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PubMed1989

Neuroanatomical localization of sex steroid-concentrating cells in the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica): autoradiography with [3H]-testosterone, [3H]-estradiol, and [3H]-dihydrotestosterone.

Steroid autoradiography was undertaken to determine the neuroanatomical loci which might be involved in the activation of steroid-sensitive behaviors in the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Male and female quail were either surgically gonadectomized or photically regressed and implanted with androgen or estrogen to restore normal sexual and courtship behavior. After gonadectomy or implant removal, each quail was injected with 250 microCi of [3H]-testosterone (3H-T), [3H]-estradiol (3H-E2), or [3H]-dihydrotestosterone (3H-DHT), sacrificed, processed for autoradiography, and the telencephalon, diencephalon, mesencephalon, and rhombencephalon were examined for labelled cells. Following 3H-T or 3H-E2 injection and autoradiography, labelled cells were found in nucleus septalis lateralis (SL), nucleus preopticus medialis (POM), nucleus paraventricularis (PVN), regio lateralis hypothalami (LHy), nucleus inferior hypothalami (IH), nucleus infundibuli (IN), nucleus intercollicularis (ICo), substantia grisea centralis (GCt), nucleus taeniae (Tn), and in the reticular formation near nucleus motorius nervi trigemini (MV). In addition, following 3H-E2 autoradiography, labelled cells were found around nucleus accumbens (Ac). Following 3H-DHT autoradiography, labelled cells were found only in SL, PVN, Tn, LHy, ICo, and CGt. No labelled cells were found in Ac, POM, IH, IN, or MV even after long exposure times. These results suggest that the nuclei labelled following 3H-E2 but not 3H-DHT administration bind exclusively the aromatized metabolites of T. Since quail show a sex difference in male-typical copulatory behavior in response to E2, labelled cells were counted in POM, LHy, IH, and Tn of male and female quail following 3H-E2 injection and autoradiography. No sex differences in the number of labelled cells were found in POM, LHy, or IH. Males were found to have more labelled cells than females in Tn. These results show that sex differences in male-typical copulatory behavior are not due to sex differences in the number of cells binding estrogens in POM. The results reported here constitute the most neuroanatomically extensive report of steroid binding cells to date for a galliform brain, the first comparison in a galliform bird of the distributions of cells labelled following injection of 3H-T, 3H-E2, and 3H-DHT and the first analysis of sex differences in numbers of estrogen-binding cells in four nuclei in the avian brain.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[125I]melatonin binding sites in membrane preparations of quail brain: characteristics and diurnal variations.

The binding of [125I]melatonin, a labelled ligand of melatonin, to quail brain membrane preparations was studied. Kinetic studies indicated that the binding of [125I]melatonin to membrane preparations of quail brains collected at mid-light was time-dependent and reversible. The Kd value determined from kinetic analysis was 614 pmol/l, similar to the Kd 705 +/- 81 pmol/l obtained from saturation experiments. The [125I]melatonin binding sites in quail brain membrane had the following order of pharmacological affinities: melatonin greater than 6-chloromelatonin greater than N-acetylserotonin greater than 5-hydroxytryptamine much greater than 5-methoxytryptophol, tryptamine, L-tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan, 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid, 1-acetylindole-3-carboxaldehyde, 3-acetylindole. Compounds known to act on serotonergic, adrenergic or acetylcholinergic receptors were inactive as compared with melatonin. Our results demonstrated the presence of specific melatonin binding sites in the quail brain membrane preparations. In addition, saturation studies demonstrated that [125I]melatonin binding sites in quail brain membrane preparations were 42% higher at mid-light (39.6 +/- 2.2 fmol/mg protein) than at mid-dark (22.6 +/- 2.5 fmol/mg protein), with no significant variation in their binding affinities.

Adaptation, Biological↗
PubMed1980

Role of testosterone and of its metabolites in regulating gonadotrophin secretion in the Japanese quail.

