Amylin-like immunoreactivity in the extra-islet peptide YY-producing and glucagon-immunoreactive cells in Japanese quail pancreas.

In this study, we investigated amylin-like substance distribution in the pancreas of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) using a specific anti-rat amylin serum. We detected amylin-immunoreactive cells dispersed in the pancreatic extra-islet region but not in the islet region. The synthetic rat amylin-containing serum pre-absorption abolished the staining profile. Almost all amylin-immunoreactive cells were immuno-positive for peptide YY (PYY). In addition, certain amylin-immunoreactive cells stained immuno-positive for glucagon. Amylin and PYY co-secreted from the extra-islet cells might participate in the insulin and glucagon release regulation in the pancreas and food intake modulation through the central nervous system.

Live performance, nutrient digestibility, immune response and fecal microbial load modulation in Japanese quails fed a Bacillus-based probiotic alone or combination with xylanase.

Animal industry seeks cost-effective solutions to enhance performance and health of domestic animals. This study investigated the effects of supplementing Bacillus spp. probiotics and xylanase on 2000 one-day-old Japanese quails, randomly assigned to four treatment groups (10 replicates). The control group received no supplementation, while the others were supplemented with a Bacillus-based probiotic at 7.5 × 107 cfu/kg of feed, xylanase enzyme (2,000 U/kg) alone or in combination. Quails receiving both probiotic and enzyme exhibited significantly (p < 0.01) higher weekly and overall weight gain, and lower feed conversion ratios compared to the control group. Dressing percentage was higher (p < 0.01), and mortality lower in birds supplemented with a combination of enzyme and probiotic. Antibody titres against infectious bronchitis and infectious bursal disease were significantly (p < 0.01) higher in quails receiving combined probiotic and enzyme supplementation, while titres against Newcastle disease virus were higher (p < 0.01) in groups supplemented with probiotic and enzyme individually or in combination. Additionally, digestibility was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in groups receiving combined enzyme and probiotic supplementation, with higher apparent metabolizable energy compared to the control. The populations of beneficial Lactobacillus increased, while harmful E. coli and Salmonella decreased significantly in quails supplemented with both probiotic and enzyme. In conclusion, supplementing xylanase enzyme and probiotic together in Japanese quails positively influenced growth, nutrient digestibility, immune response, and cecal microbiota.

Polystyrene microplastics disrupted physical barriers, microbiota composition and immune responses in the cecum of developmental Japanese quails.

Microplastics, a new type of emerging pollutant, is ubiquitous in terrestrial and water environments. Microplastics have become a growing concern due to their impacts on the environment, animal, and human health. Birds also suffer from microplastics contamination. In this study, we examined the toxic effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) exposure on physical barrier, microbial community, and immune function in the cecum of a model bird species-Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). The one-week-old birds were fed on environmentally relevant concentrations of 20 µg/kg, 400 µg/kg, and 8 mg/kg PS-MPs in the diet for 5 weeks. The results showed that microplastics could cause microstructural damages characterized by lamina propria damage and epithelial cell vacuolation and ultrastructural injuries including microvilli breakage and disarrangement as well as mitochondrial vacuolation in the cecum of quails. In particular, blurry tight junctions, wider desmosomes spacing, and gene expression alteration indicated cecal tight junction malfunction. Moreover, mucous layer breakdown and mucin decrease indicated that chemical barrier was disturbed by PS-MPs. PS-MPs also changed cecal microbial diversity. In addition, structural deformation of cecal tonsils and increasing proinflammatory cytokines suggested cecal immune disorder and inflammation responses by PS-MPs exposure. Our results suggested that microplastics negatively affected digestive system and might pose great health risks to terrestrial birds.

Birds of a feather age together: telomere dynamics and social behavior predict life span in female Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).

