Coturnix

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

Surface marker for hemopoietic and endothelial cell lineages in quail that is defined by a monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: A mouse monoclonal antibody raised in response to quail immunoglobulin mu chain was found to exhibit a broad reactivity towards hemopoietic and endothelial cells in the quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Indirect immunofluorescence assays were performed at several stages of embryonic development and until 3 weeks after hatching, on either isolated cells or tissue sections. They revealed that the defined surface marker, referred to as MB1, (i) is expressed early on both intra- and extraembryonic hemopoietic stem cells and is transmitted to the whole progeny of these precursors, with the exception of mature erythrocytes, and (ii) is a constant feature of the endothelial cell surface throughout ontogenesis and adult life. In addition, this epitope is included in several soluble plasma components. MB1 expression was not detected in chicken tissues, and this characteristic was used to confirm its lineage restriction in quail-chicken chimeras. We stress the value of this species- and lineage-specific marker in study of the development of the hemopoietic and endothelial cell families, with special reference to their possible early common embryonic origin.

Seasonal Morphological Changes in the Neuro-Glial Interaction between Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Nerve Terminals and Glial Endfeet in Japanese Quail

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.

Dietary vitamin C and folic acid supplementation ameliorates the detrimental effects of heat stress in Japanese quail

Abstract: We evaluated the effects of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and folic acid supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics and concentrations of the oxidative stress markers [malondialdehyde (MDA), homocysteine], adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), vitamins C, E, A, B-12 and folic acid, and mineral status in broiler Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) exposed to high ambient temperature (34 degrees C, 8 h/d, 0900-1700 h). The birds (n = 150; 10-d-old) kept at 34 degrees C were fed a basal diet (HS group) or the basal diet supplemented with 250 mg of L-ascorbic acid/kg of diet (Vit C group), 1 mg of folic acid/kg of diet (FA group) or both (Vit C + FA group), whereas birds kept at 22 degrees C were fed the basal diet (TN group). Supplementing heat-stressed quail with vitamin C and folic acid improved performance compared to the HS group. Effects generally were greatest in quail supplemented with both. Although supplementation did not consistently restore concentrations to those of the TN group, it increased serum concentrations of the vitamins under study. Furthermore, serum and tissue MDA, homocysteine and ACTH concentrations were lower in the supplemented groups than in the heat-stressed controls. Retention of N, ash, Ca, P, Zn, Fe, Cu and Cr were highest in the Vit C + FA group and lowest in the HS group (P < 0.05). The results of the study indicate that vitamin C and folic acid supplementation attenuates the decline in performance and antioxidant status caused by heat stress. Such supplementation may offer protection against heat stress-related depression in performance of Japanese quail.