Laying date, incubation and egg breakage as determinants of bacterial load on bird eggshells: experimental evidence.

Exploring factors guiding interactions of bacterial communities with animals has become of primary importance for ecologists and evolutionary biologists during the last years because of their likely central role in the evolution of animal life history traits. We explored the association between laying date and eggshell bacterial load (mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococci, and Enterococci) in natural and artificial magpie (Pica pica) nests containing fresh commercial quail (Coturnix coturnix) eggs. We manipulated hygiene conditions by spilling egg contents on magpie and artificial nests and explored experimental effects during the breeding season. Egg breakage is a common outcome of brood parasitism by great spotted cuckoos (Clamator glandarius) on the nests of magpie, one of its main hosts. We found that the treatment increased eggshell bacterial load in artificial nests, but not in magpie nests with incubating females, which suggests that parental activity prevents the proliferation of bacteria on the eggshells in relation to egg breakage. Moreover, laying date was positively related to eggshell bacterial load in active magpie nests, but negatively in artificial nests. The results suggest that variation in parental characteristics of magpies rather than climatic variation during the breeding season explained the detected positive association. Because the eggshell bacterial load is a proxy of hatching success, the detected positive association between eggshell bacterial loads and laying date in natural, but not in artificial nests, suggests that the generalized negative association between laying date and avian breeding success can be, at least partially, explained by differential bacterial effects.

Molecular prevalence, phylogeny and hematological impact of Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium spp. in common quails from Punjab, Pakistan.

This study investigates the molecular prevalence and phylogenetic characteristics of two prominent blood-borne pathogens, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and Plasmodium spp., in common quails (Coturnix coturnix) sampled from both wild (N = 236) and farmed (N = 197) populations across four districts (Layyah, Dera Ghazi Khan, Lahore, and Multan) in Punjab, Pakistan, during the hunting seasons from 2021 to 2023. Additionally, the impact of these pathogens on the complete blood count (CBC) of the hosts is examined. Out of 433 quails tested, 25 (5.8%) exhibited amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) gene for T. gondii, while 15 (3.5%) showed amplification of the Cytochrome b gene for Plasmodium spp. A risk factor analysis indicated that the prevalence of both pathogens was not confined to specific sampling sites or bird sexes (P > 0.05). District-wise analysis highlighted that hens were more susceptible to both T. gondii and Plasmodium spp. infections than cocks. Wild quails exhibited a higher susceptibility to T. gondii compared to farmed birds. Significant CBC variations were recorded in infected birds as compared to uninfected ones. BLAST analysis of generated sequences has confirmed the identity of recovered PCR amplicons as T. gondii and Plasmodium relictum. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Pakistani isolates clustered with those reported from various countries globally. This study provides the first documentation of T. gondii and Plasmodium sp. infections in Pakistani quails, underscoring the need for detailed investigations across different regions to enhance our understanding of infection rates and the zoonotic potential of these parasites.

Efficacy of immunization compared to an anticoccidial drug combination in the management of challenged coccidiosis in Japanese quail.

This study was carried out to compare the efficacy of immunization, by a low-dose of live sporulated oocysts of different Eimeria species separately, with the efficacy of amprolium plus sulphaquinoxaline in the management of challenged coccidiosis in Japanese quail. Dropping samples were collected and sent to the laboratory for isolation and identification of Eimeria species. Three Eimeria species were isolated and identified as E. bateri, E. uzura, and E. tsunodai. Single oocyst isolation and propagation were done successfully for each species. For the experimental trial, Japanese quails were divided into 11 groups of thirty birds each and given different treatments. The assessment of each treatment relied on clinical signs, mortality, lesion score, oocyst output, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and hematological parameters. The results revealed that immunization, with any isolated species, gave the best results regarding all tested parameters. Thus, we concluded that immunization by a low-dose of live sporulated oocysts was better compared to amprolium plus sulphaquinoxaline in the management of coccidiosis in Japanese quail.

Light microscopic study on Eimeria species infecting Japanese quails reared in Saudi Arabian farms.

