Showing papers on "Coturnix published in 2012"

The lavender plumage colour in Japanese quail is associated with a complex mutation in the region of MLPH that is related to differences in growth, feed consumption and body temperature

Abstract: Background: The lavender phenotype in quail is a dilution of both eumelanin and phaeomelanin in feathers that produces a blue-grey colour on a wild-type feather pattern background It has been previously demonstrated by intergeneric hybridization that the lavender mutation in quail is homologous to the same phenotype in chicken, which is caused by a single base-pair change in exon 1 of MLPH Results: In this study, we have shown that a mutation of MLPH is also associated with feather colour dilution in quail, but that the mutational event is extremely different In this species, the lavender phenotype is associated with a non-lethal complex mutation involving three consecutive overlapping chromosomal changes (two inversions and one deletion) that have consequences on the genomic organization of four genes (MLPH and the neighbouring PRLH, RAB17 and LRRFIP1) The deletion of PRLH has no effect on the level of circulating prolactin Lavender birds have lighter body weight, lower body temperature and increased feed consumption and residual feed intake than wild-type plumage quail, indicating that this complex mutation is affecting the metabolism and the regulation of homeothermy Conclusions: An extensive overlapping chromosome rearrangement was associated with a non-pathological Mendelian trait and minor, non deleterious effects in the lavender Japanese quail which is a natural knockout for PRLH Background Coat and plumage colours result from the interplay of a number of genes, and the variety of visible colours associated with specific mutations or combination of mutations may be used to gain an insight into underlying gene action The available knowledge of mouse coat colour mutants is quite extensive, but little is as yet known about the genes and the mutations that cause the highly variable plumage colour of birds Recently, causal mutations for quail plumage colours yellow [1], recessive

Are farm-reared quails for game restocking really common quails (Coturnix coturnix)?: a genetic approach.

Abstract: The common quail (Coturnix coturnix) is a popular game species for which restocking with farm-reared individuals is a common practice. In some areas, the number of released quails greatly surpasses the number of wild breeding common quail. However, common quail are difficult to raise in captivity and this casts suspicion about a possible hybrid origin of the farmed individuals from crosses with domestic Japanese quail (C. japonica). In this study we used a panel of autosomal microsatellite markers to characterize the genetic origin of quails reared for hunting purposes in game farms in Spain and of quails from an experimental game farm which was founded with hybrids that have been systematically backcrossed with wild common quails. The genotypes of these quail were compared to those of wild common quail and domestic strains of Japanese quail. Our results show that more than 85% of the game farm birds were not common quail but had domestic Japanese quail ancestry. In the experimental farm a larger proportion of individuals could not be clearly separated from pure common quails. We conclude that the majority of quail sold for restocking purposes were not common quail. Genetic monitoring of individuals raised for restocking is indispensable as the massive release of farm-reared hybrids could represent a severe threat for the long term survival of the native species.

Chromium histidinate protects against heat stress by modulating the expression of hepatic nuclear transcription factors in quail

Abstract: 1 This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplemental chromium histidinate (CrHis) on performance and expressions of hepatic nuclear factors kappaB, an enhancer (NF-κB) and an inhibitor (IκBα) of activated B cells in heat-stressed Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) 2 A total of 180, 10-d-old Japanese quail were allocated randomly into 6 groups in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement Birds were reared either at 22°C for 24 h/d (thermoneutral, TN) or 34°C for 8 h/d (heat stress, HS) for 32 d and fed on one of three diets supplemented with 0, 400 or 800 µg of CrHis per kg of diet Each group consisted of 10 cages, each containing three quail Data (performance variables and hepatic NF-κB and IκBα) were analysed using 2-way ANOVA 3 Heat stress caused reductions in cumulative feed intake (FI) by 5·7%, weight gain (WG) by 13·0%, final body weight (FBW) by 10·3%, carcase weight by 12·6% and carcase efficiency by 2·3% and an increase in feed conversion ratio (FCR, feed consumed, g:weight