In the Japanese quail gonadal steroids can depress plasma levels of LH and FSH. Since it is now accepted that testosterone metabolites may be metabolized to the tissue-active forms of the hormone, the in-vitro tissue incubation has been combined with steroid replaement therapy in vivo to investigate the physiological roles of various testosterone metabolites as inhibitory feedback agents on gonadtorophin secretion in quail. After the incubation of quail pituitary glands for 3 h with labelled testosterone four metabolites could be identified; androst-4-ene-3,17-dione, 5 beta-dihydrotestosterone (5 beta-DHT), 5 beta-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol and 5 alpha-DHT. No 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol was found. Quantitatively, androstenedione was the major metabolite and converison of testosterone to 5 beta-metabolites was significantly greater than to 5 alpha-androgens. Hypothalamic and hyperstriatal tissues converted testosterone than to 5 alpha-androgens. Hypothalamic and hyperstriatal tissues converted testosterone to androstendione, 5 beta-DHT and 5 beta-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol but not to 5 alpha-DHT or 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol. Gonadotrophin secretion was studied in castrated quail after chronic s.c. implantation of steroid-containing silicone elastomer capsules or acute injection i.m. of steroid in ethanol: saline. Irrespecive of the route of administration seven androgens, listed in descending order of potency, reduced the increased levels of plasma LH: testosterone: 5 alpha-DHT; androstenedione; 5 alpha-androstane-3, 17-dione; 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol; 5 alpha-androstan-3 alpha-ol-17-one; 5 alpha-androstan-3 beta-ol-17-one. No changes in levels of plasma LH were observed after the administration of 5 beta-DHT, 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol, 5 beta-androstante-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol, 5 beta-androstane-3, 17-dione, androst-5-ene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol or androst-5-en-3 beta-ol-17-one. Testosterone and oestradiol-17 beta were effective in inhibiting secretion of both LH and FSH in young photostimulated quail and completely blocked testicular growth: 5 alpha-DHT inhibited only the release of LH and testicular growth was unaffected.

Androgens↗
PubMed1982

Photoperiodic modulation of gonadotrophin secretion in castrated Japanese quail.

Male Japanese quail were castrated when sexually immature and immediately exposed to one of the following stimulatory lighting regimes for 52 days: 11 h light: 13 h darkness/day (11L : 13D), 12L : 12D, 13L : 11D, 14L : 10D, 15L : 9D, 16L : 8D, 20L : 4D or 23L : 1D. One group was retained on short days (8L : 16D). Clearcut differences in the plasma levels of LH and FSH emerged between the various groups. Levels remained very low in castrated quail on 8L : 16D but were much greater in those on 14L : 10D, 15L : 9D, 16L : 8D, 20L : 4D and 23L : 1D, eventually becoming 15 to 20 times higher. Less pronounced castration responses developed on 13L : 11D, 12L : 12D or 11L : 13D. Alterations in photoperiod after day 52 caused an appropriate rise or fall in LH secretion. Photoperiodically induced suppressions were rapid, being highly significant within 4 days, but increases usually had a slower time course. When sexually mature quail (on 16L : 8D) were castrated and transferred to 8L :16D they also exhibited a rapid suppression in LH secretion. Thus in quail, unlike some mammals, the photoperiodic control over gonadotrophin secretion is independent of the reproductive status of the animal at the time of castration. The results confirm the view that changes in sensitivity of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis to gonadal steroids are not a primary factor in the neural mechanisms underlying photoperiodism in quail.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Response of bobwhite quail and gray-tailed voles to granular and flowable diazinon applications.

We used gray-tailed voles (Microtus canicaudus) and northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) as experimental model species to field test whether small mammals and birds respond differently to equivalent concentrations of a pesticide applied in granular and flowable formulations. In mid-May 1998, we placed voles into 15, 0.2-ha enclosures planted with a mixture of pasture grasses. In mid-July, we placed quail into the same enclosures with the voles. In late July, we applied the organophosphorus insecticide diazinon in five treatments; a control (all habitats sprayed with water), liquid formulation of diazinon at 0.55 kg/ha, liquid formulation of diazinon at 1.11 kg/ha, broadcast of granular diazinon at 1.11 kg/ha, and broadcast of granular diazinon at 2.22 kg/ha. The diazinon treatment in liquid and granular formulations did not depress population size or growth rate, or survival rate of voles. We found a significant difference in the survival rate of the quail between the controls and treatments; granular diazinon caused a measurable decline of quail survival, whereas the liquid application at an equivalent rate did not significantly affect quail survival. Analysis of our results suggests that ground-feeding birds are more susceptible to granular insecticides than flowable applications, but voles were not susceptible to either formulation at the rate we used.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Antibody responses to xenogeneic red blood cell challenge in the Japanese quail.

Previous reports indicate that Japanese quail are hyporesponsive to such conventionally used antigens as sheep red blood cells and bovine serum albumin. In this study the immune responsiveness of Japanese quail to several erythrocyte antigens was investigated. The quail produced higher antibody titers when immunized with chukar red blood cells than when immunized with sheep, turkey, or pheasant red blood cells. It is concluded that Japanese quail are capable of producing HA titers comparable in magnitude to those demonstrated by other laboratory animals, when the quail are immunized with an appropriate antigen. Chukar red blood cells are such an antigen.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Improved histology for the chick-quail chimera.

