Dietary ratio of linoleic to alpha-linolenic acid affects the reproductive performance of Japanese quail.

1. This study was conducted to assess the effects of different dietary omega 6:3 ratios fed to male and female Japanese quail breeders on incubation performance, chick quality and progeny performance.2. A completely randomised design was used, with five diets containing different ratios of vegetable oils rich in linoleic acid (LA from soybean oil) or α-linolenic acid (ALA from linseed oil) with LA/ALA ratios of 13.75:1, 10.69:1, 7.63:1, 4.57:1 and 1.48:1 with 12 cage replicates containing six birds each.3. There was a quadratic effect of the LA/ALA ratio on total hatchability (p < 0.011), fertile hatchability (p = 0.046) and total mortality (p = 0.046). There was no effect on fertility (p > 0.05). The LA/ALA ratios of 1.48 and 13.75 fed to both hens and cockerels or hens resulted in greater fertility, as measured by the number of days after copulation during which fertile eggs were laid and the number of points of hydrolysis on the perivitelline membrane. A decreasing linear effect (p < 0.0001) was observed on chick length and an increasing linear effect on body weight at 1 day of age. There were no effects on progeny performance.4. The LA/ALA ratio affected yolk mineral matter (p = 0.009), crude protein (p = 0.091), chick mineral matter (p < 0.038) and ether extract (p < 0.0001) contents. Maternal diet affected the fatty acid profile of egg yolk and chick liver, indicating that dietary contents were transferred to eggs and chicks.5. Fertile egg production increased with lower LA/ALA ratios. Therefore, linseed oil can be used together with soybean oil to formulate diets for female Japanese quail obtain LA/ALA ratios between 4:1 and 10:1.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Quail Yolk Oil via Upregulation of Superoxide Dismutase 1 and Catalase Genes and Downregulation of EIGER and Unpaired 2 Genes in a D. melanogaster Model.

Quail egg yolk oil (QEYO) has a rich history of medicinal use, showcasing heightened antioxidant and bioactive properties in our prior studies. This positions QEYO as a promising candidate for therapeutic and cosmetic applications. In this investigation, QEYO was extracted using ethanol/chloroform and 2-propanol/hexane solvents. GC-MS and FTIR analyses quantified 14 major bioactive compounds in the ethanol/chloroform fraction and 12 in the 2-propanol/hexane fraction. Toxicity evaluations in fruit flies, spanning acute, sub chronic, and chronic exposures, revealed no adverse effects. Negative geotaxis assays assessed locomotor activity, while biochemical assays using fly hemolymph gauged antioxidant responses. Real-time PCR revealed the relative expression levels of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory genes. FTIR spectra indicated diverse functional groups, and the GC-MS results associated bioactive compounds with the regulation of the anti-inflammatory genes EIGER and UPD2. While no significant change in SOD activities was noted, male flies treated with specific QEYO doses exhibited increased catalase activity and total antioxidant capacity, coupled with a significant decrease in their malondialdehyde levels. This study offers valuable insights into the bioactive compounds of QEYO and their potential regulatory roles in gene expression.

Liver and kidney damage in quail embryos hatched from eggs sprayed once with chlorpyrifos during artificial incubation.

Birds have enough conditions to be used as bioindicators for the presence of environmental contaminants. Notably, chlorpyrifos (CPF) remains extensively employed in Argentina, particularly in fruit plantations and livestock settings This study aimed to assess the potential impacts of CPF on common quail (Coturnix coturnix) embryos through external eggshell application during key embryonic stages (days 1, 4, and 14). Concentrations equivalent to those used in fruit applications, 5× and 10 × (38.4, 192, and 384 µg/egg), were employed. A 48% commercial formulation of CPF (Pirfos - Icona®) was utilized. An increase in embryonic deaths, as well as a statistical association between the degree of liver or kidney lesions and CPF concentrations was observed. The results suggest that CPF can induce embryotoxic effects with a single exposure to quail embryos and compromise the viability of the organisms. The study suggests a potential exposure risk for embryos through contact with the insecticide on the eggshell's exterior.

