and vasotocinergic innervation in the medial preoptic nucleus. The expression of RCSM was activated by T and to a lesser extent by DES and PPT but not by the ERβagonist DPN. In parallel, T fully restored the complete sequence of copulation, DES was partially active and the specific activation of ERα or ERβ only resulted in a very low frequency of mount attempts in few subjects. T increased the volume of the medial preoptic nucleus as measured by the dense cluster of aromatase-immunoreactive cells and the density of the vasotocinergic innervation within this nucleus. DES had only a weak action on vasotocinergic fibers and the two specific ER agonists did not affect these neural responses. Simultaneous activation of both receptors or treatments with higher doses may be required to fully activate sexual behavior and the associated neurochemical events.

18 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A new approach, based on high-resolution melting (HRM) curve analysis of the CHD1 gene, for avian gender identification, was successfully applied to carry out sexual differentiation based on melting curve patterns in common quail and Japanese quail.
Abstract: Sex identification in birds through molecular methods is an important tool for the management and preservation of species. Advances in real-time PCR-based techniques overcome some limitations of the more classical molecular analysis methodologies. Here, we describe a new approach, based on high-resolution melting (HRM) curve analysis of the CHD1 gene, for avian gender identification. This method was successfully applied to carry out sexual differentiation based on melting curve patterns in common quail (Coturnix c. coturnix) and Japanese quail (Coturnix c. japonica). We clearly demonstrate the efficacy of a simple HRM assay for a rapid and efficient gender differentiation of these subspecies and propose this methodology as a valuable addition to expand the applicability of real-time PCR-based technology in avian molecular sexing.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of vitamin E (Vit.E) and corn oil on semen traits of male Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica ) was investigated.