Japanese Quail’s Genetic Background Modulates Effects of Chronic Stress on Emotional Reactivity but Not Spatial Learning

Abstract: Chronic stress is known to enhance mammals’ emotional reactivity and alters several of their cognitive functions, especially spatial learning. Few studies have investigated such effects in birds. We investigated the impact of a two-week stress on Japanese quail’s emotional reactivity and spatial learning. Quail is an avian model widely used in laboratory studies and for extrapolation of data to other poultry species. As sensitivity to chronic stress can be modulated by intrinsic factors, we tested juvenile female Japanese quail from three lines, two of them divergently selected on tonic immobility duration, an indicator of general fearfulness. The different emotional reactivity levels of quail belonging to these lines can be revealed by a large variety of tests. Half of the birds were submitted to repeated unpredictable aversive events for two weeks, whereas the other half were left undisturbed. After this procedure, two tests (open field and emergence tests) evaluated the emotional reactivity of treated and control quails. They were then trained in a T-maze for seven days and their spatial learning was tested. The chronic stress protocol had an impact on resting, preening and foraging in the home cage. As predicted, the emotional reactivity of treated quails, especially those selected for long tonic immobility duration, was higher. Our spatial learning data showed that the treatment enhanced acquisition but not memorization. However, intrinsic fearfulness did not seem to interact with the treatment in this test. According to an inverted U-shaped relationship between stress and cognition, chronic stress can improve the adaptability of birds to a stressful environment. We discussed the mechanisms possibly implied in the increase of emotional reactivity and spatial abilities.

Discovery and characterization of Coturnix chinensis avian β-defensin 10, with broad antibacterial activity.

Abstract: A novel avian β-defensin (AvBD), AvBD10, was discovered in the liver and bone marrow tissues from Chinese painted quail (Coturnix chinensis) in the present study. The complete nucleotide sequence of quail AvBD10 contains a 207-bp open reading frame that encodes 68 amino acids. The quail AvBD10 was expressed widely in all the tissues from quails except the tongue, crop, breast muscle, and thymus and was highly expressed in the bone marrow. In contrast to the expression pattern of AvBD10 in tissues from quail, the chicken AvBD10 was expressed in all 21 tissues from the layer hens investigated, with a high level of expression in the kidney, lung, liver, bone marrow, and Harderian glands. Recombinant glutathione S-transferase (GST)-tagged AvBD10s of both quail and chicken were produced and purified by expression of the two cDNAs in Escherichia coli, respectively. In addition, peptide according to the respective AvBD10s sequence was synthesized, named synthetic AvBD10s. As expected, both recombinant GST-tagged AvBD10s and synthetic AvBD10s of quail and chicken exhibited similar bactericidal properties against most bacteria, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative forms. However, no significant bactericidal activity was found for quail recombinant GST-tagged AvBD10 against Salmonella choleraesuis or for chicken recombinant GST-tagged AvBD10 against Proteus mirabilis.

Fine mapping of complex traits in non-model species: using next generation sequencing and advanced intercross lines in Japanese quail

Abstract: Background: As for other non-model species, genetic analyses in quail will benefit greatly from a higher marker density, now attainable thanks to the evolution of sequencing and genotyping technologies. Our objective was to obtain the first genome wide panel of Japanese quail SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) and to use it for the fine mapping of a QTL for a fear-related behaviour, namely tonic immobility, previously localized on Coturnix japonica chromosome 1. To this aim, two reduced representations of the genome were analysed through high-throughput 454 sequencing: AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) fragments as representatives of genomic DNA, and EST (Expressed Sequence Tag) as representatives of the transcriptome. Results: The sequencing runs produced 399,189 and 1,106,762 sequence reads from cDNA and genomic fragments, respectively. They covered over 434 Mb of sequence in total and allowed us to detect 17,433 putative SNP. Among them, 384 were used to genotype two Advanced Intercross Lines (AIL) obtained from three quail lines differing for duration of tonic immobility. Despite the absence of genotyping for founder individuals in the analysis, the previously identified candidate region on chromosome 1 was refined and led to the identification of a candidate gene. Conclusions: These data confirm the efficiency of transcript and AFLP-sequencing for SNP discovery in a non-model species, and its application to the fine mapping of a complex trait. Our results reveal a significant association of duration of tonic immobility with a genomic region comprising the DMD (dystrophin) gene. Further characterization of this candidate gene is needed to decipher its putative role in tonic immobility in Coturnix.