A simple modification of nuclear staining after acid hydrolysis has been made which provides easy identification of quail nuclear markings in a chick-quail chimera. This method also improves the histologic detail normally seen with hematoxylin and eosin when compared to the more commonly used Feulgen reaction. Embryonic tissues can be fixed in Zenker's or Helly's solution and the sections obtained are hydrolyzed in acid (3.5 N HCl at 37 C for 40-50 min). After acid hydrolysis the sections are stained with hematoxylin and eosin rather than Schiff reagent and fast green. The interphase nuclei of chick cells show homogeneous or mottled purplish blue staining, while quail nuclei contain a dark blue spot. This staining corresponds to the reddish purple staining of the quail's heterochromatin seen adjacent to the nucleolus in the standard Feulgen stain. This new technique facilitates identification of quail cell types in the chick host and provides superior histology of the chick tissues by demonstrating cytoplasmic detail.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Grouping in Japanese quail. 1. Agonistic behavior during feeding.

Agonistic behavior in male Japanese quail, shown by aggressive pecking after feed restriction, was potentiated in unstable groups (a visitor bird moved to a new cage containing an unfamiliar resident each 24-hr period) but not in stable (a pair that was never changed once the birds were placed in cages) groups. The resident quail were more aggressive than either visitors or individuals of the stable groups. Ambivalent behavior (behavior characterized by an aggressive action followed immediately by a submissive posture) during feeding competition was observed in both the unstable and stable groupings. The ambivalent behavior appeared to be a conditioned response and was probably a result of the motivation to feed after a period of feed deprivation. During the experimental period the stable pairs of quail gained 28% of their initial body weight, but the resident and visitor quail, which were in the unstable grouping, gained only 15 and 13%, respectively. The differences in percentage weight gain were significant. Paired testes weights of the resident and visitor quail were significantly less than those of the stable birds.

Aggression↗
PubMed1983

Lead-induced egg production decrease in Leghorn and Japanese quail hens.

A study was conducted to compare the response of chicken hens and Japanese quail hens to various levels of dietary lead as plumbus acetate. Egg production was decreased significantly in quail receiving 1 mg lead/kg of diet from day of hatch, and 10 mg lead/kg diet was required to suppress egg production when the metal was given to the quail hens after they had reached sexual maturity. In chicken hens given lead after they had attained approximately 80% hen-day production, a comparable decline in egg production was seen in hens consuming at least 200 mg lead/kg of diet. Total plasma calcium in quail hens was reduced significantly by 10 mg lead/kg of diet, but total plasma calcium in chicken hens was not reduced with levels of less than 200 mg lead/kg of diet. There was no correlation between blood calcium level and decreased egg production in chicken hens consuming dietary lead at levels less than 200 mg/kg diet, suggesting that lead influences egg production in birds through mechanisms that may not be dependent entirely upon calcium metabolism. Removal of lead from the diets of quail was associated with significant increases in egg production and total plasma calcium, but removal of lead from the diets of chicken hens did not cause any increase in total plasma calcium or increase egg production in treated hens. However, hens consuming the highest level of dietary lead (400 mg/kg) did increase significantly their rate of egg production, but this was attributed to recovery from a lead-induced molt.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Effects of chronic high-level manganese exposure on male behavior in the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Male Japanese quail were chronically exposed to 5000 ppm manganese (Mn) as particulate manganese oxide (Mn3O4) in their diet from hatching to 75 days of age. No decrements in growth or in other indices of general toxicity were noted. There were significant (P less than .05) age-related increases in general locomotor activity in the control group, although no significant (.05 less than P less than .10) increases were seen in the Mn-treated group. Both control and Mn-treated groups had significant (P less than .05) age-related increases in aggressive behavior with an overall significant (P less than .05) treatment-related depression. Serum testosterone concentration was only slightly depressed (.05 less than P less than .01) in the 75 day-old, Mn-treated quail. Both the control and Mn-treated quail had higher liver Mn concentrations than previously reported in rodents. Both control and Mn-exposed quail accumulated 5 to 10 times more Mn in their livers than similarly treated rodents. This study indicated that the Japanese quail was less sensitive to particulate Mn3O4 exposure than rodents treated comparably.

Aggression↗
PubMed1986

The relationship of certain blood parameters to aflatoxin resistance in Japanese quail.