Nutritional plans and ambient temperature on the growth curves of Japanese quails / Planos nutricionais e temperatura ambiente nas curvas de crescimento de codornas japonesas

This study estimated the growth of body, carcass, primal cuts, edible offal, and feathers of Japanese quail reared in two thermal environments, receiving three nutritional plans, from one to 39 days of age. A total of 576 one-day-old female chicks (Coturnix japonica) with an average initial weight of 7.51±0.75g/bird were evaluated in a completely randomized design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement (three nutritional plans × two temperatures). The animals were housed in two climatic chambers, at 25 ºC and 35 ºC, using 12 replications with eight birds per experimental unit. Nutritional plans (NP) were as follows: NP1: one diet from 1-21days and another from 22-39 days; NP2: one diet from 1-14 days and another from 15-39 days; and NP3: a single diet from 1-39 days. The growth curves and growth rates of body, carcass, primal cuts, feathers, and edible offal were evaluated using the Gompertz mathematical model. Quail fed NP3 showed higher growth curves and rates for body, carcass, drumstick +thigh, and feather. There was an effect on maturity rate, which was lowest in quail housed at 35 ºC. Among the animals kept at 25 ºC, the group fed NP3 exhibited the highest growth rate and breast weight. The nutritional plan consisting of a single diet offered from 1 to 39 days, formulated based on the tables for Japanese and European quail, is the most suitable for estimating the growth curves (Gompertz model) of Japanese quail housed at 25 ºC or 35 ºC.

Objetivou-se estimar o crescimento corporal, carcaça, cortes nobres, vísceras comestíveis e penas de codornas japonesas criadas em dois ambientes térmicos e alimentadas com três planos nutricionais de um a 39 dias. Foram utilizadas 576 pintainhas (Coturnix japônica), fêmeas, com um dia de idade, com peso médio inicial 7,51 ± 0,75g/ave, distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 3 × 2 (três planos nutricionais x duas temperaturas), alojadas em duas câmaras climáticas de 25º e 35 ºC, com 12 repetições e oito aves por unidade experimental. Os planos nutricionais foram: plano nutricional um (PN1) - uma dieta de 1-21 dias e uma dieta de 22-39 dias; plano nutricional dois (PN2) - uma dieta de 1-14 dias e uma dieta de 15-39 dias; e plano nutricional três (PN3) - dieta única de 1-39 dias. Foram avaliadas as curvas e taxas de crescimento corporal, carcaça, cortes nobres, penas e vísceras comestíveis, através do modelo matemático de Gompertz. Codornas alimentadas com PN3 apresentaram maiores curvas e taxas de crescimento corporal, de carcaça, coxa + sobrecoxa e penas. Houve efeito para taxa de maturidade, sendo inferior para codornas alojadas em 35 ºC. Nas aves mantidas em 25 ºC, observou-se maior taxa de crescimento e peso de peito nas codornas alimentadas com PN3. O plano nutricional composto por uma única dieta ofertada durante o período de um a 39 dias, formulado com base nas recomendações das tabelas para codornas japonesas e europeias, é o mais indicado para estimar curvas de crescimento no modelo de Gompertz de codornas japonesas alojadas em 25 ºC ou 35 ºC.

Genetic variability and population structure of the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) in the northern limit of its distribution.

Restricted movement among populations decreases genetic variation, which may be the case for the Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae), a small game bird that rarely flies long distances. In the northern limit of its distribution, it inhabits oak-juniper-pine savannas of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Understanding genetic structure can provide information about the demographic history of populations that is also important for conservation and management. The objective of this study was to determine patterns of genetic variation in Montezuma quail populations using nine DNA microsatellite loci. We genotyped 119 individuals from four study populations: Arizona, Western New Mexico, Central New Mexico, and West Texas. Compared to other quail, heterozygosity was low (H¯0 = 0.22 ± 0.04) and there were fewer alleles per locus (A = 2.41 ± 0.27). The global population genetic differentiation index RST = 0.045 suggests little genetic structure, even though a Bayesian allocation analysis suggested three genetic clusters (K = 3). This analysis also suggested admixture between clusters. Nevertheless, an isolation-by-distance analysis indicates a strong correlation (r = 0.937) and moderate evidence (P = 0.032) of non-independence between geographical and genetic distances. Climate change projections indicate an increase in aridity for this region, especially in temperate ecosystems where the species occurs. In this scenario, corridors between the populations may disappear, thus causing their complete isolation.