Social support is vital for mental and physical health and is linked to lower rates of disease and early mortality. Conversely, anti-social behavior can increase mortality risks, both for the initiator and target of the behavior. Chronic stress, which also can increase mortality, may serve as an important link between social behavior and healthy lifespan. There is a growing body of literature in both humans, and model organisms, that chronic social stress can result in more rapid telomere shortening, a measure of biological aging. Here we examine the role of anti-social behavior and social support on physiological markers of stress and aging in the social Japanese quail, Coturnix Japonica. Birds were maintained in groups for their entire lifespan, and longitudinal measures of antisocial behavior (aggressive agonistic behavior), social support (affiliative behavior), baseline corticosterone, change in telomere length, and lifespan were measured. We found quail in affiliative relationships both committed less and were the targets of less aggression compared to birds who were not in these relationships. In addition, birds displaying affiliative behavior had longer telomeres, and longer lifespans. Our work suggests a novel pathway by which social support may buffer against damage at the cellular level resulting in telomere protection and subsequent longer lifespans.

Carcass characteristics, physicochemical traits, texture and microstructure of young and spent quails meat.

The purpose of the study was to compare young (6-wk-old) and spent (52-wk-old) Japanese quail in terms of body weight, carcass characteristics, and some meat quality traits. Whole carcasses were dissected, pectoral muscles and leg muscles were sampled for determination of basic chemical composition and L*a*b* color parameters, while m. pectoralis major was sampled for texture and microstructure traits. Age of quails had a significant effect on body weight, carcass weight, carcass yield, pectoral muscle, abdominal fat and skin with subcutaneous fat, and carcass remainders contents in eviscerated carcass. Spent quails had significantly higher intramuscular fat content in pectoral and leg muscles and protein content in breast muscle, and also lower content of water in breast and leg muscles than young quails. Slaughter age significantly affected lightness (L*) and redness (a*) of pectoral muscles, as well as texture traits (except for cohesiveness) and microstructure of m. pectoralis major, except for thickness of perimysium and endomysium. Regardless of age, quail sex had an effect on the carcass traits studied (except for leg muscle content), intramuscular fat content of pectoral and leg muscles, water content of leg muscles and yellowness of pectoral muscle. In addition, a significant effect of quail sex was found on cutting work, springiness, chewiness and marked microstructural characteristics, except for vertical fiber diameter. The interaction between age and sex was significant for most slaughter and microstructural characteristics and also WB-shear force of m. pectoralis major, and L*, b* pectoral muscles. Higher fatness of carcasses, higher intramuscular fat in meat, and poorer textural and microstructural characteristics of m. pectoralis major spent Japanese quail indicate poorer fulfillment of most consumers' requirements compared to carcasses and meat of young quails.

Does the marketing age impact growth performance, carcass traits, economic feasibility and hemato-biochemical properties of genetically-modified quails?

The meat of the quail is one of the most delicious types, as it is rich in minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin K, which is useful in treating nervous diseases. In the present investigation, based on their live body weight, 270 genetically-enhanced white quail chicks of mixed sex were randomly assigned to 3 groups, each with 90 chicks. The first group's birds were slaughtered at 28 d of age. The birds in the second group were slaughtered at 31 d, and the birds in the third group were slaughtered at 34 d. Results showed no significant difference between the various groups in the overall mortality rate index at the end of each fattening stage (P > 0.05). There were substantial variations (P ≤ 0.05) in the average live weight index between the first and both groups at each group's marketing age. With increasing marketing age, body weight increases. Quail chicks raised for 34 d received the lowest EPEF (28.90 points), followed by those raised for 31 d and 28 d, which received 33.37 and 37.32 points, respectively. The economic feasibility of the 3 groups, no significant differences in the profit index were observed at the age of 28 d. Compared to the marketing age of the other 2 groups, it was noted that the profit index decreased as the birds advanced in age. Delaying marketing to 31 d leads to a decrease in profit by 5.7%, and delaying marketing to 34 d reduces the profit index to 26.36% compared to marketing at 28 d. For blood hematology parameters, a significant increase in the studied indicators with the age of the birds was observed through the study of blood indicators. Still, it did not reach the significance level. It could be concluded that 28 d is the ideal marketing age for the enhanced white quails, as it yielded the highest economic return and the best performance.

