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One of the greatest challenges in poultry production is maintaining intestinal mucosal barrier integrity and gut microbiota balance. Safe alternative antimicrobials that can regulate the microbial community through animal feed have been the subject of research in poultry production. This study evaluated the effect of Mentha piperita and Melaleuca alternifolia essential oils (EOs) on the gut microbiome and morphometry of broiler quails under normal feeding conditions. The gut microbiome was studied using a completely randomized design consisting of 4 treatments, namely control, bacitracin zinc, and the Eos M. piperita and M. alternifolia, with 8 repetitions and 7 quails per treatment, totaling 224 quails from 1 to 42 days old. The intestinal contents of the slaughtered quails were collected to evaluate the gut microbiome profile of their digestive tract. Gut morphometry was analyzed using a completely randomized factorial design, with four experimental rations for three intestinal sections (4x3) and five replications. The variables studied were villus surface area and height, crypt depth, villus height to cryptdepth ratio (VH:CD), villus-crypt ratio (V:C), villus width to height ratio (VW:H), and height of the intestinal epithelium and musculature. M. alternifolia (50 mg/kg of feed) in the diet of broiler quails improved gut morphometry, similar to the results obtained with bacitracin zinc. This EO also altered the gut microbiome of quails and reduced pathogenic bacterial diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quails (Coturnix coturnix (Linnaeus, 1758)) are the only migratory Galliformes species. Quails are nestling ground-dwelling birds, feeding on seeds and crawling insects. Wild quails inhabit many parts of Russia. Quail farming is quite popular because quail meat is low in calories and possesses a number of beneficial properties, e.g., it is rich in proteins, contains little fat and virtually no carbohydrates, etc. As a rule, quails winter in Transcaucasia and Southern Europe; however, they sometimes prefer to stay in southern regions for the winter. This article introduces the autumn food habits of quails in the Central Ciscaucasia. The research relied on the analysis of stomach contents of 156 birds killed by hunters or hit by vehicles in several districts of the Stavropol Region. The material was collected in the autumn in 2008–2021. In the Central Ciscaucasia, quails are mesophiles and inhabit abandoned wheat and pea fields. The population fluctuates from year to year, depending on spring weather conditions. Their optimal nestling grounds include irrigated fields and areas near canals and ponds. In the steppe regions, they prefer agricultural areas, e.g., orchards, vineyards, holiday villages, sheep sheds, green belts along fields, roads, and railways, etc. Being phytophages, they rely on plant and, to a lesser extent, animal forage. In the autumn, they feeding on green plants, wheat grain, seeds of cultivated and wild plants, and insect larvae.

This study evaluated the effect of dietary supplementation with glutamine and glutamic acid (Gln+Glu) on performance, intestinal morphometry, and carcass characteristics of broiler quails. Eight hundred birds were used, distributed in an entirely randomized design with 20 birds per experimental unit, and given five treatments (0.0; 0.2; 0.4; 0.6; and 0.8% Gln+Glu supplementation) with eight replicates. At 1-21 days of age, lower (P < 0.05) feed intake at 0.6 and 0.8% Gln+Glu supplementation and lower weight gain at 0.8% Gln+Glu supplementation compared to the control treatment were observed. By regression analysis, excluding the control treatment, there was an increasing linear effect (P < 0.05) for feed intake at 22 to 42 days of age. For intestinal morphometry, Gln+Glu supplementation only favored the villus development of the ileum (P < 0.05), giving it greater height at 0.2, 0.6, and 0.8% supplementation. Carcass characteristics, cuts, and edible viscera of the birds at 42 days were not affected (P > 0.05) by Gln+Glu supplementation levels. Thus, the glutamine and glutamic acid supplementation affected the performance and intestinal morphology of 21-d-old quails, decreasing feed intake and weight gain associated with the improvement of ileum morphology; conversely, performance and carcass characteristics at 42 days were not affected by amino acid supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When applied at growing phase, lighting program aims to obtain quails with body weight and physiological maturity suitable for the beginning of laying. This study evaluated lighting programs at growing phase on performance, sexual maturity and egg quality of meat quail breeders (Coturnix coturnix) at laying phase. From 7 to 49 days of age, 300 female meat quails were subjected to three lighting programs (natural, intermittent and continuous), with 5 replicates of 20 birds each. At 49 days of age, 240 quails were transferred to a shed, maintaining the same experimental conditions. Meat quails submitted to continuous and intermittent lighting programs had higher weight of reproductive system and lower ages for first egg production and to reach 50% of egg production (P < 0.05). Quails submitted to natural lighting had lower feed intake from 49 to 70 and 71 to 92 days of age and worse feed conversion up to 114 days of age. Continuous and intermittent lighting programs resulted in more precocious quails compared to natural lighting program. Quails submitted to natural lighting at growing phase presented lower egg production during all periods, not differing for birds submitted to continuous and intermittent programs from the second period (71 to 92 days of age). Intermittent and continuous lighting result in better feed conversion of breeding quails up to 114 days and a higher percentage of laying (49 to 136 days), reducing the number of days to produce the first egg and to reach 50% of laying, in relation to natural lighting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: One of the greatest challenges in poultry production is maintaining intestinal mucosal barrier integrity and gut microbiota balance. Safe alternative antimicrobials that can regulate the microbial community through animal feed have been the subject of research in poultry production. This study evaluated the effect of Mentha piperita and Melaleuca alternifolia essential oils (EOs) on the gut microbiome and morphometry of broiler quails under normal feeding conditions. The gut microbiome was studied using a completely randomized design consisting of 4 treatments, namely control, bacitracin zinc, and the Eos M. piperita and M. alternifolia, with 8 repetitions and 7 quails per treatment, totaling 224 quails from 1 to 42 days old. The intestinal contents of the slaughtered quails were collected to evaluate the gut microbiome profile of their digestive tract. Gut morphometry was analyzed using a completely randomized factorial design, with four experimental rations for three intestinal sections (4x3) and five replications. The variables studied were villus surface area and height, crypt depth, villus height to cryptdepth ratio (VH:CD), villus-crypt ratio (V:C), villus width to height ratio (VW:H), and height of the intestinal epithelium and musculature. M. alternifolia (50 mg/kg of feed) in the diet of broiler quails improved gut morphometry, similar to the results obtained with bacitracin zinc. This EO also altered the gut microbiome of quails and reduced pathogenic bacterial diversity.

