The incorporation of sumac seed powder (Rhus coriaria L.) into the diet of quail breeders as a novel feed additive.

A total of 150 adult quails, aged 8 wk, were divided into 5 groups to study the effect of sumac seed powder on reproductive and productive parameters, egg quality, digestive enzymes, and quail breeders' blood profiles. Dietary supplements containing sumac powder were formulated as follows: group 1 (G1) (control, only basal diet); group 2 (G2) (basal diet + 1 g sumac powder/kg diet); group 3 (G3) (basal diet + 2 g sumac powder/kg diet); group 4 (G4) (basal diet + 3 g sumac powder/kg diet); and group 5 (G5) (basal diet + 4 g sumac powder/kg diet). The feed conversion ratio was significantly higher at all levels of sumac powder (P < 0.05) compared to the control group (G1). Overall, during the study (8-16 wk), quail-fed 3 g sumac powder/kg diet (G4) showed no significant increase (P > 0.05) in the feed intake compared to the control group. Sumac powder supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) increased egg number, egg weight, egg mass, fertility, and hatchability. While supplementing with sumac powder did not impact other egg quality parameters, it did significantly (P < 0.05) increase yolk percentage, Haugh unit, and unit surface shell weight. Furthermore, when compared to the control group (G1), birds given 2, 3, or 4 g of sumac powder/kg diet showed a significant improvement (P < 0.05) in hematological parameters such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and hemoglobin, as well as a decrease in glucose levels. Feeding quail with a 3 g sumac powder/kg diet (G4) resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) higher globulin levels and improved albumin/globulin ratio compared to other treatments and control (G1). Sumac powder intake significantly (P < 0.05) reduced plasma lipid profile, liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase), and kidney functions (creatinine, and urea). Furthermore, the supplementation of sumac powder resulted in a substantial increase (P < 0.05) in the levels of amylase, lipase, and protease. Sumac powder administration also significantly (P < 0.05) improves immunity by boosting IgM, IgG, IgA, and lysozyme levels in quail breeders' plasma. Supplementing with sumac powder, on the other hand, increased levels of reduced glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. The results of the current study indicated that the addition of 1, 2, 3, and 4 g of sumac powder to the diet of Japanese quail breeders led to improvements in egg quality, digestive enzymes, reproductive and productive performances, and most blood hematological and biochemical parameters.

Effects of taurine supplementation on productive performance, nutrient digestibility and gene expression of nutrient transporters in quails reared under heat stress.

This study was conducted to examine the effects of dietary taurine supplementation on productive performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant status, and the gene expression of ileal nutrient transporters in laying quails reared under heat stress (HS). One hundred and eighty laying Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were fed a basal diet or basal diet supplemented with either 2.5 or 5 g of taurine per kg of diet, and reared at either 22 ± 2 °C for 24 h/d (thermoneutral, TN) or 34 ± 2 °C for 8 h/d (HS) for 12 weeks. The quails reared under HS consumed less feed, produced less egg, and had lower dry matter, organic matter and crude protein apparent digestibilities compared with the quails reared under the TN condition (P = 0.001). However, increasing taurine concentrations in the diet improved feed intake and egg production (P = 0.001), but also the apparent digestibilities (P ≤ 0.027) in quails reared under HS. The greater doses (5 g/kg) of taurine resulted in more responses. The quails reared under HS had greater serum and liver MDA concentrations (P = 0.0001) which decreased with dietary taurine supplementations, particularly greater doses. The gene expressions of ileal PEPT1, EAAT3, CAT1, CAT2, SGLT1, SGLT5, GLUT2, and GLUT5 decreased under HS conditions (P = 0.001). However, supplementing taurine, in a dose-dependent fashion, to the diet of quails reared under HS resulted in increases in the gene expressions of the transporters (P < 0.05) except for CAT1. The results of the present work showed that taurine supplementation, particularly with greater doses (5 g/kg), to the diet of laying quails kept under HS acts as alleviating negative effects of HS, resulting in improvements in productive performance and nutrient digestion, and also upregulation of ileal nutrient transporters.

Floor space and betaine supplementation alter the nutrient digestibility and performance of Japanese quail in a tropical environment.