The relationship between lysozyme gene polymorphism and quality changes during the storage of eggs derived from 2 commercial strains of Japanese quail.

During the storage irreversible changes occur in eggs that result in a deterioration of their quality. The most significant changes affect the albumen. One of the major proteins of albumen present in egg white is lysozyme, which protects the embryo from microorganisms. This enzyme also contributes to the qualitative characteristics of albumen. It is possible that its polymorphism also affects the quality and stability of the obtained raw material that is, table eggs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the potential effect of polymorphism in the lysozyme gene and protein on the quality changes during the storage of eggs derived from 2 genetic strains of Japanese quail belonging to various utility types. Eggs from selected females of laying and meat-type breeds were stored for 14 wk. During this period the egg quality traits were evaluated 10 times. DNA was isolated from each female and all exons of the lysozyme gene had been sequenced. In total, fourteen SNPs' and one 4-bp indel mutation were identified in exons and adjacent intronic sequences, among which SNP1 (1:32140723) resulted in a substitution of lysine with glutamine (Q21K). The results showed that SNP1 (strain S22), as well as the SNP2, SNP5, SNP7, SNP8, SNP10, SNP11, SNP12 and SNP13 were significantly associated with breaking strength during egg storage in both investigated Japanese quail strains. Furthermore, a 3 haplotype blocks containing nine SNPs (2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 13) were identified. These blocks displayed 8 distinct haplotypes that had significant association with breaking strength at all storage time points where egg quality analyses were performed. The study also revealed significant effects of breed and storage time on the egg quality traits. These results provide new insights into the genetic basis of egg quality during storage and could be incorporated into the breeding programs involving these strains.

Growth performance, carcass traits and meat physical characteristics of growing Japanese quail fed ginger powder and frankincense oil as feed additives.

This work aimed to investigate the effects of dietary frankincense oil and ginger on the growth efficiency of growing Japanese quail, including live body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass traits, and physical characteristics of the meat. In total, 150 unsexed Japanese quail chicks that were 7 d old were utilized in the experiment. The chicks were randomly divided into 5 groups. Each group was divided into 3 replicates with ten birds in a completely randomized design. Group 1 received a basal diet without supplements and was used as a control group. Groups 2 and 3 received basal diets with 250 and 500 mg of ginger per kg of diet, respectively. Groups 4 and 5 received basal diets with 200 and 400 mg of frankincense oil per kg of diet, respectively. Results showed that BW of chicks received 500 mg of ginger and the 2 levels of frankincense oil at 5 wk of age, and 250 mg of ginger and 400 mg of frankincense oil at 6 wk significantly increased. BWG was significantly increased by using 500 mg of ginger and 2 levels of frankincense oil at 1 to 3 wk, 250 mg of ginger and 400 mg of frankincense oil at 3 to 6 wk, and 1 to 6 wk of age, in comparison with the control group. Treatments insignificantly influenced feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved considerably by using 250 mg of ginger and 400 mg of frankincense at 3 to 6 wk and 1 to 6 wk of age, respectively. Gizzard% was notably reduced with 200 mg of frankincense oil. The pH value of meat was significantly increased by having 2 levels of ginger. Still, water holding capacity and tenderness significantly decreased owing to 500 mg of ginger and 400 mg of frankincense oil. We can conclude that adding ginger and frankincense oil to Japanese quail diets may be beneficial.

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.

Pre-natal exposure to glucocorticoids causes changes in developmental circadian clock gene expression and post-natal behaviour in the Japanese quail.