ABSTRACT This report examines the effects of calcium anacardate (CA) on the morphology, histology, and proteomics of the testes and epididymal ducts of breeding quail. To that end, 22 140-day-old males were grouped in four treatments, each with different concentrations of CA: 0% (control), 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75%. The testicles of the animals were weighed and measured, and proteins from the testicles were separated by 1D SDS-PAGE and analyzed via mass spectrometry. Overall, 35 bands were identified in the testicular tissue gels of European quail. Of these, 13 were significantly different, with treatment 0.75% CA being different from the control in all bands. Significant differences among the mean heights of the seminiferous epithelium and diameters of the epididymal duct were observed. In the control group, the average height of the seminiferous epithelium was 71.2 µm, and in 0.75% CA, it was 45.6 µm. Supplementing feed with CA altered the expression of specific proteins, such as superoxide dismutase and heat shock proteins, of the seminal plasma of quail, in addition to facilitating histological alterations regarding the height of the seminiferous epithelium and the diameter of the epididymal duct, improving the reproductive parameters.

Seaweeds are functional aquatic plants that can be used in Jumbo quail (Coturnix sp.) feeds as sources of phytochemicals and nutrients. However, no studies have investigated the feed value of green seaweed (Ulva sp.) meal (SM) for the Jumbo quail. Thus, the impact of different dietary inclusion levels of SM on productive traits, serum biochemistry, haematology, visceral organ sizes, carcass features, and meat quality attributes in Jumbo quail was investigated. In a completely randomised design, one-week-old quail (n = 385; 67.7 ± 3.44 g body weight) were allotted to five treatments, with seven replicate pens (experimental unit). The treatments were produced by including 0 (SM0), 20 (SM20), 40 (SM40), 60 (SM60) and 80 g/kg (SM80) of green SM in a commercial grower diet. Regression results showed no linear or quadratic effects (P > 0.05) to different levels of SM for average weekly feed intake, overall weight gain, haematological indices, internal organs, carcass features, and meat quality characteristics of the birds. However, incorporating SM up to 80 g/kg in the diet linearly reduced overall gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) [R2 = 0.282; P = 0.0001] and slaughter weights [R2 = 0.159; P = 0.026]. Treatment SM80 promoted (P

Surface temperature can be used as a tool for calculating sensible heat transfer. However, it needs to be associated with air temperature to identify the direction of heat flow (gain or loss). This study quantified sensible heat transfer in Japanese quail as a function of operative temperature. The meteorological variables were air temperature, relative humidity, and black globe temperature. Quail surface temperature was measured on 50 adult Coturnix coturnix japonica individuals 270 days old during 8 days by using a thermographic camera. The data were analyzed by the least-squares method to assess the effects of sex (male and female), period of the day (morning and afternoon), and body region (head, body, and feet). Quail surface temperature was strongly correlated with operative temperature. The total sensible heat flow was 64.02 W m−2. The morning period had a mean operative temperature of 22.48 °C, providing a higher gradient between air and quail temperature and thereby producing a higher heat flow (82.19 W m−2). In the afternoon, the heat transfer was lower (45.70 W m−2) because the operative temperature was higher (30.84 °C). Comparison between sexes showed that heat transfer was higher in females (67.37 W m−2) than in males (60.53 W m−2). The head served as an important thermal window, with a heat transfer of 78.24 W m−2, whereas the body and feet had a transfer of 56.80 W m−2. Heat transfer by sensible mechanisms was quantified in Japanese quail. Heat transfer depended greatly on ambient temperature. When the operative temperature was below 28 °C, sensible mechanisms were efficient in dissipating heat to the environment. When the ambient temperature exceeded 29 °C, quail could not effectively dissipate heat to the environment through sensible mechanisms. At 30 °C and above, heat loss shifted to heat gain, causing thermal stress in Japanese quail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Birds are involved natural cycle of a number of vector-borne viruses in both rural and urban areas. Toscana (TOSV) and Sicilian (SFSV) phleboviruses are sandfly-borne viruses in the genus Phlebovirus that can cause diseases in human. However, there is limited information on the role of the birds in sandfly-borne phleboviruses natural cycle and reservoirs ofthese viruses remain unknown. Methods: In this study, we analyzed Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix) sera from Spain to identify the seroprevalence of these two phleboviruses. We tested respectively, 