This study investigated the effects of floor space and betaine supplementation on the nutrient digestibility and performance of laying quail, at an advanced stage of production, in a tropical environment. In total, 408 laying quail (23 weeks old) were distributed in 3 × 2 factorial arrangements with four replicates. The first factor was floor space (250 cm2 [FS-1], 221 cm2 [FS-2], and 200 cm2 per bird [FS-3]) by allocating 15, 17, and 19 birds per cage (cage size: 3750 cm2). The second factor was betaine supplementation, administered at levels of 0 (Control) and 0.12% (Betaine). The birds were housed under a natural, tropical environment that was outside the predominant thermoneutral zone, indicating heat stress conditions. Interactions were found between floor space and betaine on crude fiber digestibility, egg production, and eggshell thickness, with the highest values being yielded in FS-2 group supplemented with betaine. Reducing the floor space to 200 cm2 negatively affected nutrient digestibility and performance. The birds kept in FS-3 had lower (P < 0.05) dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, and calcium digestibility values than those kept in FS-1 and FS-2. Birds housed in FS-2 exhibited higher egg weight than those in FS-3 (P < 0.05), although they did not differ from those in FS-1. Furthermore, a lower eggshell weight in FS-3, compared with FS-1 and FS-2, was observed (P < 0.01). Betaine supplementation enhanced the dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, and calcium digestibility values (P < 0.05). Accordingly, betaine improved feed intake, egg weight, feed conversion, and protein and energy efficiency ratios (P < 0.01). Betaine also resulted in higher albumen, yolk, and eggshell weights (P < 0.01). In conclusion, a floor space of 221 cm2, combined with betaine supplementation at 0.12%, can be applied for raising quail under high environmental temperatures.

Sperm characteristics of Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) breeders as affected by the addition of calcitriol to the semen extender.

This study was carried out to determine the effect of supplementing the semen extender with calcitriol on in vitro sperm characteristics in Chukar partridges. A total of 60 male Chukar partridges were habituated for semen collection by abdominal massage. Pooled ejaculates from several males were extended (1 to 5 v/v ratio) in the Sexton's diluent containing 0, 24, 48, 96, or 192 µg calcitriol/mL. These concentrations represented 0-, 2-, 4-, 8-, and 16-fold levels of the mean seminal calcitriol concentration, respectively. A total of 12 subsamples from each treatment group were kept at 4 to 5°C or 19 to 24°C for 4, 24, or 48 h. The percentages of motile sperm, live sperm, abnormal sperm, incidence of hypoosmotic swelling (HOS), and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) concentrations were determined. The data were analyzed by the xtmixed procedure of STATA software. The percentages of motile sperm, live sperm, abnormal sperm, and seminal TBARS were affected by calcitriol (P < 0.05). There was no effect of treatments on HOS (P > 0.05). There was an interaction effect between calcitriol, storage time, and storage temperature on sperm motility, sperm viability, and seminal TBARS. Supplementation of the diluent with 96 µg calcitriol/mL resulted in the highest sperm motility at 4°C. Also, the same treatment group recorded the highest sperm viability and lowest seminal TBARS at 19 to 24°C. Supplementing the diluent with calcitriol had beneficial effects on spermatozoa; however, the fertility rate of spermatozoa extended in calcitriol-supplemented diluent needs to be determined before the procedure can be recommended for use in artificial insemination programs.

Propolis alleviates the negative effects of heat stress on egg production, egg quality, physiological and immunological aspects of laying Japanese quail.

The present work was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary propolis supplementation to laying Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) on egg production, egg quality, physiological and immunological aspects under heat stress conditions. A total of 200, 21-day-old, Japanese quail females were distributed equally into standard wired cages in two identical environmentally-controlled rooms (10 cages per room, 10 birds per cage). From 29-70 d of age, the quail birds in the first room remained at a normal temperature of 24°C (C group), whereas the quail birds in the second room were kept under heat stress at 35°C (HS group). Each group was further assigned to 2 propolis subgroups (5 cages per subgroup); one of them received a basal diet without propolis supplementation (-PR subgroup), while, the other received 1 g propolis/ kg basal diet (+PR subgroup). In the present study, performance and egg production of laying quail were significantly (P<0.001) impaired by HS treatment and improved by the PR treatment. Similarly, the negative and positive effects of HS and PR, respectively, were appeared on the egg shell thickness and yolk index. Stress indicators in laying quail were significantly (P<0.001) increased by HS, while, PR significantly (P<0.05) moderated these levels in the HS+PR group when compared to the HS-PR quail group. In addition to the positive impact of PR on the plasma levels of calcium, phosphorus, and albumin, it also normalized the plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase and cholesterol in the heat-stressed quail birds. Moreover, the quail birds in the HS groups expressed lower immunological aspects than those in the C group, while, the addition of propolis to the diets enhanced the immune status of laying quail birds under HS conditions. These results strongly suggest that dietary propolis supplementation could be a successful attempt to maintain the performance and egg production of laying Japanese quail at convenient levels under heat stress conditions.