The embryonic environment is critical in shaping developmental trajectories and consequently post-natal phenotypes. Exposure to elevated stress hormones during this developmental stage is known to alter a variety of post-natal phenotypic traits, and it has been suggested that pre-natal stress can have long term effects on the circadian rhythm of glucocorticoid hormone production. Despite the importance of the circadian system, the potential impact of developmental glucocorticoid exposure on circadian clock genes, has not yet been fully explored. Here, we showed that pre-natal exposure to corticosterone (CORT, a key glucocorticoid) resulted in a significant upregulation of two key hypothalamic circadian clock genes during the embryonic period in the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Altered expression was still present 10 days into post-natal life for both genes, but then disappeared by post-natal day 28. At post-natal day 28, however, diel rhythms of eating and resting were influenced by exposure to pre-natal CORT. Males exposed to pre-natal CORT featured an earlier acrophase, alongside spending a higher proportion of time feeding. Females exposed to pre-natal CORT featured a less pronounced shift in acrophase and spent less time eating. Both males and females exposed to pre-natal CORT spent less time inactive during the day. Pre-natal CORT males appeared to feature a delay in peak activity levels. Our novel data suggest that these circadian clock genes and aspects of diurnal behaviours are highly susceptible to glucocorticoid disruption during embryonic development, and these effects are persistent across developmental stages, at least into early post-natal life.

Lead induced cerebellar toxicology of developmental Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) via oxidative stress-based Nrf2/Keap1 pathway inhibition and glutathione-mediated apoptosis signaling activation.

Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal that has been recognized as a neurotoxin, meaning it can cause harmful effects on the nervous system. However, the neurotoxicology of Pb to birds still needs further study. In this study, we examined the neurotoxic effects of Pb exposure on avian cerebellum by using an animal model-Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). The one-week old male chicks were exposed to 50, 200 and 500 mg/kg Pb of environmental relevance in the feed for five weeks. The results showed Pb caused cerebellar microstructural damages charactered by deformation of neuroglia cells, granule cells and Purkinje cells with Nissl body changes. Moreover, cerebellar neurotransmission was disturbed by Pb with increasing acetylcholine (ACh) and decreasing acetylcholinesterase (AChE), dopamine (DA), γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) and Na+/K+ ATPase. Meanwhile, cerebellar oxidative stress was caused by Pb exposure represented by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as decreasing catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Moreover, RNA-Seq analysis showed that molecular signaling pathways in the cerebellum were disrupted by Pb exposure. In particular, the disruption of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nfr2)/kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) pathway and glutathione metabolism pathway indicated increasing cell apoptosis and functional disorder in the cerebellum. The present study revealed that Pb induced cerebellar toxicology through structural injury, oxidative stress, neurotransmission interference and abnormal apoptosis.

Evaluation of biological selenium nanoparticles on growth performance, histopathology of vital organs and genotoxicity in Japanese quails (coturnix coturnix japonica).

Research on the effects of selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs), particularly in Japanese quails, is lacking, especially regarding the potential for DNA damage. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of administering 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg of Se-NPs on the growth performance, DNA integrity, and histopathological alterations of the liver, lung, kidney, and heart in quails. A total of 480 one-day-old Japanese quails were divided into three experimental groups as follows: Group 1 served as the control and received only basic feed, while Group 2 and 3 received 0.2 mg/kg and 0.4 mg/kg of Se-NPs via oral gavage. Our results suggested that, birds fed with Se-NPs at both levels significantly (p < .01) reduced feed intake, however, weight gain was significantly (p < .01) increased in quails supplemented with 0.2 mg/kg. Similarly, feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly (p < .01) reduced in group supplemented with 0.2 mg/kg Se-NPs. White blood cells increased significantly (P0.01) in 0.4 mg/kg while haemoglobin and red cell distribution width decreased (p < .01) in the same group. Both treatment regimens resulted in DNA damage and histopathological alterations; however, the adverse effects were more prominent in the group receiving the higher dose of 0.4 mg/kg. These findings indicate that the lower dose of 0.2 mg/kg may have beneficial effects on growth. However, the higher dose of 0.4 mg/kg not only negatively impacts growth but also leads to histopathological alterations in major organs of the body and DNA damage as well.

Expression of mRNAs Encoding Hypothalamic Small Proteins, Neurosecretory Protein GL and Neurosecretory Protein GM, in the Japanese Quail, Coturnix japonica.