Dietary high-protein distiller's dried grains with solubles can fully replace soybean meal in diets for meat quails without affecting growth performance.

1. The purpose of this study was to determine the metabolisable energy of high-protein distiller's dried grains with solubles (HP-DDGS) for meat quail (Coturnix coturnix coturnix; Experiment I) and evaluate the effects of dietary levels of HP-DDGS on animal performance, carcase characteristics, meat quality, and organ weights (Experiment II).2. In Experiment 1, 96 meat quail were distributed in a completely randomised design with two treatments (reference or test diet) and six replicates of eight birds. The experimental period consisted of 5 d adaptation, followed by 5 d total excreta collection. The experimental diets consisted of a reference (control) and a test diet formulated with 800 g/kg reference diet and 200 g/kg HP-DDGS.3. In Experiment 2, 612 meat quail were distributed in a completely randomised design fed one of six dietary levels of HP-DDGS (0, 85, 170, 255, 340, or 425 g/kg) as a replacement for soybean meal. At 42 d of age, birds were slaughtered and evaluated for carcase yield, organ weights, and meat quality.4. Apparent metabolisable energy values corrected for nitrogen retention of HP-DDGS were 12.5 and 12.3 MJ/kg for males and females, respectively.5. In the starter phase (1-21 d of age), increasing dietary HP-DDGS levels had a quadratic effect on body weight (BW) (P = 0.020) and body weight gain (BWG) (P = 0.019). The maximum BW and BWG values were estimated to be achieved with 296.0 and 296.2 g/kg dietary HP-DDGS, respectively. Overall (1-42 d of age), increasing dietary HP-DDGS levels in replacement of soybean meal did not affect animal performance, carcase yield, meat quality or organ weight in meat quail.6. It was concluded that dietary HP-DDGS can fully replace soybean meal in meat quail diets without affecting growth performance, carcase yield, meat quality or organ weight.

An assessment of responses to egg production and liver health of Japanese quails subjected to different levels of metabolizable energy.

OBJECTIVE: Current quail production is configured as an economic activity in scale. Advancements in quail nutrition have been limited to areas such as breeding and, automation of facilities and ambience. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance responses, liver and oviduct morphometry, and liver histology of Japanese laying quails subjected to different levels of nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (MEn). METHODS: A completely random design was used that consisted of nine levels of MEn, six replicates, and five hens per cage with a total of 270 quails. The experimental period lasted for 10 weeks. The variables of performance were subjected to analysis of variance and then regression analysis using the broken-line model. The morphometric and histological variables were subjected to multivariate exploratory techniques. RESULTS: The MEn levels influenced the responses to zootechnical performance. The brokenline model estimated the maximum responses for feed intake, egg production, egg weight, and egg mass as 3,040, 2,820, 1,802, and 2,960 kcal of MEn per kg of diet, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the occurrence of hepatic steatosis and increased levels of Kupffer cells were not related to MEn levels. CONCLUSION: The level of 2,960 kcal/kg of MEn meets performance variable requirements without compromising hepatic physiology.

Identification of reference genes for studies of quantitative gene expression in male and female quail tissues.

In industrial poultry, quail production has gained increasing prominence over the years. It is known that the intensification of genetic studies has contributed greatly to this growth, through techniques, such as analysis of gene expression by PCR, for example. This study aimed to evaluate stability and recommend reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR in different tissues from male and female broiler quails. The stability of 10 housekeeping genes (GAPDH, RPL5, MRPS27, MRPS30, TFRC, HMBS, EEF1, LDHA, B2M, and UBC) by means Bestkeeper, NormFinder, GeNorm softwares with ΔCq method. The tissues analyzed were: heart, thigh muscle, brain, and spleen, considering that they are tissues commonly used in nutrigenomic, immunological, and poultry performance research. As expected, the reference genes tested showed varying stability depending on the tissue evaluated. According to the present study, the most stable housekeeping genes were MRPS30, TFRC, and HMBS in heart; MRPS30, EEF1, and HMBS in thigh muscle; B2M, GAPDH, and UBC in brain; and EEF1, LDHA, and HMBS in spleen. Therefore, it is recommended to be used as reference genes for gene expression studies of male and female quails.