Steroid profiles in quail brain and serum: Sex and regional differences and effects of castration with steroid replacement.

Both systemic and local production contribute to the concentration of steroids measured in the brain. This idea was originally based on rodent studies and was later extended to other species, including humans and birds. In quail, a widely used model in behavioural neuroendocrinology, it was demonstrated that all enzymes needed to produce sex steroids from cholesterol are expressed and active in the brain, although the actual concentrations of steroids produced were never investigated. We carried out a steroid profiling in multiple brain regions and serum of sexually mature male and female quail by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The concentrations of some steroids (eg, corticosterone, progesterone and testosterone) were in equilibrium between the brain and periphery, whereas other steroids (eg, pregnenolone (PREG), 5α/ß-dihydroprogesterone and oestrogens) were more concentrated in the brain. In the brain regions investigated, PREG sulphate, progesterone and oestrogen concentrations were higher in the hypothalamus-preoptic area. Progesterone and its metabolites were more concentrated in the female than the male brain, whereas testosterone, its metabolites and dehydroepiandrosterone were more concentrated in males, suggesting that sex steroids present in quail brain mainly depend on their specific steroidogenic pathways in the ovaries and testes. However, the results of castration experiments suggested that sex steroids could also be produced in the brain independently of the peripheral source. Treatment with testosterone or oestradiol restored the concentrations of most androgens or oestrogens, respectively, although penetration of oestradiol in the brain appeared to be more limited. These studies illustrate the complex interaction between local brain synthesis and the supply from the periphery for the steroids present in the brain that are either directly active or represent the substrate of centrally located enzymes.

Dietary canthaxanthin reduces xanthophyll uptake and red coloration in adult red-legged partridges.

Carotenoids give color to conspicuous animal signals that are often the product of sexual selection. Knowledge of the mechanisms involved in carotenoid-based signaling is critical to understanding how these traits evolve. However, these mechanisms remain only partially understood. Carotenoids are usually viewed as scarce dietary antioxidants whose allocation to ornaments may trade off against health. This trade-off would ensure its reliability as a signal of individual quality. In the case of red (keto)carotenoids, the literature suggests that some species may show constraints in their uptake. Canthaxanthin is one of the most common ketocarotenoids in red ornaments of animals. It is often commercially used as a dietary supplement to obtain redder birds (e.g. poultry). We increased the dietary canthaxanthin levels in captive red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa). This species shows red non-feathered parts mostly pigmented by another common ketocarotenoid: astaxanthin. We studied the impact on the uptake of carotenoids and vitamins and, finally, on coloration. We also tested the potential protective effect of canthaxanthin when exposing birds to a free radical generator (diquat). Canthaxanthin did not apparently protect birds from oxidative stress, but interfered with the absorption of yellow carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin). Zeaxanthin is a precursor of astaxanthin in enzymatic pathways, and their levels in tissues and eggs were lower in canthaxanthin-supplied birds. This led to lower astaxanthin levels in ornaments and paler coloration. As far as we know, this is the first report of a carotenoid supplementation decreasing animal coloration. The results have implications for understanding carotenoid-based signaling evolution, but also for improving husbandry/experimental procedures.

Black soldier fly as dietary protein source for broiler quails: meat proximate composition, fatty acid and amino acid profile, oxidative status and sensory traits.