Blood chemistry profiles were obtained for two lines of Japanese quail selected for resistance to aflatoxin, and for a nonselected control line. Nine of the 18 plasma components measured in samples taken at 4 weeks of age changed as a result of selection. Plasma concentrations of total protein, albumin, cholesterol, and potassium, and the activities of lactic dehydrogenase, glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase, and cholinesterase were significantly elevated in aflatoxin-resistant quail compared with the nonselected line. The activities of beta-glucuronidase and alpha-amylase changed most dramatically; both activities were much lower in the resistant lines than in the control line. In another experiment, serum total protein, albumin, alpha-amylase, and beta-glucuronidase were tested as identifiers of aflatoxin-resistant individuals within a nonselected population of quail. Serum samples obtained from 150 nonselected quail immediately before and 24 hr after administration of an oral dose of aflatoxin were analyzed for each of the four components. The acute toxicosis decreased body weight, serum alpha-amylase activity, total protein, and albumin; whereas, serum beta-glucuronidase activity and the coefficients of variation for each parameter were increased. Correlations between measurements made prior to dosing and parameters reflecting aflatoxin susceptibility were not significant. However, postdose determinations of albumin, protein, and beta-glucuronidase were significantly related to susceptibility parameters. These data indicate that the four blood components tested cannot be utilized to identify resistant birds within a nonselected population of quail without an aflatoxin challenge; but albumin, protein, and beta-glucuronidase are correlated with resistance when measured during an aflatoxin stress.

Aflatoxins↗
PubMed1985

Effects of pelletized anticoagulant rodenticides on California quail.

A moribund, emaciated California quail (Callipepla californica) that was found in an orchard in the state of Washington had an impacted crop and gizzard. Pellets containing the anticoagulant chlorophacinone (Rozol, RO) were in the crop; the gizzard contents consisted of a pink mass of paraffin that was selectively accumulated from the paraffinized pellets. The plasma prothrombin time of 28 sec was near that determined for control quail. The signs of RO intoxication seen in the moribund wild quail were duplicated in captive quail given ad libitum diets of either RO or another paraffinized chlorophacinone pellet (Mr. Rat Guard II, MRG). This left little doubt that paraffin impaction of the gizzard was the primary problem. All captive quail fed RO or MRG pellets showed no increases in prothrombin times compared to control values, died in an emaciated condition, and had gizzards impacted with paraffin.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Quail (Coturnix japonica) protamine, full-length cDNA sequence, and the function and evolution of vertebrate protamines.

Using the chicken protamine gene as a probe, we have isolated and sequenced several positive clones from a quail testis cDNA library which reveal the complete sequence for the quail protamine cDNA. The predicted amino acid sequence for the quail protamine contains the N-terminal tetrapeptide ARYR present in the N-terminal region of the mammalian protamines as well as several conserved motifs and arginine clusters. In addition the size of the quail protamine (56 amino acids) is closer to that of mammals (50 amino acids) than that of the chicken (61 amino acids). Altogether this data strongly suggests the existence of an avian-mammalian protamine gene line during evolution. Southern blot analysis suggests a small number of copies (2) per haploid genome (similar to that of chicken). The reported quail protamine cDNA sequence is the second avian protamine for which the amino acid sequence is available so far and provides new insights into vertebrate protamine function and evolution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Marek's disease in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica): a study of natural cases.

Marek's disease was observed in quails. Gross lesions were confined mostly to the spleen and liver. Microscopic lesions were commonly seen in spleen, proventriculus, liver, and duodenum. Skin, peripheral nerves, and other visceral organs were also involved. Of 123 quails examined, 39 had serum antibodies against Marek's disease. These antibodies were detected from 11 to 17 weeks of age; the highest incidence was recorded at 15 weeks. Feather follicular antigen detected in 30 of the 95 quails was comparable to that of chicken. The disease was experimentally reproduced in susceptible quails. Marek's-disease-tumor-associated surface antigens (MATSA) were demonstrated in the peripheral leukocytes and spleen cells of affected quails. The possible source of infection and its epidemiological importance are discussed.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1986

Ultrastructural and cytochemical studies in normal Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) eosinophils and in those from birds with experimentally induced eosinophilia.