Thermal comfort thresholds for Japanese quails based on performance and egg quality.

Knowledge of the effects of thermal stress on Japanese quails helps support decision-making regarding the management of climate control systems. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and egg quality of Japanese quails subjected to different air temperatures (tair) and to propose thresholds for the temperature-humidity index (THI), the Black globe humidity index (BGHI), and enthalpy (H). Two experiments (21 days each) were conducted in four climate-controlled wind tunnels. In the first experiment, tair was 20, 22, 24, and 26 °C, and in the second, tair was 20, 28, 30, and 32 °C. The relative humidity (RH) and air velocity were 60% and 0.3 ms-1, respectively. To define the comfort thresholds, the productive performance of the birds, water intake, and egg quality were evaluated. No differences were observed (p > 0.05) for the performance-related variables, except for feed intake, which decreased (p < 0.05) as tair increased, and water intake, which increased (p < 0.5) by 15.9% starting at 28 °C. For experiments 1 and 2, with tair at 20 °C (tair,obs = 20.8 and 21.3 °C, respectively), there was evidence of cold stress. The shell thickness, Haugh unit, and internal quality unit were negatively influenced (p < 0.05) by tair starting at 28 °C. Japanese quails were able, within certain limits, to adapt to continuous thermal stress. The Japanese quails thermal comfort intervals recommended for THI, BGHI, and H are 68.4 to 76.2, 69.1 to 77.2, and 50.5 to 67.2 kJ kgdry air-1, respectively.

Characterization of quail egg powders obtained by liquid egg drying and foam-mat drying.

BACKGROUND: Quail eggs have nutritional, therapeutic, and functional potential but are still not widely consumed globally. Their availability in powder form can contribute to expanding their consumption worldwide. However, drying can significantly affect their properties. To the best of our knowledge, there is no study comparing the effect of drying methods on the rehydration capacity and functional properties of whole quail egg powder. In this context, this work aimed to obtain powdered quail eggs by convective oven drying and freeze drying of eggs in liquid and foam form, to evaluate the effect of each drying method on their physical, rehydration, and functional characteristics. RESULTS: The powder obtained by freeze-drying eggs in the liquid form (L-FD) showed the most desirable foaming capabilities; however, it produced less stable emulsions. The powder obtained by convective oven drying of eggs in liquid form (L-CONV) had the worst rehydration and foaming capabilities but produced firmer gels and had good emulsifying capacity. Finally, the powders obtained by foam-mat drying yielded very stable foams and emulsions. CONCLUSION: The methods for quail egg powder production that were evaluated performed well. The results point to the strong potential of quail egg powder as an ingredient. Liquid freeze-dried (L-FD) eggs stood out for their rehydration capacity. Each powder had different functional properties, so the choice of the best method depends on the intended application of the powder as specific characteristics and functional properties are suitable for preparing each food. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Adjusted Thr: Lys Ratio Improved the Performance and Efficiency of Japanese Quail

Two hundred and forty Japanese quail aged 125 days were randomly allocated to five treatment groups based on laying (%) and quail's weight (90.71 ± 1.8% egg/day × 100 and 178.05 ± 9.38 g, respectively), each of which included six replicates of eight quails. The diets were formulated based on corn, soybean meal, and industrial amino acids. An optimal diet achieves 100% of amino acids required by the quail requirements, except for threonine. Five treatments were made: 20% less amino acid; 10% less amino acid; optimal diet; 10% more amino acid; and 20% more amino acids than those in the optimal diet. The increase in amino acid levels in a fixed Lys: amino acid ratio led to histological alterations in the liver and uterine epithelium, reduction in blood lipid peroxidation, lower hepatic HSP70 gene expression, and the performance of laying Japanese quail. The optimal diet based on the NRC with an adjusted Thr: Lys 78 ratio (Lys 1.0%) improved the performance and efficiency of Japanese quail from 125 to 230 days of age.(AU)