In the perspective of improving the sustainability of meat production, insects have been rapidly emerging as innovative feed ingredient for some livestock species, including poultry. However, at present, there is still limited knowledge regarding the quality and sensory traits of the derived meat. Therefore, the present study tested the effect of a partial substitution of soya bean meal and oil with defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal (H) in the diet for growing broiler quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) on meat proximate composition, cholesterol, amino acid and mineral contents, fatty acid profile, oxidative status and sensory characteristics. To this purpose, three dietary treatments were designed: a control diet (C) and two diets (H1 and H2) corresponding to 10% and 15% H inclusion levels, respectively, were fed to growing quails from 10 to 28 days of age. At 28 days of age, quails were slaughtered and breast meat was used for meat quality evaluations. Meat proximate composition, cholesterol content and oxidative status remained unaffected by H supplementation as well as its sensory characteristics and off-flavours perception. Differently, with increasing the dietary H inclusion, the total saturated fatty acid and total monounsaturated fatty acid proportions raised to the detriment of the polyunsaturated fatty acid fraction thus lowering the healthiness of the breast meat. The H2 diet increased the contents of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, alanine, serine, tyrosine and threonine thus further enhancing the biological value of the meat protein. As a direct result of the dietary content of Ca and P, the meat of quails fed with the highest H level, displayed the highest Ca and the lowest P values. Therefore, meat quality evaluations confirmed H to be a promising insect protein source for quails. The only potential drawback from feeding H to broiler quails regarded the fatty acid profile of the meat, therefore requiring further research efforts to understand to what extent the fatty acid profile of H can be improved.

Testicular atrophy and reproductive quiescence in photorefractory and scotosensitive quail: Involvement of hypothalamic deep brain photoreceptors and GnRH-GnIH system.

Birds time their daily and seasonal activities in synchronization with circadian and annual periodicities in the environment, which is mainly provided by changes in photoperiod/day length conditions. Photoperiod appears to act at the level of eye, pineal and encephalic/deep brain photoperception and thus entrain the hypothalamic clock as well as reproductive circuitry in different avian species. In this article our focus of study is to elucidate out the underlying molecular mechanism of modulation of the hypothalamic reproductive circuitry following the photoperception through the hypothalamic photoreceptor cells and the subsequent alteration in the reproductive responses in quail, kept under different simulated photoperiodic conditions. Present study investigated the different simulated photoperiodic conditions induced hypothalamic DBP-GnRH-GnIH system mediated translation of photoperiodic information and subsequent exhibition of differential photosexual responses (scoto-/photo-sensitivity and refractoriness) in Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica. Paired testes weight and paired testicular volume increased 15.9 and 22.6-fold respectively in scotorefractory quail compare to that of scotosensitive phase and 12.8 and 24.3-fold in photosensitive quail compare to that of photorefractory phase. The pineal/eye melatonin (through melatonin receptor subtype Mel1cR) and hypothalamic deep brain photoreceptor (DBPs) cells directly modulate the hypothalamic GnRH-I/II and GnIH system and thus exhibit testicular stimulation or regression in response to different photoperiodic conditions (PS, PR, SS and SR). The hypothalamic alteration of DBP(s) and GnRH-GnIH system thus may induce the testicular stimulation in PS and SR quail and testicular regression in SS and PR quail.

Reproductive performance of breeder quails fed diets supplemented with L-cysteine-coated iron oxide nanoparticles.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of L-cysteine-coated iron oxide nanoparticles on reproductive performance in breeder quails. The five treatment diets consisted of (i) negative control diet not supplemented with iron, (ii) positive control diet supplemented with 60 mg/kg of Fe3 O4 and (iii) experimental diets supplemented with 0.6, 6 and 60 mg/kg of L-cysteine-coated iron oxide nanoparticles. A total of 100 seven-day-old quail chicks were weighed and randomly placed to five groups of five replicate cages. Four quails (one male and three females) were raised in each cage (50 × 15 × 17 cm). Egg production, feed consumption and egg weight were recorded daily and calculated on a hen per day basis. Egg components, fertility, hatchability and day-old chicks hatched from their eggs were measured at the end of the experiment. The percentage of egg production and egg mass of the 6 mg/kg Fe3 O4 -Cys NPs group were significantly higher than those of the control groups. Throughout the experimental period, the highest weekly egg weight was recorded for the 60 mg/kg Fe3 O4 -Cys NPs group. Fertility was improved by diet supplemented with iron, both FeSO4 and Fe3 O4 -Cys NPs. The breeder fed Fe3 O4 -Cys NPs had the highest day-old chicks weight. The results of this study showed that Fe3 O4 nanoparticles that were coated by L-cysteine could improve availability and utilization of iron in diet. Finally, it was proposed that Fe3 O4 -Cys NPs could be used as feed additives in quails.

P and Ca requirements for Japanese quail.

