Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Quail”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Effect of organic selenium in quail diet on its accumulation in tissues and transfer to the progeny.

1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects on the eggs and hatchlings (up to 2 weeks post-hatch) of feeding a relatively large amount of so-called organic selenium to breeder quail. 2. Two groups of quail (3 families in each group consisting of 4 females and 1 male) were formed at the beginning of their reproductive period. The quail were fed on a commercial maize-based diet containing 0.096 mg/kg feed-derived selenium (Se), supplemented with 0.2 mg/kg selenite (control group) or 0.5 mg/kg organic selenium in the form of Sel-Plex (Alltech Ltd, USA) for 6 months. Eggs were collected at 6 months of age and Se in the egg yolk, egg white and shell was analysed. Five quail at 1, 7 and 14 d post-hatch were killed to provide samples of liver, brain, breast and leg muscles for Se analysis. After egg collection for analysis and incubation, adult quail were killed and liver, kidney, lung, brain, breast and leg muscles were collected for Se analyses. 3. Inclusion of high doses (0.5 mg/kg) of organic Se in the quail diet was associated with a significant increase in Se concentration in all tissues studied of adult quail as well as in egg yolk, egg albumin and eggshell. 4. Increased Se concentration in the quail egg was associated with increased Se concentration in the liver, breast and leg muscles and brain of newly hatched quail. This difference was shown to be significant for 2 weeks post-hatch. Therefore, it has been suggested that the maternal effect of dietary selenium can be seen beyond the hatching time and more emphasis should be given to this effect in future. 5. It was shown that it is possible to produce Se-enriched quail meat and eggs by adding organic selenium to the diet.

Aging↗
PubMed2006

Integrated maps in quail (Coturnix japonica) confirm the high degree of synteny conservation with chicken (Gallus gallus) despite 35 million years of divergence.

BACKGROUND: By comparing the quail genome with that of chicken, chromosome rearrangements that have occurred in these two galliform species over 35 million years of evolution can be detected. From a more practical point of view, the definition of conserved syntenies helps to predict the position of genes in quail, based on information taken from the chicken sequence, thus enhancing the utility of this species in biological studies through a better knowledge of its genome structure. A microsatellite and an Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) genetic map were previously published for quail, as well as comparative cytogenetic data with chicken for macrochromosomes. Quail genomics will benefit from the extension and the integration of these maps. RESULTS: The integrated linkage map presented here is based on segregation analysis of both anonymous markers and functional gene loci in 1,050 quail from three independent F2 populations. Ninety-two loci are resolved into 14 autosomal linkage groups and a Z chromosome-specific linkage group, aligned with the quail AFLP map. The size of linkage groups ranges from 7.8 cM to 274.8 cM. The total map distance covers 904.3 cM with an average spacing of 9.7 cM between loci. The coverage is not complete, as macrochromosome CJA08, the gonosome CJAW and 23 microchromosomes have no marker assigned yet. Significant sequence identities of quail markers with chicken enabled the alignment of the quail linkage groups on the chicken genome sequence assembly. This, together with interspecific Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH), revealed very high similarities in marker order between the two species for the eight macrochromosomes and the 14 microchromosomes studied. CONCLUSION: Integrating the two microsatellite and the AFLP quail genetic maps greatly enhances the quality of the resulting information and will thus facilitate the identification of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL). The alignment with the chicken chromosomes confirms the high conservation of gene order that was expected between the two species for macrochromosomes. By extending the comparative study to the microchromosomes, we suggest that a wealth of information can be mined in chicken, to be used for genome analyses in quail.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Drosophila fascin mutants are rescued by overexpression of the villin-like protein, quail.