Identification of Polymorphism in the MC1R Gene and Its Association with the Melanin Content in Feathers of Chinese Yellow Quails

MC1R plays a crucial role in controlling the type of melanin synthesized in the melanocytes, which greatly affects plumage color in birds. One g.16796362G/T SNP was found in the MC1R gene coding region, which caused a Met120Ile mutation in the amino acid sequence. The Met120Ile mutation was located in the third transmembrane domain of the MC1R protein and decreased protein stability. The g.16796362G/T locus achieved medium polymorphism and had significant association with feather melanin content in Chinese yellow quails. The contents of total melanin and pheomelanin with AA genotype were significant lower than those with AB or BB genotypes in skin tissues, while the expression levels of MC1R mRNA had no significant difference in feathers with different genotypes. This experiment indicated that the Met120Ile mutation could affect the function of the MC1R protein and change the biosynthesis of melanin in Chinese yellow quails.(AU)

Investigation of endocrine response of thyroid and intestinal and adipose tissues due to the addition of Moringa oleifera essential oil in diet for quails exposed to heat stress

In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of Moringa oleifera essential oil (MOEO) supplementation to rations of Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica ) grown under heat stress (HS) on some adipokine (visfatin, adiponectin, and chemerin), intestinal (citrulline), 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid-stimulation hormone (TSH) levels in the serum. For this purpose, 320 day-old male quail chicks were used. The study was conducted over 42 days, including a 7-d adaptation period and a 35-d experimental period. Eight trial groups were established, each including 10 quail: CT (control temperature, 25 ℃), MOEO 200, MOEO 400, MOEO 600, HSC (HS control), SMOEO 200, SMOEO 400, and SMOEO 600. Based on the results, a dose-dependent decrease was observed on days 21 and 42 in serum adiponectin and T3 in the stress and stress-free groups compared with the control group due to MOEO supplementation. The lowest decrease was observed in the MOEO 600 mg/kg dose group. In addition, an increase in stressed groups was observed when examining serum citrulline levels, while chemerin levels did not have a statistically significant effect. While the decrease in serum visfatin, T4, and TSH levels on the 21st day did not have a statistically significant effect, a significant effect was determined on the 42nd day. The addition of MOEO at 600 mg/kg to the ration may be beneficial in preventing intestinal damage and inflammation that may occur due to HS.

Energy values and metabolizability of lipid sources of plant and animal origin in the diet of Japanese quail

The objective of this study was to determine the energy values and metabolizability of different lipid sources in the diet of Japanese quail at the laying phase. The quail were distributed in a completely randomized design with ten replications of seven poultry per treatment, totaling six treatments: basal feed (control) and basal feed containing 10% soybean oil, corn oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, and poultry fat. The values of nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) and the metabolizability coefficient (MC%) were evaluated. No significant difference was found between the different lipid sources for AMEn (kcal/kg) and MC (%). The value of metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen for soybean oil was 8,790 kcal/kg; 8,773 kcal/kg for corn oil; 8,784 kcal/kg for canola oil; 8,788 kcal/kg for sunflower oil; and 8,681 kcal/kg for poultry fat in laying Japanese quail. The digestibility coefficients were 93.88% for soybean oil, 93.53% for corn oil, 93.32% for canola oil, 93.74% for sunflower oil, and 93.06% for poultry fat.

Determination of the Gastrointestinal Passage Rate Using Dexa Technology and Barium Sulfate As a Marker in Japanese Quails

The objective of this study was to characterize the dynamics of food passage in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of Japanese quail. A randomized design was used with four treatments and four experimental units with one bird each, nine of which were measured in time. The ingredients used were albumin, starch, cellulose, and soybean oil. Suspensions containing barium sulfate and saline were prepared, except for soybean oil. For each bird, 2.5 mL of the suspension was administered directly to the crop. Dual-energy absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to quantify the passage of food. The birds were sedated and maintained under inhalation anesthesia during the scan. Measurements were taken at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 h. The variables identified were passage time, first quality, and the average time of each variable. Based on these results, the ingredients may show differences in dynamic passing on the Japanese quail GIT. The duration of the first attempt was 32 min, ranging from 21 to 44 min. The average time value of food choice was close to 10.8 h and varied according to the ingredient from 8.45-12.16 h. Among the variables, soybean oil presented values ​​that denote a fast passage in the GIT, while albumin presented values ​​that denote a slower passage. The dynamics of food passage in the GIT of Japanese quails varies according to the chemical composition of the ingredients.(AU)