Four experiments were conducted to estimate the phosphorus and calcium requirements for weight maintenance and weight gain in Japanese quails during their growth phase from 16 to 36 days. Japanese quails aged 16 days were used for estimating the phosphorous and calcium requirements for weight maintenance or weight gain, with these quails composing each reference slaughter group and the others distributed in a completely randomized design, housed in cages of galvanized wire (33 × 33 × 16 cm) that were stored in acclimatized chambers with specific environmental temperatures. The light programme used during the 20-day experimental period was 24 h of artificial light. Analysis of the data showed that the prediction equations for estimating the phosphorus and calcium requirements for weight maintenance and weight gain of Japanese quails between 16 and 36 days of age were P (g/quail/day) = P0.75 *(9.3695 + 7.7397*T) + 9.70*WG, in which P is the phosphorus requirement, and Ca (g/quail/day) = P0.75 *(363.99 - 8.0262*T) + 28.15*WG, in which Ca is the calcium requirement, P is BW (kg), T is temperature (°C) and WG (g/quail/day).

Effects of dietary inclusion of lentil byproduct on performance and oxidative stability of eggs in laying quail.

One hundred and sixty-eight 11-week-old laying quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were fed one of the following three diets: (1) control: basal diet with no lentil (Lens culinaris L.) byproduct; (2) inclusion of 10% lentil byproduct; (3) inclusion of 20% lentil byproduct. In the recent years, colour sorting machines are used in order to separate red lentils according to their colours. The goal is to select the items which are discoloured, not as ripe as required, or still with hull even after dehulling of lentil seed. During the sorting, a new byproduct called "sorting byproduct" leftover is obtained. The byproduct is cleaner and is of a higher quality than other lentil byproducts. This experiment was conducted to study the effects of the inclusion of different levels of lentil byproduct on laying quail performance. The experimental treatment included 10% or 20% lentil byproduct in the diet, and this was fed to quails aged between 11 and 22 weeks. The inclusion of 10% and 20% levels of lentil byproduct in the diet significantly increased egg production, but feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not significantly affected. Egg weight decreased significantly following the inclusion of 20% lentil byproduct. The inclusion of lentil byproduct in the diet increased the deposition of yellow yolk pigments and decreased malonaldehyde formation in the yolk.

Effect of dietary supplementation of essential oils mixture on performance, eggshell quality, hatchability, and mineral excretion in quail breeders.

The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of six different levels (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg) of phytogenic feed additive containing a mixture essential oils from thyme, black cumin, fennel, anise and rosemary on performance, eggshell quality, reproductive traits, and mineral excretion in quail breeders. In this trial, a total of 60 male and 120 female quails, 91 days old, were randomly distributed in six experimental groups. During the 60-day experiment period, birds were fed with six treatment diets. Performances, eggshell qualities, hatchability, and mineral excretion data were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Results showed that the different dietary levels of essential oil mixture had no significant effect on performance parameters, damaged eggs, eggshell weight, fertility, hatchability of fertile eggs, hatchability of set eggs, and lead and boron excretion. On the other hand, 50 mg/kg supplementation of essential oil mixture (EOM) significantly improved egg-breaking strength and eggshell thickness, and ash, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and cadmium excretion was significantly depressed in quail breeders supplemented with the two higher doses (400 or 600 mg/kg) of EOM. These results concluded that supplementing diets with EOM improved egg-breaking strength and decreased excretion of minerals in breeder quails.

Effects of herbal essential oil mixture as a dietary supplement on egg production in quail.

One hundred and eighty 7-week-old laying quail were fed various diets over a 12-week period. The diets included a control diet (without essential oil mixture (EOM) or antibiotics (ANTs)), a basal diet including EOM (24 mg/kg feed), and a basal diet including an ANT (avilamycin, 10 mg/kg feed). Each treatment comprised 4 replications with 4 cages (15 quail per cage), amounting to 60 quail per treatment group. Diets (in mash form) and water were provided for ad libitum consumption. EOM consisted of 6 different essential oils derived from the following herbs: oregano (Origanum sp.), laurel leaf (Laurus nobilis L.), sage leaf (Salvia triloba L.), myrtle leaf (Myrtus communis), fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare), and citrus peel (Citrus sp.). In comparison with the control diet, adding supplements such as EOM and ANTs to the basal diet increased egg production in quail (P < 0.001). However, egg production was similar between EOM and ANT treatment groups. Moreover, there were no differences between the treatment groups with regard to egg weight. Feed intake was not affected by EOM or ANT supplementation, whereas feed conversion ratio was significantly improved by EOM and ANT supplementation. Thus, we concluded that EOM has beneficial effects as a dietary supplement on egg production and feed conversion ratio.