Actin bundle assembly in specialized structures such as microvilli on intestinal epithelia and Drosophila bristles requires two actin bundling proteins. In these systems, the distinct biochemical properties and temporal localization of actin bundling proteins suggest that these proteins are not redundant. During Drosophila oogenesis, the formation of cytoplasmic actin bundles in nurse cells requires two actin bundling proteins, fascin encoded by the singed gene and a villin-like protein encoded by the quail gene. singed and quail mutations are fully recessive and each mutation disrupts nurse cell cytoplasmic actin bundle formation. We used P-element mediated germline transformation to overexpress quail in singed mutants and test whether these proteins have redundant functions in vivo. Overexpression of quail protein in a sterile singed background restores actin bundle formation in egg chambers. The degree of rescue by quail depends on the level of quail protein overexpression, as well as residual levels of fascin function. In nurse cells that contain excess quail but no fascin, the cytoplasmic actin network initially appears wild type but then becomes disorganized in the final stages of nurse cell cytoplasm transport. The ability of quail overexpression to compensate for the absence of fascin demonstrates that fascin is partially redundant with quail in the Drosophila germline. Quail appears to function as a bundle initiator while fascin provides bundle organization.

Actins↗
PubMed1997

Lipoprotein and apoprotein profiles of hyperlipidemic atherosclerosis-prone Japanese quail.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the lipoprotein and apoprotein profiles of hyperlipidemic atherosclerosis-prone (HAP) Japanese quail. HAP and commercially available (CA) Japanese quail were fed either a semi-purified diet containing 1% cholesterol or a cholesterol-free diet for two weeks. The lipoproteins of CA and HAP quail fed cholesterol-free diet were composed of two fractions: densities ranging from 1.02 to 1.09 and from 1.09 to 1.21. The lipoprotein distribution patterns obtained from both strains showed an HDL-predominant pattern. A protein of 26 kDa was the major apoprotein in the entire density range of the lipoprotein class. Marked increases in the cholesterol ester levels were observed in the lower density fractions (1.006 < d < 1.055: chylomicron and VLDL fractions) of the cholesterol-fed quail, accounting for 46% of the total lipids in CA quail and 54% in HAP quail. In addition, the presence of a protein of 470 kDa was exclusively observed in the lower density fractions (1.006 < d < 1.055) of the cholesterol-fed HAP quail. The fatty-acid compositions of the chylomicron and VLDL fractions were affected by the dietary cholesterol in both strains: a decrease in concentration of 16: 0 and increase in 18: 0 (weight %). However, cholesterol feeding had no effect on the level of cholesterol, chemical composition or fatty-acid composition of the HDL fractions in either strain. Although the lipoprotein and apoprotein profiles of HAP quail showed resemblances to those of the CA quail, expression of the 470 kDa protein in the lipoproteins (d < 1.055) appeared to be pronounced in HAP quail. The relevance of these lipoprotein and apoprotein profiles to the genesis of atherosclerosis was discussed in this study.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Metabolism of narasin in chickens and Japanese quail.

Thirty mature chicken hens and 60 mature Japanese quail hens were used to compare pathways of narasin excretion. Carbon-14-labeled narasin was injected into chickens (.7 microCi) and quail (.113 microCi) via cardiac puncture. Blood, sampled at varying times thereafter, and eggs and excreta collected daily for 28 days, were analyzed for 14C. Groups of six chickens and 12 quail were killed prior to [14C]narasin injection and on Days 1, 7, 14, and 28 postinjection to obtain tissue samples for 14C analysis. Blood rapidly cleared the label in both species. Less than 1% of the dose of [14C]narasin remained in blood plasma after 3 h postinjection in both chickens and quail. Label excretion peaked on Day 1 in both species, and most of the 14C was cleared via the excreta (76.7 and 93.6% of the dose for quail and chickens, respectively). Label appeared in the excreta more rapidly and cleared more quickly in quail than in chickens. After 24 h, 68 and 49% of the dose of [14C]narasin appeared in the excreta of quail and chickens, respectively. More label was recovered in the eggs of quail (4.18% of the dose) than in the eggs of chickens (1.32% of the dose). Liver, heart, fat, and ovarian tissues contained traces of radioactivity 1 day postinjection in both species. Muscle and kidney did not contain detectable amounts of label. By Day 7, all tissue had cleared 14C beyond detectable limits. The results indicate that chickens and quail metabolize [14C]narasin via similar pathways and that excretion in quail may be more rapid than in chickens.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Characterization of the toxicity of the mycotoxins aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and T-2 toxin in game birds. III. Bobwhite and Japanese quail.