Orange Peel Oil Supplementation in Laying Quail Diet: Effects on Performance and Oxidative Stability of Egg Yolk

The present study aimed to investigate the potential utilization of orange peel essential oil (OPEO), as a natural feed additive in poultry nutrition. The impact of incorporating OPEO into the diets of laying quails was examined with respect to various performance criteria, including feed consumption and efficiency, as well as egg production, weight, and shelf life. A total of 120 female egg quails, aged 16 weeks, were allocated into three main groups, and fed with control rations supplemented with OPEO at levels of 0 mg/kg (control group), 200 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg. Throughout the study, egg production was monitored on a daily basis, feed consumption was recorded every two weeks, and egg weights were measured twice a week on consecutive days. Moreover, the levels of malondialdehyde, a lipid peroxidation marker, in the egg yolks were quantified. The results indicated that the inclusion of OPEO in quail rations did not exert a significant influence on feed consumption and efficiency. However, OPEO supplementation had a positive impact on egg production and weight, leading to substantial increases in both crucial performance parameters. Furthermore, the study elucidated a statistically significant impact of OPEO on the levels of malondialdehyde in the egg yolks. In summary, the incorporation of OPEO into quail diets showcased remarkable efficacy in significantly augmenting egg yield and weight, while leaving feed consumption unaffected. These results highlight the potential of utilizing OPEO as a natural feed additive to improve the performance and egg quality of laying quails in commercial production systems.(AU)

Effects of Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) Essential Oil on Fattening Performance, Meat Quality, Serum Antioxidant Enzymes, Gut Microbiota and Intestinal Histomorphology in Japanese Quails

This study examined the effects of lavender essential oil on performance, meat quality, microbial load, fatty acid profile and gut microbiota in quails. In the study, 200 quails (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) were divided into 4 groups and 5 subgroups. The groups consisted of a control group (0 mg/kg feed) and three lavender essential oil groups, namely Lav125 (125 mg/kg feed), Lav250 (250 mg/kg feed), and Lav500 (500 mg/kg feed). In terms of body weight change, Lav500 group had the best results after the control group (p>0.05). It was observed that, compared to the control group, pH levels were high (p<0.05) in Lav250 and Lav500 groups on the 9th day of storage. The effect of storage time on malondialdehyde (MDA) was used as a parameter of lipid peroxidation in meat, and the Lav250 and Lav500 groups presented lower concentrations as compared to the control group (p<0.05). In this study, the addition of lavender essential oil to the diet enriched the concentrations of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Moreover, the height of villi in the duodenum and jejunum, and consequently absorption, increased significantly in the Lav500 group as compared to the control group. The concentration of MDA, a blood serum antioxidant enzyme, decreased with the addition of lavender oil. Additionally, lavender essential oil added to quail diets was observed to increase the number of Lactobacillus spp. (probiotic bacteria) colonies (p<0.05).(AU)

Modeling the response of Japanese quail to arginine intake.