Toxic Interaction Between Fumonisin B1 and Moniliformin for Cardiac Lesions in Japanese Quail

Abstract: SUMMARY. This study examined the effects of fumonisin B1 (FB1) and moniliformin (M) on the heart of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Three hundred and ninety day-old Japanese quail were randomly divided into four groups: 1) FB1 alone (FX), 2) M alone (MX), 3) FB1 and M (FM), and 4) chick mash alone (CX). We used three pen replicates of 35 quail per pen in groups FX, MX, and FM and three pen replicates of 25 quail per pen in group CX. Gross and microscopic changes in the heart were studied in nine birds (three birds per replicate) from each group at weekly intervals up to 28 days postfeeding (DPF). Ultrastructural changes were studied in the heart of three birds (one bird per replicate) from each group at 21 DPF. Thinning of the heart was the only significant gross lesion in group FX. In contrast, mild-to-severe cardiomegaly was a significant finding in groups MX and FM throughout the study. Microscopically, thinning of cardiomyocytes was evident at 7 DPF in group FX. In addition to the hypertr...

Birth of neural progenitors during the embryonic period of sexual differentiation in the Japanese quail brain

Abstract: Several brain areas in the diencephalon are involved in the activation and expression of sexual behavior, including in quail the medial preoptic nucleus (POM). However, the ontogeny of these diencephalic brain nuclei has not to this date been examined in detail. We investigated the ontogeny of POM and other steroid-sensitive brain regions by injecting quail eggs with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) at various stages between embryonic day (E)3 and E16 and killing animals at postnatal (PN) days 3 or 56. In the POM, large numbers of BrdU-positive cells were observed in subjects injected from E3-E10, the numbers of these cells was intermediate in birds injected on E12, and most cells were postmitotic in both sexes on E14-E16. Injections on E3-E4 labeled large numbers of Hu-positive cells in POM. In contrast, injections performed at a later stage labeled cells that do not express aromatase nor neuronal markers such as Hu or NeuN in the POM and other steroid-sensitive nuclei and thus do not have a neuronal phenotype in these locations, contrary to what is observed in the telencephalon and cerebellum. No evidence could also be collected to demonstrate that these cells have a glial nature. Converging data, including the facts that these cells divide in the brain mantle and express proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a cell cycling marker, indicate that cells labeled by BrdU during the second half of embryonic life are slow-cycling progenitors born and residing in the brain mantle. Future research should now identify their functional significance.

Differential mRNA expression of seven genes involved in cholesterol metabolism and transport in the liver of atherosclerosis-susceptible and -resistant Japanese quail strains.

Abstract: Two atherosclerosis-susceptible and -resistant Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) strains obtained by divergent selection are commonly used as models to study atherosclerosis, but no genetic characterization of their phenotypic differences has been reported so far. Our objective was to examine possible differences in the expression of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism and transport in the liver between these two strains and to evaluate the value of this model to analyze the gene system affecting cholesterol metabolism and transport. A factorial study with both strains (atherosclerosis-susceptible versus atherosclerosis-resistant) and two diets (control versus cholesterol) was carried out. The mRNA concentrations of four genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis (HMGCR, FDFT1, SQLE and DHCR7) and three genes in cholesterol transport (ABCG5, ABCG8 and APOA1) were assayed using real-time quantitative PCR. Plasma lipids were also assayed. Expression of ABCG5 (control diet) and ABCG8 (regardless of dietary treatment) and expression of HMGCR, FDFT1 and SQLE (regardless of dietary treatment) were significantly higher in the atherosclerosis-resistant than in the atherosclerosis-susceptible strain. Plasma triglyceride and LDL levels, and LDL/HDL ratio were significantly higher in the atherosclerosis-susceptible than in the atherosclerosis-resistant strain fed the cholesterol diet. In the atherosclerosis-susceptible strain, ABCG5 expression regressed significantly and positively on plasma LDL level, whereas DHCR7 and SQLE expression regressed significantly and negatively on plasma triglyceride level. Our results provide support for the hypothesis that the atherosclerosis-resistant strain metabolizes and excretes cholesterol faster than the atherosclerosis-susceptible strain. We have also demonstrated that these quail strains are a useful model to study cholesterol metabolism and transport in relation with atherosclerosis.