Neurosecretory protein GL (NPGL) and neurosecretory protein GM (NPGM) are novel neuropeptides that have been discovered in the hypothalamic infundibulum of chickens. NPGL and NPGM play important roles in lipid metabolism in juvenile chickens. The physiological functions of NPGL and NPGM in sexually mature birds remain unknown. The Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) seems to be an appropriate model for analyzing NPGL and NPGM during sexual maturity. However, studies on NPGL or NPGM have yet to be reported in the Japanese quail. In the present study, we identified cDNAs encoding precursor proteins of NPGL and NPGM in the quail hypothalamus. In situ hybridization revealed that NPGL mRNA-expressing cells in the hypothalamus were localized in the infundibular nucleus and median eminence, and NPGM mRNA-expressing cells were only found in the mammillary nucleus. Immunohistochemistry revealed that NPGM-like immunoreactive cells were distributed in the mammillary nucleus, whereas NPGL-like immunoreactive cells were not detected in the hypothalamus. Real-time PCR analysis indicated that the expression of NPGL mRNA was higher in the hypothalamus of females than in that of males, and NPGM mRNA expression showed no sex differences. NPGL and NPGM mRNA expression in males was upregulated after 24 h of food deprivation. In females, only NPGM mRNA expression was increased by fasting. These results suggest that the physiological functions of NPGL and NPGM are different in quail, and these factors are involved in sex differences in energy metabolism.

Quail GHRL and LEAP2 gene cloning, polymorphism detection, phylogenetic analysis, tissue expression profiling and its association analysis with feed intake.

The GHRL, LEAP2, and GHSR system have recently been identified as important regulators of feed intake in mammals and chickens. However, the complete cloning of the quail GHRL (qGHRL) and quail LEAP2 (qLEAP2) genes, as well as their association with feed intake, remains unclear. This study cloned the entire qGHRL and qLEAP2 cDNA sequence in Chinese yellow quail (Coturnix japonica), including the 5' and 3' untranslated regions. Sanger sequencing analysis revealed no missense mutations in the coding region of qGHRL and qLEAP2. Subsequently, phylogenetic analysis and protein homology alignment were conducted on the qGHRL and qLEAP2 in major poultry species. The findings of this research indicated that the qGHRL and qLEAP2 sequences exhibit a high degree of similarity with those of chicken and turkey. Specifically, the N-terminal 6 amino acids of GHRL mature peptides and all the mature peptide sequence of LEAP2 exhibited consistent patterns across all species examined. The analysis of tissue gene expression profiles indicated that qGHRL was primarily expressed in the proventriculus and brain tissue, whereas qLEAP2 exhibited higher expression levels in the intestinal tissue, kidney, and liver tissue, differing slightly from previous studies conducted on chicken. It is necessary to investigate the significance of elevated expression of qGHRL in brain and qLEAP2 in kidney in the future. Further research has shown that the expression of qLEAP2 can quickly respond to changes in different energy states, whereas qGHRL does not exhibit the same capability. Overall, this study successfully cloned the complete cDNA sequences of qGHRL and qLEAP2, and conducted a comprehensive examination of their tissue expression profiles and gene expression levels in the main expressing organs across different energy states. Our current findings suggested that qLEAP2 is highly expressed in the liver, intestine, and kidney, and its expression level is regulated by feed intake.

The potential of lemon peel powder as an additive in layer quails (Coturnix coturnix Japonica): An experimental study.

The current research intended to examine the impact of dietary lemon peel powder (LPP) on laying quail performance, egg quality criteria, and the antioxidant capacity of the yolk. A total of 120 female Japanese quails (272.6±9.3 g), aged 21 weeks, were allotted to 6 trial groups, each with 5 replicates of 4 quails. Additions of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 g/kg of LPP to the basal diet were used to create the treatment groups. Quails were fed ad libitum for 70 days. Neither performance parameters nor egg production was affected by LPP. However, eggshell-breaking strength improved by adding 2 g/kg LPP to the diet, but worsened at 5 g/kg. Moreover, the relative weight of eggshell and yolk L* value decreased with the treatments. Dietary LPP enhanced oxidative stability, reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) and increasing 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) yolk values. The current study demonstrated that LPP, a safe and easily accessible agricultural by-product, enhanced eggshell quality when it was included in the diet of laying quails at doses of 2 g/kg. In contrast, improvement of yolk antioxidant capacity required increased amounts of LPP (4 g/kg). LPP could be advantageous to animal nutrition as an adequate substitute to reduce waste by-products.