Bobwhite and Japanese quail were fed diets containing 1.25, 2.50, or 5.00 ppm aflatoxin; 1, 2, or 4 ppm ochratoxin A (OA); or 4, 8, or 16 ppm T-2 toxin. Aflatoxin induced mortality in bobwhites during the second and third week with 1.25 ppm (10%), 2.50 ppm (30%), and 5.00 ppm (40%), and during the same period with T-2 toxin at 8 ppm (20%) and 16 ppm (22.5%). Body weights of bobwhite quail were significantly decreased by the two higher levels of aflatoxin by 2 weeks of age, and by the two higher levels of T-2 toxin by 1 week of age. In Japanese quail, only the highest level of aflatoxin and T-2 toxin reduced body weight (by 3 weeks and by 1 week of age, respectively), and even then to a much lesser extent than in bobwhites (less than 10%). Aflatoxin did not affect feed-conversion ratio (FCR) in bobwhite quail, but the two higher levels of T-2 toxin increased FCR. None of the toxins induced mortality or increased the FCR in Japanese quail. Aflatoxin increased liver weight in both bobwhite and Japanese quail. OA increased kidney weight in 3-week-old Japanese quail but had no effect on the kidney weight of bobwhite quail. Mouth lesions were progressively more severe in bobwhite quail fed increasing levels of T-2 toxin, but lesions were far less severe in Japanese quail.

Aflatoxins↗
PubMed1987

Cytodifferentiation of quail tectal primordium transplanted homotopically into the chick embryo.

The development of the retinotectal system in the quail embryo starts earlier and evolves faster than in the chick embryo. In order to establish whether the mesencephalic alar plate (i.e., the primordium of the optic tectum) of a quail embryo maintains its own rate of cytodifferentiation after transplantation into a chick embryo or whether this rate could be influenced by the host, we performed homotopic transplantations of the tectal primordium between the two species on day 2 of incubation (E2) by removing the mesencephalic alar plate in the chick and replacing it with that of the quail embryo. Graft extension was evaluated by means of the well-known quail nucleolar marker, and cytodifferentiation of both operated and unoperated tecta was analyzed from E3 to E12. It was found that: in most cases, the operated tectum is a chimera formed by a large dorsal territory consisting solely of grafted quail cells and a smaller ventral territory almost entirely made up of host chick cells. A clear boundary exists at the interface between these two territories. In the host, the temporal sequence of appearance of the various laminae, following a well-established rostroventral-caudodorsal developmental gradient, is comparable in both the operated tectum and the host territory of the chimeric tectum to that of a control chick tectum. In the graft, the migration of postmitotic cells starts earlier than in the host. However, in the former there is about a 12-h delay with respect to a control quail tectum. Proliferation and migration of cells take place in the graft much faster than in the host. Thus, the formation of the 8 deepest layers occurs according to the normal quail schedule, indicating that the early delay is quickly recuperated. This process of lamination follows the normal quail rostroventral-caudodorsal developmental gradient. The post-mitotic neurons originating in the grafted neuroepithelium follow a normal radial migration. Nevertheless, a few grafted cells occupy the host tectal territory far from the host/graft interface. These cells have been observed in both the stratum griseum centralis and the uppermost tectal layers, indicating that some tectal neurons are able to displace themselves tangentially. Contrary to what happens in the 8 deepest layers, which in the graft follow the normal quail cytodifferentiation schedule independently of the host, cytodifferentiation in the upper tectal layers is partially influenced by the host.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Evolution and molecular epidemiology of H9N2 influenza A viruses from quail in southern China, 2000 to 2005.

