Coturnix

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

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.

Diagnosis and Control of a LPAI H5N8 Outbreak in a Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) Commercial Flock in the Central Valley of California

Abstract: In April 2014 an outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 North American genetic lineage was diagnosed in a commercial quail operation in Stanislaus County, California. Sudden increase in mortality prompted the submission of 20 Japanese quail hens (Coturnix c. japonica) to the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, Turlock Branch. Oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs tested positive for influenza A virus H5N8 by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The virus was subsequently isolated. In vivo assay and sequencing of the hemagglutinin protein cleavage site classified the virus as a North American genetic lineage of low pathogenicity for chickens. Following the diagnosis, a rapid and coordinated response took place to contain the outbreak. The affected premise was depopulated, cleaned, and disinfected. Three areas from the affected premises-a 3 kilometer (km) radius (High Risk Zone), a 3-10 km area (Buffer Zone), and a 10-20 km (Surveillance Zone)-were established for avian influenza testing of commercial and noncommercial poultry operations. Surveillance testing and rapid control measures were successful in the control and eradication of the outbreak and revealed no area of spread of the virus from the index flock. This report describes the history, diagnosis, surveillance, and control measures applied to manage this outbreak.

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.