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PubMed2005

[Study on genetic diversity of wild quail in China with microsatellite DNA markers].

Genetic diversity of domestic quail and two wild quail species distributed in China, wild Japanese quail and wild common quail,was studied by using microsatellite DNA markers. According to the comparison of corresponding genetic index in the three quail populations, such as polymorphism information content (PIC), mean heterozygosity (H) and fixation index etc, wild common quail possessed rich genetic diversity of 4.67 alleles per locus. Its value of PIC and H were the highest, 0.5732 and 0.6621, respectively. Meanwhile, domestic quail had the lowest value, 0.5467 and 0.5933, respectively. Wild Japanese quail had little difference in genetic diversity with domestic quail. In addition,from analyses of fuzzy cluster based on standard genetic distance,the similarity relation matrix coefficients between wild Japanese quail and domestic quail was 0.937, and that between wild common quail and domestic quail was 0.783. All these results showed that wild Japanese quail was closer to the domestic quail in phylogenetic relationship than wild common quail. These results at the molecular level further proved the thesis that domestic quail is originated from wild Japanese quail.

Alleles↗
PubMed1982

Development of a latex-conjugated immunocytological marker for scanning electron microscopic analysis of quail-chick chimeras.

Quail-chick chimeras are created by transplanting pieces of quail tissue to chick. We have used antibodies combined with a cell surface marking technique [modified after Molday et al.('75)], to facilitate scanning electron microscopic (SEM) identification of quail cells in such chimeras. First, antibodies to quail RBCs were raised in rabbits by intravenous injection. Rabbit anti-quail RBC serum was precipitated by ammonium sulfate, purified by DEAE chromatography, and cross-absorbed with chicken RBCs. Second, sheep anti-rabbit IgG was purchased commercially and further purified by affinity chromatography. Third, 900-A-diameter latex beads were synthesized by aqueous emulsion copolymerization of methacrylates. Spheres were bound with diaminoheptane to create an extension arm which was further derivatized in a two-step glutaraldehyde procedure. Purified sheep IgG was bound to the aldehyde-activated spheres, with uncoupled sheep IgG removed by sucrose density centrifugation. To test the marker, rabbit anti-quail IgG was added to 1% diluted quail RBCs. After washing, sheep anti-rabbit IgG bound spheres were introduced. Washed cells were fixed in one-half strength Karnovsky's and processed for SEM. Quail RBCs were uniformly decorated with beads, containing 2,000 beads per cell. Similarly treated chick RBCs show no binding to beads. Likewise, quail RBCs not pre-treated with the rabbit IgG do not bind beads. Prefixed quail RBCs still bind latex-conjugated beads, although at somewhat reduced levels. When mixtures of quail and chick RBCs were processed for identification: (1) sphere labeling was an "all or none" phenomenon; (2) the proportion of bead-decorated cells observable in the SEM was the same as the proportion of quail RBCs provided in the initial mix; and (3) morphologically distinguishable embryonic chick RBCs did not label whereas under the same conditions, quail RBCs do. We further demonstrate that rabbit antibodies prepared by injection of stage 4 quail primitive streaks can be used to specifically label quail epiblast and mesoblast cells, providing markers for at least two germ layers. It is now possible to combine grafting techniques of known success, with SEM analysis of the chimera.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Complete nucleotide sequence of the Coturnix chinensis (blue-breasted quail) mitochondrial genome and a phylogenetic analysis with related species.

Coturnix chinensis (blue-breasted quail) has been classically grouped in Galliformes Phasianidae Coturnix, based on morphologic features and biochemical evidence. Since the blue-breasted quail has the smallest body size among the species of Galliformes, in addition to a short generation time and an excellent reproductive performance, it is a possible model fowl for breeding and physiological studies of the Coturnix japonica (Japanese quail) and Gallus gallus domesticus (chicken), which are classified in the same family as blue-breasted quail. However, since its phylogenetic position in the family Phasianidae has not been determined conclusively, the sequence of the entire blue-breasted quail mitochondria (mt) genome was obtained to provide genetic information for phylogenetic analysis in the present study. The blue-breasted quail mtDNA was found to be a circular DNA of 16,687 base pairs (bp) with the same genomic structure as the mtDNAs of Japanese quail and chicken, though it is smaller than Japanese quail and chicken mtDNAs by 10 bp and 88 bp, respectively. The sequence identity of all mitochondrial genes, including those for 12S and 16S ribosomal RNAs, between blue-breasted quail and Japanese quail ranged from 84.5% to 93.5%; between blue-breasted quail and chicken, sequence identity ranged from 78.0% to 89.6%. In order to obtain information on the phylogenetic position of blue-breasted quail in Galliformes Phasianidae, the 2,184 bp sequence comprising NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 and cytochrome b genes available for eight species in Galliformes [Japanese quail, chicken, Gallus varius (green junglefowl), Bambusicola thoracica (Chinese bamboo partridge), Pavo cristatus (Indian peafowl), Perdix perdix (gray partridge), Phasianus colchicus (ring-neck pheasant), and Tympanchus phasianellus (sharp-tailed grouse)] together with that of Aythya americana (redhead) were examined using a maximum likelihood (ML) method. The ML analyses on the first/second codon positions, the third codon positions, and amino acid sequence consistently demonstrated that blue-breasted quail and Japanese quail are in the same phylogenetic cluster.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Distribution of 153Gd in F1 quail.