H9N2 influenza viruses have become established and maintain long-term endemicity in terrestrial poultry in Asian countries. Occasionally these viruses transmit to other mammals, including humans. Increasing epidemiological and laboratory findings suggest that quail may be an important host, as they are susceptible to different subtypes of influenza viruses. To better understand the role of quail in influenza virus ecology and evolution, H9N2 viruses isolated from quail during 2000 to 2005 were antigenically and genetically characterized. Our results showed that H9N2 viruses are prevalent year-round in southern China and replicate mainly asymptomatically in the respiratory tract of quail. Genetic analysis revealed that both the G1-like and Ck/Bei-like H9N2 lineages were cocirculating in quail since 2000. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that most of the isolates tested were double- or multiple-reassortant variants, with four G1-like and 16 Ck/Bei-like genotypes recognized. A novel genotype of G1-like virus became predominant in quail since 2003, while multiple Ck/Bei-like genotypes were introduced into quail, wherein they incorporated G1-like gene segments, but none of them became established in this host. Those Ck/Bei-like reassortants generated in quail have then been introduced into other poultry. These complex interactions form a two-way transmission system between quail and other types of poultry. The present study provides evidence that H9N2 and H5N1 subtype viruses have also exchanged gene segments to generate currently circulating reassortants of both subtypes that have pandemic potential. Continuing influenza virus surveillance in poultry is critical to understanding the genesis and emergence of potentially pandemic strains in this region.

Amino Acid Motifs↗
PubMed1991

Behavior of chick primordial germ cells injected into the blood stream of quail embryos.

The distribution and behavior of chick primordial germ cells (PGC) injected into quail embryos were examined. PGC from chick embryos at stages 13-14 were injected into the blood stream of quail embryos at stages 15-20. After one day, the quail embryos were examined histologically. The chick PGC in the quail embryos could be readily identified by the histochemical PAS technique, whereas quail PGC were never stained by PAS. When the chick PGC were injected into the quail embryos during stages 15-18, they appeared mostly in the gonadal region of the recipient quail embryos. A few PGC were found at extragonadal sites. When the chick PGC were injected into the quail embryos at stages 19-20, in which the PGC of the recipient quail embryos had finished their migration into the gonads, most of the donor chick PGC were found at ectopic sites, in the head, trunk and limbs. These results indicate that most of the chick PGC, injected at the earlier stages 15-18, migrated to the gonadal anlagen of the recipient, while following later injection (from stage 19), most of the chick PGC migrated to ectopic sites.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Pathogenicity of coccidia in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Coccidia were recovered from a field outbreak in commercially raised Japanese quail from South Carolina. After propagation in unmedicated quail, the culture was identified as a mixture of approximately 65% Eimeria uzura, 33% E. tsunodai, and 2% E. taldykurganica. Several pure cultures of E. uzura were obtained by single oocyst isolation. A micropyle was not present in all oocysts; thus, it is not a reliable taxonomic characteristic for identification of E. uzura. Neither the mixed culture nor the E. uzura isolates were infective for Bobwhite quail, Chukar partridge, pheasants, chickens, or turkeys. Seventeen-day-old quail were inoculated with various doses of sporulated oocysts ranging from 5 x 10(2) to 5 x 10(5) of the mixed culture and 1 x 10(3) to 1 x 10(6) of E. uzura. The rate of weight gain was depressed at 3 or 4 days postinoculation (DPT) with as few as 5 x 10(2) oocysts/quail of the mixed culture. As few as 1 x 10(3) oocysts of E. uzura produced a weight loss. Some individual quail had depressed packed cell volume and plasma pigment compared with levels in the uninoculated controls. Plasma protein was not affected. Young quail (3 days old at inoculation) were more susceptible than 17-day-old quail. Infection did not adversely affect body weights of adult quail, although egg production was reduced. Mortality was seen only with the mixed culture (100 and 8% in 3- and 17-day-old quail given 5 x 10(5) oocysts, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗
PubMed1999

[Epidemic rhabdomyolysis due to the eating of quail. A clinical, epidemiological and experimental study].