Japanese quails Coturnix coturnix japonica reared in economic farms were individually investigated for coccidian infections. The results indicated the absence of infections in birds younger than 1 month. An Eimeria infection rate of up to 80% was detected in birds 7-9 weeks old with a general infection rate of 29%. The infection rate decreased to 21.42% in birds older than 10 weeks. Morphometric characteristics of freshly shed, unsporulated oocysts were taken. These oocysts appeared pale yellow in color, were oval to subspherical in shape being limited by a bilayered oocyst wall of 1.2 microm. The unsporulated oocysts measured 17.73 +/- 12.92 x 12.79 +/- 1.69 microm (mean of 100) and possessed a polar granule, a micropyle and an oocyst residuum. The sporulation took 72 h and resulted in the formation of four elongated sporocysts containing two sporozoites, in addition to a stieda body and a sporocyst residuum. The life cycle of this Eimeria species was followed in experimentally infected quails. Three asexual generations (at 60, 78, and 96 h p.i.) were detected in the epithelium of the small intestine before the sexual cycle started at 84 h p.i. The prepatent period was 5 days, while the patent period covered 6-7 days. Besides this well-defined species, another Eimeria species occurred, the oocysts of which were excreted in low numbers and were characterized by the absence of a micropyle and an oocyst residuum. These oocysts measured 15.73 +/- 2.22 x 14.18 +/- 1.89 microm (mean of 100) and sporulated already within 60 h.

Coccidia of Japanese Quail: From Identification, Prevalence, Infection, and Immunization.

A systematic study was undertaken to identify the species, characterize the pathogenicity, and assess the immunization of Eimeria bateri in Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica). In total, 107 Japanese quail farms were examined. The samples were processed and oocyst shape indices of sporulated oocysts were determined. Out of 107 examined farms, 34 (31.78%) farms were positive. Four Eimeria spp. were morphologically identified. For characterization of the pathogenicity, Japanese quail were orally inoculated with various doses of sporulated oocysts of Eimeria bateri. Weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality, severity of diarrhea, and intestinal lesion scores were examined. The birds inoculated with high doses displayed significantly lower weight gain and poorer FCR, increased mortality, and more intestinal and fecal lesions scores. To quantify the immunization of Japanese quail against coccidiosis, 2-day-old quail were orally inoculated with either 100 or 1,000 sporulated oocysts of E. bateri. At 30 days of age, the immunized and non-immunized challenged birds were orally inoculated with 1 × 105 sporulated oocysts of E. bateri. After challenge, birds immunized with 100 or 1,000 oocysts had better weight gain, FCR, minimal diarrhea, fewer intestinal lesions, and lesser oocyst production compared to non-immunized challenged birds. We concluded that vaccination is a viable method for controlling coccidiosis in Japanese quail.

Experimental Toxoplasmosis in Japanese Quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

OBJECTIVE: In this study, forming of experimental toxoplasmosis in quails; clinical, pathological, and serological determination of tissue lesions and bioassay techniques, which were aimed to compare them and determine pathogenesis. METHODS: A total of 120 one-year-old female quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were divided into oral infection, parenteral infection, and control groups. The oral group was infected with 0.5 ml inoculum suspension containing 106 tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii, whereas the control group was administered 0.5 ml of saline. The parenteral group was further divided into the following four subgroups: intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intravenous, and cloacal. The quails of the parenteral group were also divided into two groups and one by control group within itself for the 105 and 104 doses of the tachyzoite inoculums. RESULTS: Because of acute toxoplasmosis, death occurred in a quail that as intramuscularly infected with 105 tachyzoites; the quail exhibited neurological clinical symptoms such as torticollis, ataxia, and tremor. In histopathologic examination, T. gondii tissue cysts were detected in infected quails that were intramuscularly infected with 105 tachyzoites. Mouse trials were conducted using tissues of seropositive quails and isolated from peritoneal fluids infected mice. By Sabin-Feldman dye test and indirect hemagglutination test, seropositivity was observed in quails infected with 105 and 104 tachyzoites. CONCLUSION: Similar studies and subclinical cases, which may overlooked was concluded for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis with useful bioassay applications and serological tests.

Biology and pathology of caecal nematode Subulura brumpti in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

The occurrence of caecal nematode, Subulura brumpti has become more common in quails being maintained in commercial farms in Tamil Nadu, India. Two trials were carried out to study the biology and pathology of S. brumpti in quails. In the first trial, eight grower quails were divided into two groups (T1 and T2) comprising of four birds each. The birds belonged to the group T1 was infected with 20 cysts collected from beetle and birds of T2 group were kept as control. The beetle was identified as Tenebrionid species. Prevalence of S. brumpti in beetle was 89 per cent and intensity ranged from 1-27 cysts. The eggs of S. brumpti were observed in droppings on 30 - 32 DPI. In the second trial, 16 birds were divided to four groups viz., T1, T2, T3 and T4. The birds of T1, T2, and T3 were infected by gelatin capsule method. All the birds were sacrificed on 30 DPI. The caeca from infected group did not show any gross and histopathological changes.

Experimental infection of mice with Toxocara canis larvae obtained from Japanese quails.