Background: Understanding how Japanese quails respond to arginine intake has been an objective that previous studies have not fulfilled. The main responses to be quantified include the arginine requirement for maintenance (mg/kg0.67) and egg mass production (mg/g). Quantifying maintenance and production relationships are essential steps for predicting animal response. The current study aimed to describe how quails respond to arginine intake and determine arginine requirements for maintenance and egg production in Japanese quails. Methods: The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, with seven treatments and seven replicates with individual birds as experimental units. The arginine levels were: 2.43, 3.64, 4.85, 6.07, 9.07, 12.13, and 14.56 g/kg. The experiment lasted for eight weeks. The variables analyzed were daily arginine intake, daily arginine deposition in eggs, and body weight. The data were analyzed using a mixed model, with the experimental unit being the random effect and the experimental levels of arginine as a fixed effect. When the effect of arginine levels was detected (P ≤ 0.05), saturation kinetics and an exponential model with four parameters (monomolecular) were adopted. ANOVA results indicated that dietary arginine levels significantly affected (P < 0.01) the analyzed variables. The formulation strategy of the experimental diets allowed amplitude in the dietary arginine levels, and according to bird responses, arginine was the limiting nutrient. Results: The arginine requirement for body weight maintenance (BW0.67) was estimated to be 90 mg/kg BW0.67 by the monomolecular function. The requirement for egg mass (EM) production was estimated to be 25 mg/g per egg. A factorial model was parameterized as follows: daily arginine intake mg/bird = 90 × BW0.67 + 25 × EM ± 12 mg. The model was applied to data obtained from literature, and the resultant error was within the expected limit of 12 mg. The recommended daily arginine intake for the daily production of 11 g of egg and 180 g of BW was determined to be 304 mg/bird. The current study provides procedures that researchers can easily adopt.

Effects of early social experience on sexual behavior in Japanese quail (Coturnix Japonica).

Experiences during immature phases of development, especially social experiences with individuals of the opposite sex, have implications for adult sexual behavior. Nevertheless, whether and how early experience can affect sexual learning in adulthood is still unclear. We present two experiments exploring how early experience impacts adult sexual Pavlovian conditioning in male Japanese quail. In Experiment 1, 25 male Japanese quail divided into three groups received different stimuli presentations at an early age, namely paired presentations of a conditioned stimulus (CS; a terry cloth model) and an unconditioned stimulus (US; an adult female quail), unpaired presentations of CS and US, and no exposure to stimuli. When they reached sexual maturity, we performed a sexual Pavlovian conditioning procedure with all groups using the same stimuli and tested their conditional response. In Experiment 2, we replicated the first experiment but with younger subjects and additional control variables. In the first experiment, we observed shorter approaching latencies to the CS and longer times near the CS in subjects with paired CS-US presentations compared to unpaired stimuli presentations. This was not replicated in Experiment 2. In both experiments, we found shorter approaching latencies and longer times near the CS in the groups with early exposure to the stimuli (paired or unpaired) compared to the group without this experience. Our findings indicate that the early presentations of stimuli at early stages of life can influence males' (speed of) sexual Pavlovian conditioning during adulthood.

Influence of homeopathy on the quality of quail eggs stored for different periods of time

The purpose of this trial was to assess the influence of homeopathy products on the diet of quails based on egg quality when submitted to different storage periods. Methodology: Two hundred, 45 day old Japanese quails and 80% of production were used, in a completely randomized design comprised of a 4x3 factorial, and 4 diets (basal feed, inert vehicle and 2 homeopathic products: Fertsigo® (Sulphur10 CH, Sepia 15CH ) and Ovosigo® (Belladonna 12CH,Silicea 12 CH, Natrum mur. 30CH, Calcarea phos. 30CH, Sulphur 12CH) and 3 storage periods (0 days, 7 days and 14 days) with ten repetitions of three eggs per treatment. The weight, percentages of yoke, albumen and shell, albumen height and yolk color, specific gravity, Haugh unit, yolk index and shell thickness were evaluated. The data were submitted to variance analysis to verify whether there was a interaction effect between homeopathy factors and storage time, and when absent, the isolated effects. Results: An interaction between the homeopathic products and time was found for the parameters of albumen height and yolk, Haugh unit and yolk index, which reduced over time. For egg weight, yolk, albumen and shell, a significant effect (p<0.05) was found only in the case of homeopathy for the percentages of albumen and shell. For egg and albumen weights, yolk and albumen percentages, specific gravity and colorimetry there was an effect for time, however these parameters reduced over the storage time in days. The addition of the homeopathic based products Ovosigo® and FertSigo® are indicated for the diets of Japanese quail during the laying phase since it resulted in better weights for the egg and its components. Conclusion: The different homeopathic products did not have an influence on conserving the quality of the Japanese quail eggs during the periods evaluated.