BACKGROUND: Few toxic outbreaks by quails ingestion have been described, none in Spain, and the toxic hasn't been identified. A toxic outbreak, by quails ingestion that ate Galeopsis ladanum seeds, is described and an animal model is developed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A rhabdomyolysis outbreak by quails ingestion is studied clinical and epidemiologically. Quails crops were analyzed and 20 patients were studied. A murine model was developed. Alcaloid content in Galeopsis ladanum seeds and quail meat was measured. RESULTS: Twenty patients suffered from rhabdomyolysis (myalgia, increase of muscular enzymes and myoglobinuria) by ingestion of quails that ate Galeopsis ladanum seeds as it could be seen at their crops. Six patients needed hospital care but evolution was benign. Rats fed with quails that ate Galeopsis ladanum seeds had higher creatinkinase (CK) levels than controls rats (near significance, p = 0.0588). Several alcaloids, stachydrine included, was detected in seeds. Another alcaloid no identified was detected in quails meat. CONCLUSIONS: Quails that eat Galeopsis ladanum seeds are toxic for human beings, causing rhabdomyolysis. A plant alcaloid could be the toxic involved in the outbreak.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1986

Interspecies selective motoneuron projection patterns in chick-quail chimeras.

During normal development chick motoneurons have been shown to project selectively to appropriate muscles by responding to a series of cues, both specific and nonspecific, within the limb. We tested the ability of motoneurons from another avian species, the Japanese quail, to respond to these cues by transplanting chick limb buds onto quail embryos and quail limb buds onto chick embryos between stages 17 1/2 and 19. Feulgen staining, which distinguishes chick from quail cells on the basis of nuclear chromatin, revealed that all limb tissue, including muscle, was of donor origin, indicating that the migration of somite-derived muscle precursor cells had been completed by the time of transplantation. Normal quail motoneuron pools for most muscles were located in the same relative positions as homologous chick pools. In chick-quail chimeras we found that the motoneuron pools of one species selectively innervated the homologous muscles in the limb of opposite species with considerable precision. This was determined by defining the segmental innervation pattern of the muscles electrophysiologically and by retrogradely labeling motoneuron pools with HRP. Selective innervation was confirmed by using the functional activation patterns of the motoneuron pools as an additional means of identifying motoneurons. We conclude that any limb-derived cues required by motoneurons to project to their appropriate muscles must be similar in chick and quail and that the growth cones of both species must have similar detector systems for responding to these cues. Only 7 spinal segments were found to innervate the quail limb (versus 8 for the chick), resulting in an anterior shift in the spinal segments innervating several posterior quail muscles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

The prevalence and retention of lead pellets in Japanese quail.

Thirty-six Japanese quail (18 control birds, 18 lead-dosed birds) were used. The 18 quail were dosed with #4 lead weight that were orally inserted into the proventriculus. Delta-aminolevulunic acid dehydrase (ALAD) activity in erythrocytes in the dosed quail decreased 90% (p < 0.01) after one week as compared with the undosed quail. This inhibition of ALAD activity in erythrocytes indicates lead exposure. Radiographics were obtained at 0, 1, 4, 9, 22, and 32 days. The lead pellets remained in the gizzard and became smaller in 4 days. At day 22, after the lead treatment, in 8 quail of the treated quail 12, the lead pellets disappeared. At day 32, all lead pellets disappeared. These findings indicate that the ingested lead pellets are absorbed gradually in the intestine. The lead concentrations in the blood, liver, kidney, and femur of the lead-dosed quail were significantly higher than in the undosed quail until the 6th week. At week 2, the lead concentration of the proventriculus, gizzard, gizzard contents, duodenum, small intestine, and cecum in the dosed quail was significantly higher. Lead concentration of feces was significantly higher at weeks 2 and 4 (p < 0.01). Throughout this study, no lead pellets were found in the feces.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Effect of long and short photoperiod on vasotocin neurons of paraventricular nuclei and adrenal function of water deprived Japanese quail.