Effects of methionine supplementation on the redox state of acute heat stress-exposed quails.

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the possible effects of heat stress (HS) on H2O2 production and to evaluate whether methionine supplementation (MS) could mitigate the deleterious effects on cell metabolism and the redox state induced by oxidative stress. Meat quails (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) were fed a diet that either met the nutritional demands for methionine or did not meet this demand (methionine deficient [MD] diet) for 7 d. The animals were either kept at a thermal comfort temperature (25°C) or exposed to HS (38°C for 24 h, starting on the sixth day). Heat stress induced decreased food intake (P = 0.0140), decreased daily weight gain (P < 0.0001), and increased water intake (P = 0.0211). A higher rate of H2O2 production was observed in HS animals (0.0802 vs. 0.0692 nmol of reactive oxygen species [ROS] produced per minute per milligram of protein; P = 0.0042) and in animals fed with the MD diet (0.0808 vs. 0.0686 nmol of ROS produced per minute per milligram of protein; P = 0.0020). We observed effects of the interaction between diet and the environment on the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GP-x) and catalase (P = 0.0392 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Heat stress induced higher levels of GP-x activity in animals on the MS diet and higher catalase activity in animals on the MD diet. Glutathione (GSH) levels were higher in animals on the MS diet (P = 0.0273) and in animals that were kept in thermal comfort (P = 0.0018). The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances level was higher in HS animals fed with the MD diet (P = 0.0386). Significant effects of the interaction between supplementation and environment were observed on uric acid concentration levels, which were higher in HS animals fed the MS diet (P = 0.008), and on creatine kinase activity levels, which were lower in HS animals fed the MD diet (1,620.33 units/L; P = 0.0442). Our results suggest that under HS conditions, in which H2O2 production is increased, MS was able to mitigate ROS-induced damage, possibly by increasing the activities of antioxidant elements such as GSH, GPx activity, and uric acid concentration, which were present in higher levels in animals that were subjected to HS and fed the MS diet.

Exposure to maternal voice in preterm infants: a review.

The mother's voice, along with other developmentally appropriate sensory events (ie, touch, light, smells), stimulates maturation of the sensory systems and helps shape normal fetal development. While vast changes in the neonatal intensive care unit have occurred over the last 2 decades, little research has addressed the loss of exposure to maternal voice for the preterm infant. To address this gap, we compared studies that directly investigated effects of exposure to maternal voice on preterm infants. Studies reviewed were conducted between 1972 and 2007. All presented recordings of maternal voice at sound levels above current recommendations, and few of the findings reached statistical significance. Some potentially positive developmental effects were indicated. Future study of the effects of exposure to maternal voice on preterm infants using recommended sound levels is needed.

Sex-dependent species discrimination in auditory forebrain of naturally hybridizing birds.

Pairs of individuals breed together only if they recognize each other as the same species, but the process of recognizing conspecifics can depend on flexible criteria even when species-specific signals are innate and fixed. This study examines species recognition in naturally hybridizing sister species, California and Gambel's quail (Callipepla californica and Callipepla gambelii), that have vocalizations which are not learned. Specifically, this study tests whether being raised in a vocalizing mixed-species cohort affects neural activity in the adult auditory forebrain in response to heterospecific and conspecific calls. After hatching, quail chicks were raised either with their own kind or with both species. Once reaching reproductive condition, each adult was played a recording that was one of three types: Gambel's quail opposite-sex contact calls; California quail opposite-sex contact calls; or synthetic tones. Brains were collected following playback and assessed for neuronal activity by quantifying expression of the protein of the immediate early gene, ZENK, in two brain regions, the caudomedial nidopallium (NCM) and the caudomedial mesopallium (CMM). ZENK levels were greater in NCM of males than females, but female NCM cells responded differentially to conspecific compared to heterospecific calls. Namely, females had more immuno-positive NCM cells when they heard conspecific calls rather than heterospecific male calls. Early experience with heterospecific broodmates did not alter neural responses in the NCM or CMM to heterospecific vocalizations. This study suggests that the NCM plays a role in species discrimination but that rearing condition does not alter the response in these non-vocal-learning species.