Dietary restriction and life-history trade-offs: insights into mTOR pathway regulation and reproductive investment in Japanese quail.

Resources are needed for growth, reproduction and survival, and organisms must trade off limited resources among competing processes. Nutritional availability in organisms is sensed and monitored by nutrient-sensing pathways that can trigger physiological changes or alter gene expression. Previous studies have proposed that one such signalling pathway, the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), underpins a form of adaptive plasticity when individuals encounter constraints in their energy budget. Despite the fundamental importance of this process in evolutionary biology, how nutritional limitation is regulated through the expression of genes governing this pathway and its consequential effects on fitness remain understudied, particularly in birds. We used dietary restriction to simulate resource depletion and examined its effects on body mass, reproduction and gene expression in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica). Quails were subjected to feeding at 20%, 30% and 40% restriction levels or ad libitum for 2 weeks. All restricted groups exhibited reduced body mass, whereas reductions in the number and mass of eggs were observed only under more severe restrictions. Additionally, dietary restriction led to decreased expression of mTOR and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), whereas the ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (RPS6K1) and autophagy-related genes (ATG9A and ATG5) were upregulated. The pattern in which mTOR responded to restriction was similar to that for body mass. Regardless of the treatment, proportionally higher reproductive investment was associated with individual variation in mTOR expression. These findings reveal the connection between dietary intake and the expression of mTOR and related genes in this pathway.

Dietary restriction reveals sex-specific expression of the mTOR pathway genes in Japanese quails.

Limited resources affect an organism's physiology through the conserved metabolic pathway, the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). Males and females often react differently to nutritional limitation, but whether it leads to differential mTOR pathway expression remains unknown. Recently, we found that dietary restriction (DR) induced significant changes in the expression of mTOR pathway genes in female Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica). We simultaneously exposed 32 male and female Japanese quails to either 20%, 30%, 40% restriction or ad libitum feeding for 14 days and determined the expression of six key genes of the mTOR pathway in the liver to investigate sex differences in the expression patterns. We found that DR significantly reduced body mass, albeit the effect was milder in males compared to females. We observed sex-specific liver gene expression. DR downregulated mTOR expression more in females than in males. Under moderate DR, ATG9A and RPS6K1 expressions were increased more in males than in females. Like females, body mass in males was correlated positively with mTOR and IGF1, but negatively with ATG9A and RS6K1 expressions. Our findings highlight that sexes may cope with nutritional deficits differently and emphasise the importance of considering sexual differences in studies of dietary restriction.

Impacts of storage period and egg weight on hatching and growth performance of growing Japanese quails.

This investigation aimed to assess how Japanese quail hatchability, growth, and carcass traits were affected by quail egg weight, storage length, and their interactions. One thousand two hundred sixty eggs of the commercial Japanese quail were purchased, and the average age of the birds was 13 wk. Quail egg weights were divided into 3 groups using a 3 × 4 factorial design: small (< 11 g), medium (11-12 g), and large (> 12 g). Each group had four storage times (1, 4, 7, and 10 d) and held 105 eggs. The study used a storage room with 70% humidity and 18°C. There were 12 treatment groups. For the final 3 d of incubation, the eggs were positioned in a hatching machine after being incubated for 14 d at 37.6°C and 65% humidity. For the study, 540 one-day-old Japanese unsexed quail chicks were randomly chosen and placed in groups of 5 that resembled the distribution of eggs. Three duplicates (15 chicks each) made up each of the 4 storage periods that comprised the 180 birds. The findings showed that the percentage of hatchable eggs is significantly influenced by their weight and the length of storage; medium and heavy-weight eggs exhibited higher percentages of hatchability while holding for 7 to 10 d. However, no significant interaction was observed-additionally, heavy egg weight results in higher weight at different ages. Egg weight also significantly impacts chick weight at hatch, 3 wk, and 6 wk. Egg weight and storage time affect dressing and carcass measurement percentages. We can conclude that the best results in terms of hatch and post-hatch efficiency, as well as carcass characteristics, were obtained with medium or heavy quail eggs and storage times of either 1 d or 4 d.