The responses of magnocellular neurons of paraventricular nuclei (PVN) and changes to adrenal activity to water deprivation in Japanese quail maintained under gonado-inhibitory and stimulatory photoperiods were examined. Water deprivation of 4 days resulted in a 12% decrease in body weight of sexually regressed short day (SD, 6L:18D) quail, while the decrease was more (18%) in sexually stimulated long day (LD, 16L:8D) quail. The increase in plasma osmolality following water deprivation was also more (47%) in LD than to SD quail (36%). Under the LD condition, quail had increased numbers, sizes and immunostaining of ir-AVT neurons of PVN compared to SD condition. A significant increase in the number of ir-AVT neurons was observed following 4 days of water deprivation in both SD and LD quail compared to their respective fully hydrated controls. However, the degree of response was more under the LD compared to the SD condition suggesting that gonado-stimulatory long days increase the activity/response of the AVT system. Increased adrenal ascorbic acid content (i.e., activity) was also observed to quail of LD when compared to SD treatment. However, osmotic stress led to adrenal hypertrophy and hyperactivity of quail of both of the photoperiodic regimes. Our findings indicate that not only osmotic stress but also photo-gonadal stimulation upregulates the expression of hypothalamic AVT genes and increases the localization of ir-AVT in many neurons of PVN. The above results support the existence of a parallel adrenal-gonad relationship and increase in adrenal function during osmotic stress, which also leads to simultaneous increase in AVT system. We conclude that photo-sexual conditions alter hypothalamic vasotocinergic and adrenal activity in Japanese quail and the degree of stimulation of the two systems following osmotic stress is higher under gonado-stimulatory LD conditions.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed2006

Culicoides bottimeri as a vector of Haemoproteus lophortyx to quail in California, USA.

Arthropod sampling via periodic direct bird examination and regular light trapping was conducted between June 2000 and October 2002 to survey for potential vectors of Haemoproteus lophortyx to nonnative, captive-raised bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) in northern California, USA. Examination of individual bobwhite quail (from 5 weeks of age through adult, total n=76) was conducted on several dates during the transmission period (June-October). No ectoparasites, including hippoboscid flies (reported as Haemoproteus vectors to wild quail in early literature), were collected from the birds. Trapping with ultraviolet light suction traps near the quail revealed nine species of biting midges (Culicoides spp.). Of these, 94% were C. bottimeri, which was abundant near the birds, and 65% of collected C. bottimeri were engorged with blood. C. bottimeri adult activity began in late-April, slightly before the onset of disease in the quail. Activity peaked between July and late-September, coincident with maximum reported transmission, and adult activity ceased by early-November. Nonengorged C. bottimeri had a parity rate of 43.6% overall, suggesting excellent survival for biological transmission of a pathogen like H. lophortyx. A controlled study was done injecting a macerated slurry of pooled, nonengorged, wild-caught C. bottimeri into the peritoneum of 1-day-old bobwhite quail hatchlings held in insect-proof containers. Blood smears 13-19 days later confirmed H. lophortyx infection in zero controls but all insect-injected quail. Biting midges, especially C. bottimeri, transmit H. lophortyx to captive quail and probably are the dominant vector to native California quail (Callipepla californica) as well.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Chicken microsatellite primers are not efficient markers for Japanese quail.