Number and size of nucleoli in the spermatocytes of chicken and Japanese quail.

Abstract: Nucleoli are the product of nucleolus organizing region activity (NOR) of specific chromosomes. Their basic function is to synthetise ribosomal RNA precursors and promote the maturation and assemblage of preribosomal RNP molecules. Information on rRNA-coding gene activity can be provided by the analysis of the number and size of nucleoli in the prophase of the first meiotic division. The morphology and ultrastructure of a nucleolus depends, among others, on the species and cell growth cycle as well as the physiological and pathological state of an organism. The purpose of this research was to determine the number and size of nucleoli in the spermatocytes of the domestic chicken and the Japanese quail. Diverse numbers and sizes of nucleoli in the cells of the analysed birds were observed. 1-4 nucleoli were identified in chicken cells (1.91 +/- 0.63 on average) and 1-2 in quail cells (1.13 +/- 0.33 on average). For the total of 957 nucleoli observed in Gallus cells, 329 were classified as large and 628 as small. In Coturnix cells, 563 nucleoli were identified (66 large and 497 small ones). An analysis of the numbers and sizes of nucleoli can be performed at the cytogenetic level and serve as an alternative source of information on rRNA encoding gene and nucleolus organising region (NOR) activities.

Growth and innate immunity are not limited by selection for high egg testosterone content in Japanese quail.

Abstract: The effects of maternal androgens on fitness-related traits of offspring are generally assumed to be epigenetic adaptations to the environment that may be encountered by the next generation. Possible constraints of high yolk androgen transfer are still not understood, although a suppressed immune response in offspring is frequently considered. The aim of our study was to examine the innate immune defence in high (HET) and low egg testosterone (LET) lines of Japanese quail, which differ in the hormonal milieu of their eggs, thus providing a good physiological model for the study of androgen-mediated maternal effects. Acute phase response was induced by a lipopolysaccharide injection in 12-day-old quail and plasma corticosterone and the heterophil:lymphocyte ratio were measured at 1 and 3 h post-treatment. Basal levels of non-specific antibodies (IgY) were determined in the circulation. We found that HET quail were heavier than LET quail from the second week of age, indicating enhanced post-hatching growth. At 1 h post-lipopolysaccharide challenge, plasma corticosterone concentrations increased in the HET but not in the LET line. The heterophil:lymphocyte ratio rose in both lines at 3 h post-immune challenge, with a more pronounced response in HET quail. Moreover, HET chicks displayed higher IgY levels than LET chicks, suggesting either enhanced passive immunoprotection or stimulated endogenous antibody production. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that the genetic selection for high egg testosterone content positively influences growth and, simultaneously, does not limit the acute phase response in young quail.

Estimation of genetic parameters for egg production traits in Japanese quail (Coturnix cot. japonica