Eggs laid by 153 Gd-labeled Japanese quail were collected each day for 24 days. Maximum transference of the lanthanide to an oocyte approximated 27% of the dose given the quail and occurred usually for the egg collected on the third day. The 24 largest oocytes from each of 2 quail were removed 18 hr after labeling the quail. The curve for a plot of percent 153Gd vs. gram of oocyte for these 24 oocytes approximated a log-log function. Eggs double-labeled with 153 Gd and Sudan black B showed no label in the latebra. Quail hatched from labeled eggs were dissected at various times up to 67 days of age. The percent of egg 153 Gd that was found in the F1 quail decreased from 100% to approximately 55% during the first 14 days. The percentage recovery for mature quail was 55.8%. The major portion of the 153Gd present in each F1 quail was found in the yolk sac and ranged from 96.0% for hatchlings a few hours old to 73.3% for mature quail. The weight of the yolk sac decreased from .7 g for hatchlings to .04 g for mature quail. The first 5 eggs laid by producing F1 quail contained a total of .643% of the 153 Gd in these quail. The graph curve for these eggs for percent 153Gd vs. day of collection approximated an exponential function, in contrast to the marked maximum seen for 153Gd levels in eggs laid by the parent quail.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Isolation and identification of the third component of complement of Japanese quails.

The identification of the third component of complement (C3) of Japanese quails was attempted by using rabbit antiserum prepared against quail serum-treated zymosan (ZX) as an initial reagent. This antiserum (anti-ZX) had agglutinating activity on rabbit erythrocytes reacted with quail antibody and quail complement (EACq) but not on EAq, and developed two precipitin lines against quail serum at beta- and gamma-regions in crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Subsequently, monospecific antisera to each of these precipitin lines were prepared in rabbits, and quail serum proteins reactive with these antisera were purified by salt precipitation followed by Sephadex gel filtration and DEAE cellulose column chromatography. One protein with a m.w. of 184,000 (184K) resembled mammalian C3 in that: 1) monospecific antiserum (anti-184K protein serum) agglutinated EACq but not EAq; 2) treatment of fresh quail serum with either inulin or zymosan resulted in the conversion of the precipitin line developed against 184K protein from gamma to beta in crossed immunoelectrophoresis; 3) the 184K protein was shown to consist of two polypeptide chains of 110K and 73K linked by disulfide bonds. Furthermore, the 184K protein in serum was cleaved through the incubation with inulin to 174K and 140K proteins that might correspond to C3b and C3c of human complement; 4) the 184K protein bound to zymosan was eluted with hydrazine or methylamine but not with Nonidet P-40, indicating that 184K protein binds to zymosan by a covalent bond but not by a hydrophobic one; and 5) by treatment of fresh quail serum with methylamine, complement reactivity was reduced, although its activity was restored by the addition of purified 184K protein. These results suggest the 184K protein is the quail's equivalent to mammalian C3. When quail serum was reacted with cells that had complement-activating capacity, quail C3 deposited on their membrane as in mammalians; however, no conversion of quail C3 was noted by the reaction with CVF. Antibody to quail C3 failed to cross-react with that in mammals.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Retinoic acid accelerates the development of reproductive organs and egg production in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

The effects of retinoic acid on the development of reproductive organs and egg production in female Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were investigated. Female quail were fed a diet containing retinoic acid at 4 mg/kg (RA) or two diets containing retinyl acetate at 5000 IU/kg (VA1) or 14 000 IU/kg (VA2) after being fed a vitamin A-free diet for 2 wk (experiment 1). The oviduct and ovary grew more rapidly (P < 0.05) in RA-treated quail than in VA-treated quail at 5 wk of age. In addition, the body weight of RA-fed quail was also greater (P: < 0.05) than that of VA-fed quail at 5 wk. The RA-treated quail laid their first eggs approximately 5 days earlier (P < 0.05) than the VA-treated quail. Furthermore, these RA-fed quail laid more eggs (P < 0.05) than those VA-fed quail during the experimental period. To confirm the results of experiment 1, a similar experiment was conducted to record the first egg and total eggs laid by quail fed VA2 or RA (experiment 2). The early onset of oviposition was again observed in the RA-treated group (P < 0.01). These results suggest that retinoic acid has a stimulating effect on the reproductive system of female Japanese quail, as has been previously shown in the reproductive system of male Japanese quail.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Neuroendocrine and behavioral implications of endocrine disrupting chemicals in quail.