Domestic fowl or chicken (Gallus gallus) and Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) belong to the family Phasianidae. The exchange of marker information between chicken and quail is an important step towards the construction of a high-resolution comparative genetic map in Phasianidae, which includes several poultry species of agricultural importance. We tested chicken microsatellite markers to see if they would be suitable as genetic linkage markers in Japanese quail. Twenty-six per cent (31/120) of chicken primers amplified individual loci in Japanese quail and 65% (20/31) of the amplified loci were found to be polymorphic. Eleven of the polymorphic loci were excluded as uninformative because of the lack of amplification in some individuals or high frequency of nonspecific amplification. The sequence information of the remaining nine loci revealed six of them to contain microsatellites that were nearly identical with those of the orthologous regions in chicken. For these six loci, allele frequencies were estimated in 50 unrelated quails. Although the very few chicken markers that do work well in quail could be used as anchor points for a comparative mapping, most chicken markers are not useful for studies in quail. Therefore, more effort should be committed to developing quail-specific markers rather than attempting to adapt chicken markers for work in quail.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Experimental Aspergillus fumigatus infection in quails and results of treatment with itraconazole.

This study was performed to investigate (i). the clinical, histopathological and biochemical changes in quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) with experimentally induced aspergillosis; and (ii). the efficiency of itraconazole treatment on these infected birds. A total of 18021-day-old male quails was randomly divided into three groups (control, infected untreated and infected treated), each containing 60. The experimental infection was set by intratracheal inoculation of 0.2 ml inoculum of Aspergillus fumigatus (CBS 113.26 strain) consisting of approximately 2.7 x 106 spores/ml. Two days after the inoculation, general clinical signs of aspergillosis in the respiratory tract were observed. In the histopathological examination, caseous foci were found in lungs, trachea and on airsacs. All quails died in the infected untreated group. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated from the various organs of all dead quails. There was no significant change in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activities in infected untreated birds compared with controls. However, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, albumin and calcium levels, and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio were lower while phosphorus and globulin levels were higher in the infected untreated group than in controls. Each quail in the infected treated group was given 10 mg/kg/day itraconazole via drinking water for 7 days immediately after the first clinical findings. Although all quails died in the infected untreated group, 41 quails survived in the itraconazole treatment group. Biochemical values also returned approximately to the control levels after the treatment. The conclusion was drawn that aspergillosis in the quails might cause economical losses because of high mortality. Oral itraconazole treatment of aspergillosis might lower the mortality rate in quails.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2002

T-maze behavior and early egg production in Japanese quail selected for contrasting adrenocortical responsiveness.

Broiler chicks that traverse a T-maze quickly to reinstate contact with their companions (HP, high performance) are known to grow faster, be more social, and exhibit a reduced plasma corticosterone (B) response to acute stress than slower (LP, low performance) chicks. Genetic lines of Japanese quail selected for reduced (LS, low stress) or exaggerated (HS, high stress) plasma B response to brief restraint also differ in sociality and performance. In the present study, we asked if divergence in early T-maze behavior was associated with differential attainment of puberty and early egg production in these lines. At 3 d of age, LS and HS quail were categorized as HP or LP birds based on running times in a T-maze. Thus, there were four treatment combinations: HP-LS, HP-HS, LP-LS, and LP-HS birds. Daily egg records were kept for 8 wk. The average ages at first egg lay (FIRST), at 25% egg production (A25% EP), and weekly and cumulative hen-day egg production (HDEP) where calculated. Daily egg weight (EWT) data were also collected, and BW measures were made at the end of the trial. Mean FIRST and A25% EP responses were lower (P < 0.02) and cumulative HDEP was greater (P < 0.04) in HP than in LP quail. Despite considerable numerical reductions in FIRST and A25% EP, as well as 5% elevation in cumulative HDEP in LS quail, line differences in these variables were not significant. On the other hand, FIRST and A25% EP were reduced (P < 0.05) in HP-LS quail when compared to LP-HS ones, whereas HP-HS and LP-LS quail showed intermediate and similar responses that did not differ from the other two treatment groups. Mean cumulative HDEP findings for the interactive effect of performance category with line mimicked these puberty findings. EWT and BW measures were not affected by any of the treatments or their interactions. Our results suggest that rapid negotiation of the T-maze by quail chicks is associated with accelerated puberty and increased HDEP in quail of two genetically diverse lines. This effect is particularly evident in quail selected for reduced adrenocortical responsiveness, suggesting possible additive effects.

Adrenal Cortex↗