Normal eosinophil development in the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) was similar to that described in the fowl and the duck, with granulogenesis occurring in the Golgi apparatus. The characteristic lipid droplets were small in the immature eosinophils, and after staining specifically for lipid, small moieties were also traced to the Golgi apparatus. In mature eosinophils the lipid droplets measured between 1.0 and 1.5 micron in diameter and they were surrounded by profiles of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Eosinophilia was difficult to induce in quails; injections of either horse serum or bovine serum albumin (BSA)/aluminium hydroxide produced a poor response. In some quails in which eosinophilia was produced, however, eosinophil granules showed many crescentic and vacuolated forms. The lipid droplets in the activated eosinophils were fused in many cells to form large intracellular aggregates of lipid. Quail eosinophils, which hitherto have been regarded as peroxidase-negative, had strong activity in the lipid droplets of cells from stimulated birds. It is postulated that this peroxidase-positive reaction may represent a form of ceroid or lipofuscin pigment resulting from lipid peroxidation. Acid phosphatase and trimetaphosphatase reactions were reduced in many activated cells, with a large proportion of granules being non-reactive. The results of dietary manipulations in quails appear to suggest that in stressful situations the eosinophil metabolism is altered and there is a reduction in the number of lipid droplets in the cell.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗
PubMed1978

Growth curve changes associated with long-term selection for body weight in Japanese quail.

Four quail lines were utilized to investigate growth patterns in quail. Three of these lines (P, T and S) had previously undergone long-term selection for high 4-week body weight, while line C was maintained as a nonselected control. Quail progeny from generation 37 and 38 breeders were fed diets containing 28% and 20% protein. Within each trial, the diet/line treatments were replicated 3 times with 12 quail per subclass. Body weight measurements suggested that the growth of all lines was best approximated by the logistic growth curve model. When fed a 28% protein diet the age at maximum growth (point of inflection) of selected lines was 4 to 6 days earlier than the corresponding age of controls. Similar rates of gain after 4 weeks of age between selected and control lines suggested that mechanisms influenced by selection for 4-week body weight in quail operate only during the period prior to the age at selection with little or no residual effect.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Articular cartilage repair in the avian quail-chick chimera model.

The natural history of the cells which participate in the repair of defects in articular cartilage was studied in the chick-quail chimeric system. This system involves interspecific grafting of quail limb rudiments onto the vascularized chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) where the grafts revascularized and grow. Differences in cell morphology make it possible to clearly differentiate cells which subsequently arise from the grafted elements, from those which subsequently originate in the host (chick) tissues and migrate into the grafts. Herein, lesions were produced in quail femurs just prior to the time they were grafted to the chick CAM. The lesions were of two types: those restricted to the proliferative and hypertrophic zones of the cartilaginous epiphyses, and those which penetrated through the cartilage into the subchrondral marrow space. Epiphyses cut transversely at the level of the proliferative and hypertrophic cells failed to resurface with hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage. Cavities produced in these areas also failed to repair. However, lesions which penetrated through the epiphyses into the medullary spaces filled with calcified bone trabeculae, and all the osteoblasts and osteocytes in the repair bone had nuclei of the graft (quail) type. The observations suggested that the cells resident in articular cartilage have little ability to effect healing, and that the new bone was derived from osteoprogenitor cells in the quail marrow stroma which moved with capillaries into the lesions. Indirect evidence is presented to support the concept that chondrocytes surviving ossification of the epiphyses can also contribute to the osteoprogenitor cell pool. A fibrocartilage metaplasia was not observed at the joint surface in this system, presumably due to the absence of biomechanical influences.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

A comparative study on the effects of 5-fluorouracil on glycosaminoglycan synthesis during palate development in quail and hamster.

A comparative study was undertaken to investigate the effects of 5-fluorouracil (FU) on glycosaminoglycans (GAG) synthesis during morphogenesis of the secondary palate in birds (where, unlike mammals, palate morphogenesis begins in a horizontal direction ad initium and lacks mammalian-type shelf reorientation) and mammal. Previous studies have shown that FU induces cleft palate in both birds and mammals. Air sacs of quail eggs were injected with 100 micrograms FU in 0.1 ml saline or 0.1 ml saline only. Hamsters were given intramuscular injection of 81 mg/kg FU in 1 ml saline or 1 ml saline only. Total GAG synthesis was measured by incorporation of 3H-glucosamine. Sulfated and non-sulfated GAGs were identified by Alcian Blue histochemistry combined with the use of GAG-degrading enzymes. The results indicated that a continuous synthesis of GAG at a steady rate was associated with normal palate morphogenesis in both quail and hamster. The amount of GAG synthesized in hamster palate was four-fold higher than in quail palate. In contrast to the developing hamster palate where the predominant GAG was hyaluronate, the major GAGs present during quail palate development were sulfated and were concentrated on the nasal side. FU treatment did not affect the rate of GAG synthesis in the developing palate of quail. In contrast, FU administration altered the rates of GAG synthesis, and affected hyaluronate accumulation, during palate morphogenesis in hamster.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alcian Blue↗