The migration and distribution of Toxocara canis larvae in the tissues of Japanese quails, infected orally with 5 x 10(3) infective eggs, were studied, as well as the re-infectivity of these larvae in mice, inoculated with 50 larvae obtained from the liver of these quails. Post-infection, the highest concentrations of larvae were found to be present in the liver of quails while only a few migrated to other tissues like lungs, heart, muscle and brain. The migration and distribution of the larvae in the tissues of mice were studied by necropsy on days 6 and 12 post-infection. On both days the highest number of larvae, 11 and 10, were recovered from the carcase followed by six and seven from the leg muscles and four and eight from the brain, respectively. A few larvae were recovered from the liver, lungs and viscera. This implies that the larvae had a special affinity for the muscle and brain tissue of mice, unlike in the quails. The role of these larvae in relation to paratenism is discussed.

Experimental toxoplasmosis in Japanese quail.

Twenty-four 5-month-old battery-hatched Japanese quail were inoculated orally with 10(5) (ME 49 strain, group A, 6 birds), 10(3) (ME 49 strain, group B, 6 birds), 10(5) (GT-1 strain, group C, 6 birds), and 10(3) (GT-1 strain, group D, 6 birds) Toxoplasma gondii oocysts. All birds in group C died or were euthanized within 8 days after inoculation (DAI). Five of the 6 birds in group D died or were euthanized 8, 9, 15, 19, and 23 DAI. One of the 6 quail in group A died 9 DAI, and 1 of the 6 birds in group D died 16 DAI. The 11 quail (1 from group D and 10 from groups A and B) were euthanized 63 DAI; T. gondii was isolated by bioassays in mice from the brains of 10, hearts of 10, and skeletal muscles of all 11 quail. Quail that survived marked small intestinal and splenic toxoplasmosis lived long enough to develop severe protozoal pneumonia, myocarditis, or meningoencephalitis. The quail that survived only to be examined at 63 DAI had moderate multifocal nonpurulent encephalitis and myositis and had a hypertrophic spleen that contained hemosiderin-laden macrophages. Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were found in the sera of all quail examined 63 DAI. Antibody titers to T. gondii in the modified agglutination test were higher than in the indirect hemagglutination and latex agglutination tests. Antibodies were not detected in quail sera examined by the Sabin-Feldman dye test.

Experimental infection of Japanese quail with Toxocara canis larvae through earthworms.

The migration and distribution of Toxocara canis larvae in the tissues of earthworms exposed to 5 x 10(5) infective eggs in soil, as well as the reinfectivity of the larvae in Japanese quail fed with three earthworms, were studied. The average number of larvae recovered from an earthworm gradually declined from 9 +/- 3.21 to 4.5 +/- 2.00 at 4-16 days. No larvae were recovered at Day 20. When compared between three portions of the earthworms' body, the middle part showed the greatest recovery in comparison with the anterior and posterior parts. At necropsy, the average larval burden of quail at 15 days post-infection was 6 +/- 3.60 in the liver and no larvae were recovered from other tissues. The role of the earthworm in relation to paratenism is discussed.

Infection of Japanese quail with Toxocara canis larvae and establishment of patent infection in pups.

Migration and distribution of Toxocara canis larvae in the tissues of Japanese quail, infected orally with 5 X 10(3) infective eggs, and the establishment of patent infection from the quails to the definitive host, were studied. Larval yield at necropsy from various tissues and organs of quail varied from 4.72 to 7.54% of the infective eggs inoculated within the period 1-60 days post-infection (PI). The total number of larvae recovered on different days showed a gradual increase. The percent inoculum recovered at necropsy was highest on Day 60. Most of the larvae were found in the liver throughout the period and only a few migrated to other tissues, such as lung, heart, muscle and brain. The establishment of patent infections in the definitive host was studied by feeding the 15-day infected livers of Japanese quail (400 larvae) to Toxocara-free pups. Eggs first appeared in the faeces 38 days post-infection, the mean worm burden at necropsy was 87 and the percentage of infection established was 21.75%. Thus the role of Japanese quail as a paratenic host of T. canis is established.

Interaction between Eimeria uzura infection and aflatoxicosis in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

The clinical signs and gross lesions caused by Eimeria uzura (10(5) oocysts) in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) exhibited little or no influence in the face of intercurrent dietary aflatoxicosis (1 p.p.m. of aflatoxin B1 from Day 0 to 55). Similarly, no significant differences in the mucosal morphology of the intestine were evident histologically between the two groups of Japanese quail. The nervous signs of ataxia, leg weakness, incoordination of movement, torticollis and terminal opisthotonos were toxin-induced manifestations. In the aflatoxic quail, hypoplastic changes and selective depletion of lymphocytes were more prominent in the bursa of fabricius. Increased relative mean weights of liver, kidney, spleen, crop, proventriculus and gizzard were observed in birds due to aflatoxin sensitivity. The combination of E. uzura infection and aflatoxicosis in Japanese quail may cause significant weight loss, and increased oocyst production and reproductive potential.