Journal ArticleDOI
02 Dec 2011-PLOS ONE
TL;DR: In this article, the expression of the identified CYP1 genes and AHR1 were compared in chicken and quail embryos, comparing the basal and induced levels of these genes.
Abstract: Background: Cytochrome P450 1 (CYP1) genes are biomarkers for aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonists and may be involved in some of their toxic effects. CYP1s other than the CYP1As are poorly studied in birds. Here we characterize avian CYP1B and CYP1C genes and the expression of the identified CYP1 genes and AHR1, comparing basal and induced levels in chicken and quail embryos. Methodology/Principal Findings: We cloned cDNAs of chicken CYP1C1 and quail CYP1B1 and AHR1. CYP1Cs occur in several bird genomes, but we found no CYP1C gene in quail. The CYP1C genomic region is highly conserved among vertebrates. This region also shares some synteny with the CYP1B region, consistent with CYP1B and CYP1C genes deriving from duplication of a common ancestor gene. Real-time RT-PCR analyses revealed similar tissue distribution patterns for CYP1A4, CYP1A5, CYP1B1, and AHR1 mRNA in chicken and quail embryos, with the highest basal expression of the CYP1As in liver, and of CYP1B1 in eye, brain, and heart. Chicken CYP1C1 mRNA levels were appreciable in eye and heart but relatively low in other organs. Basal transcript levels of the CYP1As were higher in quail than in chicken, while CYP1B1 levels were similar in the two species. 3,39,4,5,59-Pentachlorobiphenyl induced all CYP1s in chicken; in quail a 1000-fold higher dose induced the CYP1As, but not CYP1B1. Conclusions/Significance: The apparent absence of CYP1C1 in quail, and weak expression and induction of CYP1C1 in chicken suggest that CYP1Cs have diminishing roles in tetrapods; similar tissue expression suggests that such roles may be met by CYP1B1. Tissue distribution of CYP1B and CYP1C transcripts in birds resembles that previously found in zebrafish, suggesting that these genes serve similar functions in diverse vertebrates. Determining CYP1 catalytic functions in different species should indicate the evolving roles of these duplicated genes in physiological and toxicological processes.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study is the first demonstration of an alternatively spliced γ(c) isoform that lacks a transmembrane domain, and indicates a possibility that avian species, unlike mammals, express two different γ (c) transcripts due to alternative splicing.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Individual endogenous rhythms predict social integration in a group of standard chicks: R-chicks were more competent to gain access to food than were A-ch chicks, and separation from their group stressed R- chicks more than A-Chicks.
Abstract: The activity rhythms of Japanese quail vary from one individual to another. Performing a divergent selection, we obtained one line of quail expressing a robust circadian rhythmicity of feeding activity (R) and one line of quail expressing circadian arrhythmicity of feeding activity (A). We questioned whether the endogenous rhythmicity of an individual could predict its integration in a group. For that, we introduced either an R- or an A-line chick into stable groups of standard chicks. First, we evaluated proximity and synchronization of the introduced chicks on the activities of the other group members. R-chicks remained spatially and temporally closer to other group members than did A-chicks. Second, we evaluated interactions of the introduced chicks and the level of their acceptance by the other group members. R-chicks were more competent to gain access to food than were A-chicks, and separation from their group stressed R-chicks more than A-chicks. Last, successive introductions assessed age effects: before, around, and after dispersal time (∼11th day of chicks' life). Most differences between R- and A-chicks were observed between their 7th and 15th day of life. In conclusion, individual endogenous rhythms predict social integration.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The developed antibodies showed high binding affinity to their corresponding immunogens, very little cross reactivity to Staphylococcus aureus and not other bacteria strains (p<0.05), a phenomenon which was also observed in Western blot.
Abstract: Production of chicken immunoglobulins Y (IgYs) and their applications in prophylactic, therapeutic, detection of microbial contaminants and as a diagnostic tool has been widely studied with limited information from other avians. This study produced Coturnix quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) egg yolk IgYs against Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus. Formalin inactivated (FIVP, FIVV, mixed FI-VP/VV) and heat inactivated (HIVP, HIVV, mixed HI-VP/VV) Vibrio immunogens (109 CFU/mL) were intramuscularly immunized into quail through thigh muscles. Egg yolk IgY was purified by water dilution-ammonium sulfate precipitation method and the activity was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Formalin inactivated immunogens induced high humoral immune response for both V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus over heat inactivated immunogens. However, IgYs resulted from HIVP and FIVV immunogens, showed high specificity to V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus respectively. Detection limits of the indirect ELISA using the produced IgYs were 105 CFU/mL for V. parahaemolyticus and 106 CFU/mL for V. vulnificus. The developed antibodies showed high binding affinity to their corresponding immunogens, very little cross reactivity to Staphylococcus aureus and not other bacteria strains (p<0.05), a phenomenon which was also observed in Western blot.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Variation of circadian behavioral rhythmicity is associated with variation in social motivation in Japanese quail, andRhythmic animals appeared to respond more appropriately to environmental challenges than arrhythmmic animals.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This work studied the adjustment of structure and function in lungs at different stages of development in the quail Coturnix coturnix japonica under two thermal regimes to show developmental plasticity for two thermal environments.
Abstract: One of the hypotheses that attempt to explain physiological limitations of energy budgets is the symmorphosis hypothesis, which proposes that if matching structures to functional needs were combined with the strict economy of energy and materials, the result would be an optimal organ design for the specific function it serves. Evidence in favor of symmorphosis in adults is as abundant as evidence against it, but the plasticity of some morphological traits may be dependent on the ontogenetic stage at which acclimation acts. Thus, here we studied the adjustment of structure and function in lungs at different stages of development in the quail Coturnix coturnix japonica under two thermal regimes. Our main results show that i) resting metabolic rate, maximum thermogenic oxygen consumption and oxygen diffusion capacity did not exhibit developmental plasticity for two thermal environments; and ii) oxygen diffusion capacity fully adjusted to resting metabolic rate and maximum oxygen consumption during development. C. coturnix has a low safety factor close to 1 which is consistent with the symmorphosis hypothesis.


Journal Article
TL;DR: According to the results of the investigation, although shell calcium utilization and osteogenesis in flight embryos of the Japanese quail were retarded, by the time of hatching the morphological and chemical parameters of the lower limb bones were essentially same as of the ground controls.
Abstract: Tibia and femur osteogenesis was studied in embryonic lower limbs developed in microgravity. The maximal difference in ash content of shell in the flight and control groups was registered on days 4, 10 and 14 amounting to 10.27; 9.56 and 12.95% respectively. Shell analysis for calcium showed the largest difference between the groups on day 4 (8.94 mg). However, this difference was not seen already on days 14 and 16. Hence, according to the results of the investigation, although shell calcium utilization and osteogenesis in flight embryos of the Japanese quail were retarded, by the time of hatching the morphological and chemical parameters of the lower limb bones were essentially same as of the ground controls.