Zinc in a combination with magnesium helps reducing negative effects of heat stress in quails.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether zinc (Zn) along with magnesium (Mg) is effective in alleviating the negative effects of heat stress in Japanese quails. One hundred and twenty 10-day-old healthy Japanese quails were randomly assigned to four treatment groups, three replicates of ten birds each. The birds were fed either a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with either 30 mg of Zn/kg of diet, 600 mg of Mg/kg of diet, or 30 mg of Zn + 600 mg of Mg/kg of diet. The birds were kept under a high temperature (35 degrees C) for 8 h/day. Feed consumption was greatest with the combination of Zn and Mg supplementation (P < 0.01). Hot and chilled dressing percentages were greater (P < 0.05) with Zn- and Mg-supplemented diets. Concentrations of plasma malondialdehyde were lower (P < 0.01) with both Zn and Mg supplementations. Mg concentrations in the serum remained similar with either Zn or Mg supplements in the diet (P > 0.05). Serum glucose concentrations were lowest in birds fed the basal diet. Supplementing a combination of Zn and Mg may offer a potential protective management practice in preventing heat stress-related depression in performance of quails.

The effect of soy isoflavones on egg quality and bone mineralisation during the late laying period of quail.

1. Soy isoflavones play a role in calcium and bone metabolism. Poor egg quality, skeletal abnormalities and architectural deterioration of bone tissue are common problems under hot climate conditions and with increased age in poultry. 2. In this study, we investigated the effects of soy isoflavone supplementation on egg production, egg quality, bone mineral density (BMD), levels of osteocalcin (OC), vitamin D, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) during the late laying period. 3. The birds (n = 180; 28 weeks old) were randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups consisting of 6 replicates of 5 birds each in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments (temperatures, soy isoflavone concentration). Birds were kept in wire cages in a temperature-controlled room at either 22 degrees C (thermo-neutral, TN) or 34 degrees C (heat stress, HS) for 8 h/d (09:00 to 17:00 h; until the end of the study) and fed either on a basal (control) diet or on the basal diet supplemented with either 400 or 800 mg of soy isoflavones/kg of diet. 4. Heat exposure reduced feed intake, egg production, egg quality, BMD, OC, vitamin D, Ca, P and ALP when the basal diet was given. Feed intake, egg production and egg weight were not affected, while eggshell thickness and eggshell weight increased in soy isoflavone-supplemented quails reared under TN conditions. However, feed intake, egg production, egg weight, eggshell thickness, eggshell weight and Haugh units were positively influenced by soy isoflavone supplementation in HS groups for quail during the late laying period. Bone mineral density, serum OC, vitamin D, Ca, P levels and ALP activity were significantly improved by soy isoflavone supplementation in both the TN and HS groups in quail during the late laying period. 5. Soy isoflavone supplementation of basal diet significantly improved egg quality and bone mineralisation in quail during the late laying period.

Emotional reactivity modulates autonomic responses to an acoustic challenge in quail.

Emotional reactivity modulates autonomic responses to an acoustic challenge in quail. Physio Behav 00(0) 000-000, 2006. This study investigated the relationship between emotional reactivity and behavioral and autonomic responses to an acoustic stimulus in quail. It was hypothesized that birds with high emotional reactivity would have higher motor inhibition combined with higher sympathetic activation than birds with low emotional reactivity. Two experiments were performed. The first looked for correlations between emotional reactivity, evaluated by a tonic immobility test, and motor and Heart Rate Variability in relation to an acoustic stimulus. The second experiment compared the motor and autonomic responses to the acoustic stimulus of quail selected on either long (LTI) or short (STI) duration of tonic immobility. The first experiment showed that the acoustic stimulation induced motor inhibition and cardiac activation. Correlations were found between tonic immobility duration and both autonomic activity before stimulation and sympathovagal balance after stimulation. In the second experiment, LTI quail showed strong sympathetic activation, whereas STI quail showed parasympathetic and sympathetic activation. The activation of the parasympathetic system induced by the noise in STI quail can be explained by the predominance of this system at rest in this line. In conclusion, both the basal autonomic activity and the autonomic responses differed according to the emotional reactivity, and changes in autonomic activity appear to be related to the genetic selection process.