Effect of coccidiosis on reproductive maturation of male Japanese quail.

The effects of coccidiosis on reproductive development of male Japanese quail were examined. Male Japanese quail were exposed to high (5 x 10(5) sporulated oocysts/quail) or low (5 x 10(3) sporulated oocysts/quail) doses of Eimeria uzura at 16 or 30 days of age and sampled at 37 days. Quail given high doses of coccidia had reduced testes weight and lowered circulating concentrations of androgen compared with control males. Low doses of coccidia did not affect testes weight but did result in elevated plasma androgen levels. There were no differences in average testes weights by 51 days; however, plasma androgen was still reduced in most groups. To study the effects of coccidiosis on egg production, males exposed to high doses of coccidia at 16 (16H) or 30 (30H) days of age were mated with control females, and control males were mated with control or 16H females. The onset of laying was delayed for 5 days in the control male: 16H female group. During the first week of production, eggs from females bred to 30H males had lower fertility and hatchability than those bred to control or 16H males. By the third week of production, levels of fertility were similar. Apparently, exposure of quails to coccidiosis before sexual maturation might result in long-term effects on later reproductive capability.

Evaluation of interspecific hybrids of the chicken, guinea fowl, and Japanese quail for innate resistance to coccidia.

Experimental chicken/guinea fowl hybrids, guinea fowl, and chickens were orally inoculated with Eimeria acervulina or E. tenella, which are specific for chickens, or with E. grenieri, which is specific for guinea fowl. No intact oocysts were found in feces within 24 hr of inoculation, suggesting that excystation occurred in the normal and abnormal hosts. No oocysts were found in the feces of hybrids during a 9-day postinoculation period. The guinea fowl passed oocysts of guinea fowl coccidia (E. grenieri) but not those of chicken coccidia, and the chickens passed oocysts of chicken coccidia (E. acervulina and E. tenella) but not those of guinea fowl coccidia. Some asexual development (schizogony) occurred in hybrids inoculated with E. tenella, but sexual development (gametogony) did not. In contrast, quail/chicken hybrids became infected with oocysts of chicken coccidia (E. acervulina, E. tenella, and E. maxima) and quail coccidia (E. bateri) and passed a few oocysts during the normal patent period; control chickens and quails became heavily infected with oocysts of chicken and quail coccidia, respectively.

Cultivation of Eimeria tenella in Japanese quail embryos (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Complete development of Eimeria tenella in Japanese quail embryos was observed. Sporozoites were inoculated into the allantoic cavity of 7-day-old Japanese quail embryos (Coturnix coturnix japonica), after which the infected embryos were incubated at 41 C. In the chorioallantoic membrane mature first generation schizonts, mature second generation schizonts, and gametes were detected at 48 hr postinoculation of sporozoites (PI), 84 hr PI, and 126 hr PI, respectively. Mature gametes and zygotes were found at 132 hr PI, and oocysts were detected at 138 hr PI. Mortality of embryos increased with increment of inoculum size of sporozoites. LD50 was 1.7 x 10(2) sporozoites. Oocyst production was also dependent on inoculum size. Oocysts harvested from embryos sporulated. The oocysts were inoculated into 13-day-old chickens, and oocysts, capable of sporulating normally, were recovered from ceca 7 days after inoculation.

Infectivity of Toxocara canis larvae from Japanese quails in mice.

Two hundred Toxocara canis larvae derived from Japanese quail liver were given orally to each of 50 8-week-old ddY mice and parasitism of the larvae was examined during 6 hr and 120 days after inoculation. Although there were no clinical signs in infected mice, larvae were recovered from the liver (21.5 +/- 16.3 larvae), lung (5.1 +/- 6.0 larvae), kidney (0.7 +/- 1.1 larvae), small intestine (1.0 +/- 2.0 larvae), mesentery (1.6 +/- 3.1 larvae), and brain (7.8 +/- 6.8 larvae).

Nematodes of the genus Subulura (Subuluridae) parasitizing Coturnix (Galliformes).