Live yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae: a promising nutritional enrichment for laying quails.

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementing live Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae to laying quails (Coturnix japonica) as nutritional enrichment. Live performances, apparent digestibility of nutrients (including that of sole live TM larvae), egg physicochemical quality, sensory traits, and storage stability were considered in this experiment. Sixty laying quails were divided into 2 dietary groups (6 replicated cages/group; 5 quails/cage): a Control group received a basal diet for laying quails and a TM10 group was fed with the Control diet supplemented with live TM larvae (10% of the expected daily feed intake). For the digestibility trial, 30 laying quails were divided into 3 dietary groups: the first 2 groups were fed with the Control and TM10 diets, while the third group received ad libitum live TM larvae (TM100) as a complete replacement for the Control diet. Overall, no mortality was recorded during the trials. Quails fed TM showed a remarkable capability of digesting dietary chitin (P < 0.0001). TM100 quails showed the lowest digestibility for dry matter, crude protein, and energy, but that of ether extract was the highest (P < 0.001). The presence of live TM larvae stimulated quails' feed intake (P < 0.0001), but did not affect performance traits. Similarly, overall physicochemical quality attributes and storage stability were comparable in Control and TM10 eggs. The sensory features of quail eggs differed in TM10 vs. Control groups: TM10 eggs had the lowest overall flavor (P < 0.01), sulfur (P < 0.05) and greasy-oily (P < 0.01) intensities. Therefore, a 10% TM dietary supplementation is effective in stimulating feeding activity of quails, but it did not provide any productive improvement compared to a standard diet. Further studies should assess the possible beneficial effect of live TM supplementation on quail's gut health. The digestibility trial with the sole live TM larvae allowed to assess the specific nutritional value of this emerging feedstuff which is of utmost importance for future feed formulations.

The impacts of dietary inclusion of soybean oil and linseed oil on growth performance, carcass yield, and health status of growing Japanese quail.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), including n-6 and n-3 fatty acids, are essential for enhancing the performance and health of poultry. Avian species lack desaturase enzymes for endogenous synthesis of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids. This work aimed to determine the impacts of including soybean oil (SO) and linseed oil (LO) in quail diets on growth, lipid profile, hepatic and renal functions, immunity, and antioxidant status. A total of 350 Japanese quail chicks (1-wk-old) were randomly arranged into 7 dietary treatment groups. Seven isocaloric and isonitrogenous experimental basal diets were formed based on the nutritional requirements of growing Japanese quail. Group 1, the control, received a basal with no oils, while groups 2 to 7 received a basal diet containing either 1% SO, 1.5% SO, 2% SO, 1% LO, 1.5% LO, or 2% LO, respectively. Quail groups that consumed diets containing LO at all levels showed significantly greater live body weight (LBW) at 5th wk of age than other experimental groups. The dietary incorporation of 1.5 or 2% SO or LO at all levels yielded significant improvements in body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) through 3 to 5 and 1 to 5 wk of age. Different dietary oil sources and levels have no significant impacts on feed intake (FI) and carcass yield parameters. Lipid profile parameters were improved by adding SO and LO in quail diets, with LO having a higher effect than SO. The hepatic and renal functionality were improved by adding SO and LO in quail diets. The lowest uric acid (UA) bloodstream concentrations were recorded in the quail group fed a diet with 2% LO. Values of Gamma globulins (G-GLO) and immunoglobulins (G, M, and A) were increased by adding SO or LO to quail diets. Blood levels of MDA and TAC were improved significantly by including LO in quail diets. The activity of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme was significantly increased by adding SO or LO to quail diets. Generally, adding SO or LO to growing quail diets up to 2% could yield favorable effects on growth performance, blood lipids, hepatic and renal functions, immunity, and antioxidant status; however, LO seems to have better effects than SO.