Coturnix

About: Coturnix is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 953 publications have been published within this topic receiving 23305 citations.

Plumage development and moult in the European Quail Coturnix c. coturnix: criteria for age determination

Abstract: Sequence, rate and duration of moult were studied in captive bred European Quail Coturnix coturnix coturnix. The founder population originated from southwest France. The study was conducted between 1986 and 1989 on birds aged from 1 day to 2 years, exposed to a seasonal photoperiod corresponding to latitude 16°N during autumn and winter and latitude 48°N during the remainder of the year. Under these conditions, adult quail showed two annual moults with only the post-breeding one being complete. The pre-breeding moult essentially involved the throat feathers. Large interindividual variation was observed in the duration, timing and development of the post-breeding moult: 60% of the studied birds suspended moult when they developed migratory restlessness and then finished renewing their feathers during the winter. The post-juvenile moult was also suspended when 7–9 weeks old (3–6 primaries and 1–10 secondaries renewed). After this suspension, the length of which was related to the hatching date, the moult continued up to p7. The three outer primaries were kept for the first year and were replaced only during the post-breeding moult. Based on the examination of wing patterns, our study provides reliable criteria for discriminating between age classes. The numbers of primaries and secondaries simultaneously in growth or renewed were different between the age classes. The secondaries of adults were renewed later in the moult stage than were the secondaries of juveniles. These criteria provide field researchers with a guide that enables them to age quail with reasonable accuracy.

The effects of prenatal and postnatal auditory stimulation on early vocalization and approach behavior in the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Abstract: The purpose of this experiment was to examine the effects of prenatal and postnatal auditory stimulation and the effects of age, experience, and social context during testing on the early behavior of chicks of the quail Coturnix coturnix japonica. One group of chicks (group PRO) was exposed to a 2000-Hertz tone twice per second for 4 hours before hatching and 4 hours after hatching. A second group (group PR) was exposed to the auditory stimulus for 4 hours before hatching. A third group (C, controls) was not exposed to the stimulus. For testing, each group was divided into 7 categories defined by age at testing, prior test experience, and whether the subject was tested singly or with another chick. Each chick was tested for 8 minutes with the auditory stimulus on and 4 minutes with it off. Peep (distress) vocalizations and approaches to the auditory stimulus as opposed to a tactile stimulus in a choice test were recorded. Chicks in all groups peeped less when the auditory stimulus was turned on, and peeped less when tested in pairs. Age at testing and prior test experience had no effect. Group PRO peeped more than either group PR or group C, regardless of whether the sound was on or off. Few chicks approached either stimulus in the choice test, but all that did preferred the auditory stimulus. Group PRO approached more frequently than group C but less frequently than group PR. Thus both prenatal and postnatal auditory stimulation modified later vocalization and approach behavior. Several possible interpretations of these findings as well as their implications for imprinting research methodology are discussed.

Two distinct aquaporin-4 cDNAs isolated from medullary cone of quail kidney.

Abstract: Water deprivation or arginine vasotocin upregulates aquaporin-2 (AQP2) expression in apical and subapical regions of medullary collecting duct (CD) cells of Coturnix coturnix quail (q) kidneys. We therefore aimed to determine whether the CD has AQPs mediating water exit from the intracellular to the extracellular (interstitial) space. Using a homologue cloning technique, we isolated two distinct qAQP4 cDNAs from quail medullary cones; long (L, open reading frames) and short (S) cDNA encoded 335 (qAQP4-L) and 301 (qAQP4-S) amino acids with, respectively, 80% and 87% identity to human long- and short-form AQP4. qAQP4-S is identical to qAQP4-L from the second initiation site. Both isoforms have two NPA motifs, but lack cysteine at the known mercury-sensitive site. qAQP4-L and qAQP4-S are expressed in membranes of Xenopus laevis oocytes, but both failed to increase the water permeability ( P f ) of oocytes exposed to a hypotonic solution. Glutamate (Q242) replacement with histidine did not increase P f . With conventional RT-PCR and real-time PCR, qAQP4-L/S mRNA signals were detected in the brain, lung, heart, intestine, adrenal gland, skeletal muscle, liver, and kidney (higher in medulla than in cortical region). qAQP4-L mRNA was detected only in the brain and adrenal gland. Orthogonal arrays of intramembranous particles were not detected in quail CDs. The results suggest that although qAQP4-L and qAQP4-S have high homology to mammalian AQP4, their physiological function may be different.

Enhancement of Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation Promoted by Avian Chorioallantoic Membranes

Abstract: Avian chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) has been used as a model to explore angiogenesis and to study the microvasculature of transplanted tissues. Because CAM provides a vascular bed, cells can be implanted, and their development can be monitored and modified. We used the CAM model to study the differentiation process of embryoid bodies (EBs) derived from mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) influenced by the CAM vascular bed. After EBs were incubated in CAM for 5 days, they underwent further differentiation and became tissue masses (TMs) of different morphologies from those that grew outside CAM. Immunohistochemical analysis of TMs demonstrated tissue-specific markers such as neurofilament light, CD34, collagen IV, cardiac myosin heavy chain (MHC), and cardiotin. Differentiated mouse blood vessels stained with anti-CD31 were found within the TMs, as well as blood vessels stained positive for QH1 and QCPN, markers for quail endothelial cells and perinuclear quail antigen, respectively. Quail erythrocytes inside mouse blood vessels suggested a connection between existing quail vessels and blood vessels growing inside the TMs as a result of EB differentiation. Therefore, CAM could be a suitable model to trigger and study the differentiation of EBs in close interaction with surrogate quail blood vessels.