Two nematode species of the genus Subulura, S. skrjabini and S. brumpti, have been recovered from Coturnix coturnix (a detailed redescription of the former is attached). The synonymy, geographic distribution and some morphological and metrical characters of these species are discussed. S. noctuae gallinae Semenov, 1926 and S. strongylina sensu López-Neyra (1945) are tentatively regarded as synonyms of S. differens (Sonsino, 1890).

Insects feeding on desert bighorn sheep, domestic rabbits, and Japanese quail in the Santa Rosa mountains of southern California.

Desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis cremnobates), a domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), and Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) were used as bait animals to collect blood-feeding flies in an area of active blue-tongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus transmission. Precipitin tests were used to confirm the blood source where feasible. Eight species of Culicoides, members of the Leptoconops kerteszi group, Simulium spp., Anopheles franciscanus, and Stomoxys calcitrans were collected from the bighorn sheep. Feeding on the bighorn sheep by Culicoides brookmani (n = 25), C. variipennis (n = 6), C. cacticola (n = 1), and Simulium spp. (n = 3) was confirmed by precipitin testing. Primary species attacking the rabbit were C. brookmani, C. variipennis, and the L. kerteszi group. The quail were attacked primarily by members of the C. copiosus group and the L. kerteszi group.

[Blastocystis fauna]. / Fauna Blastocystis.

On the area of former USSR and Russia 10 species of Blastocystis were described: Blastocystis lessonae from Rana lessonae, B. anatis from Anas platyrhynchos, B. anseri from Anser anser, B. galli from Gallus gallus, B. numidae from Numida meleagris, B. meleagridis from Meleagris gallopavo, B. equi from Equus coballus, B. suis from Sus scrofa, B. bovis from Bos taurus, B. ovis from Ovis aries.

Parasitic profiling of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) on two farms with conventional production system in the Amazon region / Perfil parasitário de codornas (Coturnix japonica) em duas granjas com sistema convencional de produção na Amazônia

The health monitoring and management systems of coturniculture can be deemed to be in a developmental phase when compared to the poultry industry. Studies regarding taxonomy and parasitic biology in quails (Coturnix japonica) has not been well conducted in Brazil. Most of the information is available from the autopsy case reports, in many ways the parasitic fauna of quails is still unknown. The aim of this study was to conduct a parasitological research in quails in order to contribute to ameliorate this situation. 31 quails, which were 12 months old, were used for the study. Their carcasses and viscera were sent to the Laboratory of Entomology and Tropical Diseases, INPA, Manaus/AM. The circulatory, nervous, respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems of these were studied separately. No blood parasites were found, however, nine species of endoparasites were registered which were distributed among the classes Cestoda, Nematoda and Protozoa. The helminths were distributed in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum and oviduct. The cecum was found to be the most parasitized organ and contained a wide range of parasites having three species of protozoa and three species of nematodes. Six morphotypes of Eutrichomastix globosus were recorded, and some morphotypes were hyperparasitized with sporangia Sphaerita sp. in the cytoplasm. A large number of parasites were recorded in this study, as well as the protozoan Blastocystis hominis was first being observed for quail.(AU)

A coturnicultura conta com um monitoramento sanitário e sistemas de manejo ainda em desenvolvimento quando comparado à avicultura industrial. Pesquisas de taxonomia e biologia parasitárias em codornas (Coturnix japonica) são pouco realizadas no Brasil, sendo a maioria das informações disponíveis referentes a relatos de caso em achados de necropsia, portanto, em muitos aspectos a fauna parasitária de codornas é ainda desconhecida. Este trabalho teve por objetivo realizar uma pesquisa parasitológica em codornas em fim de postura. Para pesquisa foram disponibilizadas 31 codornas com idades de 12 meses. As carcaças e suas vísceras foram encaminhadas ao Laboratório de Entomologia e Doenças Tropicais INPA, Manaus/AM. Foram estudados separadamente os sistemas circulatórios, nervoso, respiratório, digestivo e reprodutivo. Das 31 codornas examinadas nenhuma apresentou hemoparasitos, contudo, foram registradas nove espécies de endoparasitos distribuídas entre as classes Cestoda, Nematoda e protozoários. Os helmintos distribuíam-se pelo duodeno, jejuno, íleo, cecos e oviduto. O ceco foi o órgão mais parasitado e com maior diversidade de parasitas, sendo três espécies de protozoários e três de nematóides. Foram registrados seis morfotipos de Eutrichomastix globosus, sendo que, alguns morfótipos estavam hiperparasitados com esporângio Sphaerita sp. no citoplasma. Uma grande variedade de parasitos foi registrada nesta pesquisa, bem como, o protozoário Blastocystis hominis pela primeira vez sendo descrito para codornas.(AU)