Studies in our laboratory have focused on endocrine, neuroendocrine, and behavioral components of reproduction in the Japanese quail. These studies considered various stages in the life cycle, including embryonic development, sexual maturation, adult reproductive function, and aging. A major focus of our research has been the role of neuroendocrine systems that appear to synchronize both endocrine and behavioral responses. These studies provide the basis for our more recent research on the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on reproductive function in the Japanese quail. These endocrine active chemicals include pesticides, herbicides, industrial products, and plant phytoestrogens. Many of these chemicals appear to mimic vertebrate steroids, often by interacting with steroid receptors. However, most EDCs have relatively weak biological activity compared to native steroid hormones. Therefore, it becomes important to understand the mode and mechanism of action of classes of these chemicals and sensitive stages in the life history of various species. Precocial birds, such as the Japanese quail, are likely to be sensitive to EDC effects during embryonic development, because sexual differentiation occurs during this period. Accordingly, adult quail may be less impacted by EDC exposure. Because there are a great many data available on normal development and reproductive function in this species, the Japanese quail provides an excellent model for examining the effects of EDCs. Thus, we have begun studies using a Japanese quail model system to study the effects of EDCs on reproductive endocrine and behavioral responses. In this review, we have two goals: first, to provide a summary of reproductive development and sexual differentiation in intact Japanese quail embryos, including ontogenetic patterns in steroid hormones in the embryonic and maturing quail. Second, we discuss some recent data from experiments in our laboratory in which EDCs have been tested in Japanese quail. The Japanese quail provides an excellent avian model for testing EDCs because this species has well-characterized reproductive endocrine and behavioral responses. Considerable research has been conducted in quail in which the effects of embryonic steroid exposure have been studied relative to reproductive behavior. Moreover, developmental processes have been studied extensively and include investigations of the reproductive axis, thyroid system, and stress and immune responses. We have conducted a number of studies, which have considered long-term neuroendocrine consequences as well as behavioral responses to steroids. Some of these studies have specifically tested the effects of embryonic steroid exposure on later reproductive function in a multigenerational context. A multigenerational exposure provides a basis for understanding potential exposure scenarios in the field. In addition, potential routes of exposure to EDCs for avian species are being considered, as well as differential effects due to stage of the life cycle at exposure to an EDC. The studies in our laboratory have used both diet and egg injection as modes of exposure for Japanese quail. In this way, birds were exposed to a specific dose of an EDC at a selected stage in development by injection. Alternatively, dietary exposure appears to be a primary route of exposure; therefore experimental exposure through the diet mimics potential field situations. Thus, experiments should consider a number of aspects of exposure when attempting to replicate field exposures to EDCs.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Changes in metabolite concentration in the plasma, liver and muscle of feed restricted Japanese quail exposed to cold.

Quail fed ad libitum and 50% ad libitum were cold exposed for several weeks, during time control quail remained at 21 degrees C. The concentration of plasma glucose, FFA, and uric acid, tissue glycogen and carcass fat content was measured at the end of the cold exposure period. Quail fed ad libitum showed no significant change in the levels of plasma and tissue metabolites, or the carcass fat content, following cold exposure. The feed consumption by the cold exposed quail increased, and the mean body weight showed little variation from that of the controls. Feed restricted quail which were cold exposed lost significantly more weight, and had a lower ranked fat content than their controls. Whereas feed restriction caused a lowering of the liver glycogen concentration in both treatment groups, muscle glycogen levels were higher than in quail fed ad libitum. However, cold exposure was not accompanied by a change in muscle and liver glycogen levels in feed restricted quail. Feed restricted quail at 21 degrees C were hypoglycaemic and hyperlipaemic compared to quail fed ad libitum, but cold exposed feed restricted quail had a much higher plasma glucose concentration than the controls. The ranked carcass fat content was inversely related to plasma FFA level in both control and cold exposed feed restricted quail. It is suggested that both a glycolytic and lipid mobilizing response to cold is obtained in quail whose body reserves are not spared from catabolism by adequate dietary nutrient absorption, and the possibility of gluconeogenesis from precursors produced by proteolysis is indicated.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1975

Marek's disease in Japanese quail -- a pathological, virological and serological study.