Abstract: Keeping Japanese quail is an economic way for producing egg, because of their early sexual maturity (laying egg after 35 days), high egg production (250–270 eggs per year), resistance to most of poultry disease and great egg production persistency on a high level (approximately 14–18 months) (MURAKAMI and ARIKI, 1998). Japanese quail maturation happens in about 6 weeks of age and mature females are usually in full egg production by 50 days of age. With proper care, hens should lay more than 200 eggs in their first year of lay. The average egg weighs about 10–15 g which is about 8% of female body weight. Feed conversion for egg production in Japanese quail is better than in laying hens. Quail hens need less than 2 kg of feed to produce 1 kg of egg, while laying hens need between 1.9 to 2.5 kg of feed to make the same amount of egg. Japanese quail eggs are nearly identical in taste and nutritional quality to chicken eggs. There is an expanding market for products such as fresh or pickled quail eggs in Asian, American and some European countries (MINVIELLE, 2004). Egg production performance is usually assessed in poultry through age (ASM) and weight at sexual maturity (WSM), mean egg weight (MEW) and egg number (EN) during certain production periods (KIANIMANESH, 2000). ASM and WSM are considered as criterions for sexual maturity in birds and refer to age and weight at first egg, respectively. ASM and WSM together with EN and MEW are the most important economic traits in laying birds. Genetic improvement for egg production would increase the production efficiency and profitability of Japanese quail. The possibility of genetic improvement by selection depends on genetic variability of laying performance traits. For genetic evaluation, it is necessary to estimate heritability and genetic correlations between egg production traits. There are some detailed studies on estimation of variance components for egg production traits in Japanese quail (NESTOR et al., 1983; MINVIELLE et al., 1997; MINVIELLE and OGAZ, 2002; SAATCI et al. 2006, KHALDARI et al., 2010; HIDALGO et al., 2011). Considering the importance of such studies in quails, present research was conducted to estimate heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations of ASM, WSM, MEW and EN from 9 to 12 weeks of age and

Phytosterol additive boosts adrenal response to ACTH in male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Abstract: To investigate the adrenal effect of a phytosterol (PS) additive, 80 male Japanese quail were divided into four sub-groups and fed 0, 40, 400, and 4,000 ppm of PS, respectively, for 21 days. Subsequently, 50% of the birds from each dosage group were subjected to a 6-day adrenal function test, whereby they were injected with long-lasting adrenocorticotropin (ACTH). The remaining quail in each PS dosage group were raised under normal conditions. The groups receiving 400 and 4000 ppm PS exhibited decreased serum levels of LDL-cholesterol with and without ACTH stimulation (P 0.05). Enhancement of CORT was observed on the 2nd and the 6th days of the ACTH challenge in birds receiving 400 ppm (P < 0.05). Average ACTH-induced CORT levels in the 400 ppm group were higher than in the 0 ppm group (P < 0.01). Our results demonstrated that PS can boost ACTH-induced CORT levels in male Japanese quail.

Effect of long-term simulated microgravity on some sexual traits of male Japanese quail.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term stay of Japanese quail in simulated microgravity on some sexual features of males. As a model for simulating microgravity exposure of birds in laboratory conditions was used hypodynamia. The mean left testis weight in males reared under hypodynamia from day 3 up to 180 days of age was lower than that of control (P<0.05), but the right testis weight differences between both groups were not significant. Also the area, volume and foam production of cloacal gland was not significantly decreased in hypodynamia birds at the end of experiment. By contrast, the plasma testosterone concentration of males living in hypodynamia was reduced about 50 % at 90 and 180 days of age in comparison to control (P<0.05) suggesting some negative effects on sexual development. Our results demonstrated that male quail kept under simulated microgravity conditions were sexually competent although their sexual efficiency was reduced especially in terms of plasma testosterone.

PENGARUH PEMBERIAN PAKAN BEBAS PILIH TERHADAP KECERNAAN PROTEIN BURUNG PUYUH (Coturnix coturnix japonica) Effect of Free Choice Feeding On The Protein Digestibility Of Quail (Coturnix - Coturnix Japonica)

Abstract: This experiment was conducted to study the effect of free choice feeding and variety of protein sources on protein digestibility of Japanese Quail (Coturnix - coturnix japonica). Experiment used 216 japanese quail females, 3 weeks of age with average body weight 56,01 ± 1,61 g. They were kept in battery cages. Feedstuffs used in this study are corn, rice bran, soybean meal, fish meal, coconut meal, Poultry Meat Meal (PMM). Experimental design used was completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 replications and 9 treatments. Each replication consists of 8 heads of quail. T1 = 2 energy sources (rice bran, corn) and 2 protein