Experimental studies were performed to see whether Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) are susceptible to JM strain of Marek's disease virus (MDV). In three identical trials, a total of 120, one-day-old quail were inoculated intra-abdominally with 0.2 ml. of chicken blood infected with MDV (JM strain) and raised in FAPP isolators. Uninfected controls were inoculated with normal saline only and raised separately. During the 18-week post infection observation period, 65-80% of the infected quail died within six weeks, while the highest mortality in control groups was only 0-5%. In each trial, ocular lesions with or without unilateral or bilateral blindness and signs of torticollis were evident in a few quail after 10-14 weeks. Gross and microscopic lesions suggestive of MD were observed 14 days on. The most pronounced lesions were observed in lungs. Neural tissues were least affected. In general, females were more susceptible than males. MD-specific fluorescent and precipitating antigens were detected in different visceral tissues, buffy coat and cultured macrophages of infected quail. Fluorescent antigen appeared at 6-7 days after infection, whereas precipitating antigen appeared after 12-15 days. Viral (MDV) infectivity tests in cell cultures and bioassay in one-day-old chicks and quail demonstrated that infected quail become viremic around the seventh day post infection. A cytopathic agent similar to MDV was also isolated from quail. Neither Newcastle disease virus nor a bacterial agent was isolated from the quail. MD-specific fluorescent precipitating antibodies were present in the egg yolk and plasma of both infected sick and infected symptomless quail. The earliest detectable plasma MD antibody appeared in 14-21 days. Such findings were not observed in quail from parent stock and controls. Our studies demonstrated that Japanese quail are susceptible to JM strain of MDV.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Avian pox: infection and immunity with quail, psittacine, fowl, and pigeon pox viruses.

Quail, chickens, and turkeys vaccinated with pigeon and fowl pox viruses were not protected against challenge of their immunity with quail pox virus and they developed severe cutaneous lesions of pox. When quail and chickens were vaccinated with quail pox virus and given pigeon and fowl pox challenge viruses, no protection was present. Thus, quail pox virus had no immunologic relationship to pigeon and fowl pox viruses. Psittacine pox virus applied as a vaccine in quail and chickens also failed to protect against quail pox virus challenge. However, quail, chickens, and turkeys vaccinated with quail pox virus were protected against quail pox virus challenge. An isolate of psittacine pox virus, applied as a vaccine, protected chickens against challenge with the same virus isolate and also against challenge with two other psittacine pox virus isolates, confirming a close or identical antigenic relationship with each other. When combined in a multivalent vaccine, quail, psittacine, and fowl pox viruses induced excellent protection in chickens against challenge with the three respective viruses. The presence or absence of "takes" or reactions following vaccination by the wing web route did not necessarily correlate with the presence or absence of immunity noted from challenge by feather follicle virus application. The role of quail and psittacine pox viruses as potential pathogens for poultry was discussed briefly.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Development of mechanoreceptor numbers in embryonic chick-quail chimeras.

Our experiments addressed the problem of the regulation of the number of mechanoreceptors by sensory axons and/or their peripheral target tissues. According to a previous study (Zelená et al. 1997) white leghorn chickens have more muscle spindles in the plantaris muscle (45.4+/-7.8; mean+/-SD) than the Japanese quail (35.3+/-4.8) and significantly more Herbst corpuscles in the crural region (380.0+/-85.0) than the quail (124.9+/-32.8). Embryonic chick-quail chimeras were therefore used as a model with distinct recombinations of the nerve supply and peripheral tissue for studying the developmental control of these mechanoreceptors. The chick host leg bud was replaced with a quail leg bud of equal age and vice versa on embryonic day 3, prior to the onset of innervation of the periphery. Shortly before hatching the chimeras were sacrificed and muscle spindles and Herbst corpuscles counted. Recombinations of chicken nerves with quail limb buds have shown that the richer nerve supply by chick Ia axons induced a significant increase in the number of muscle spindles in the plantaris muscles (55.5+/-13.4) of the grafted quail limb. In some instances, a similar increase in spindle numbers was also found in control legs grafted onto hosts of the same species. In the reverse type of chimera where chick embryo legs were grafted onto quail hosts, spindles developed in lower numbers (27.3+/-3.2). In that case the lower number of Ia axons in quail nerves induced a lower number of spindles in the chicken muscle. The numbers of Herbst corpuscles were, however, low in both types of chimera. Quail legs grafted onto host chick embryos contained 126.8+/-26.4 corpuscles, presumably due to a restrictive influence of the smaller crural area in the quail. Chick legs grafted onto quail hosts had only 99.6+/-34.1 crural corpuscles; the target area in chick embryo legs failed to attract more quail axons and/or to induce axonal sprouting. The developmental regulation of the number of the two types of mechanoreceptors examined in our study thus differ. While sensory axons appear to play the dominant role in the development of muscle spindles, their role seems to be restricted by hitherto unknown peripheral factors during the development of Herbst corpuscles.

Animals↗