106 and 110 quail serum against TOSV and SFSV from 2018, 2019, and 2021 from two locations in northern Spain with using virus neutralization test. Results: We identified high neutralizing antibody rates for SFSV (45.45%) and TOSV (42.45%) with yearly fluctuation. Discussion: This is the first identification of SFSV and TOSV neutralizing antibodies in wild birds. High seroprevalence rates of TOSV and SFSV in quail birds raises the question whether birds have a role as amplifying hosts in the natural cycle of phleboviruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High fiber levels (165 g neutral detergent fibre (NDF)/kg DM) in Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) could limit its utilization as a nutraceutical source in Jumbo quail diets. Pre-treating MOLP with exogenous fibrolytic multi-enzymes could reduce the nutrient-encapsulating effect of non-starch polysaccharides and subsequently increase nutrient and bioactive compound utilization. Thus, this study investigated the effect of pre-treating dietary MOLP with an exogenous fibrolytic enzyme mixture on some physiological parameters and meat quality characteristics in Jumbo quail. A total of 396 Jumbo quail were randomly distributed to 6 experimental diets, with 6 replicate pens each and 11 birds per replicate. The experimental diets were: CON = a standard grower diet (156.5 g NDF /kg) without MOLP; ENZ0 = CON + 10% MOLP; and CON + MOLP pre-treated with 0.25% (ENZ25), 0.50% (ENZ50), 0.75% (ENZ75) and 1% (ENZ100) fibrolytic enzymes. There were no significant linear or quadratic effects on growth performance parameters and carcass characteristics in response to incremental levels of fibrolytic enzymes. However, neutrophils linearly increased, while breast meat lightness and 24 h hue angle linearly declined with enzyme levels. Quadratic effects were observed on gizzard weights and 1 h hue angle in response to enzyme levels. All the hemato-biochemical values fell within the normal ranges for healthy quail. It was concluded that the maximum fibrolytic multi-enzyme application rate of 1% may not have been adequate to enhance feed utilization and positively affect weight gain in Jumbo quail, thus higher levels may need to be investigated further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, PCR-RFLP was used to analyze the correlation between estrogen receptor (ESR) gene polymorphism and growth traits in two populations of quail. The results showed that three genotypes, CC, CT and TT, were detected in exon 1, exon 4 and exon 8 of ESR gene. The frequencies of CC genotype in expressed exon 1 of ESR gene were the highest in french giant quail and savimit quail (0.531 and 0.778, respectively). The frequencies of TT genotype in expressed exon 4 of ESR gene were the highest in french giant quail and savimit quail (0.338 and 0.581, respectively). The frequencies of TT genotype in expressed exon 8 of ESR gene were the highest in french giant quail and savimit quail (0.544 and 0.838, respectively). The research in this paper demonstrated the significant associations of exon 1 of ESR gene with sternal length and body length (P<0.05), exon 8 with body length (P<0.05), and exon 4 with body weight, chest width, and tibial circumference of meat quails (P<0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: The present study was intended to answer 2 scientific hypotheses: 1) the quail species has a significant influence in quail breast meat composition; 2) the wild quail's meat presents healthier composition than their farmed counterparts.An analysis of the pectoral muscles of wild and captive common quails (Coturnix coturnix) and domestic quails (Coturnix japonica domestica) was performed. The content of fatty acids (FA), amino acids, total cholesterol, and vitamin E, some basic macro- and microminerals in the pectoral muscles of the 2 species of the genus Coturnix were analyzed.Regarding the quail species influence on meat composition, Japanese Quail (JQ) revealed better lipid composition, characterized by lower saturated FA (SFA; less 3.17 g/100 g of total fatty acids), higher polyunsaturated FA contents (PUFA; more 5.5 g/100 g of total fatty acids) and healthier polyunsaturated FA/saturated FA (P/S) and n-6/n-3 ratios and TI value (1.08, 9.54 and 0.60 vs. 0.76, 12.58, and 0.75, correspondingly). The absence of differences observed on amino acids partial sums and ratios reveals equality between species on protein nutritional quality. On the other hand, Common Quail (CQ) proved to be a better source of copper (0.181 mg/100 g of meat), iron (2.757 mg/100 g of meat), manganese (0.020 mg/100 g of meat), and zinc (0.093 mg/100 g of meat) than JQ.The comparison of farmed and wild specimens within CQ, showed that wild birds presented lower total cholesterol (less 8.32 mg/g of fresh meat) and total PUFA (less 4.26 g/100 g of total fatty acids), and higher n-3 PUFA contents (more 1.53 g/100 g of total fatty acids), which contributed to healthier P/S and n-6/n-3 ratios, but worst PI (1.60, 8.08, and 113.1 vs. 0.76, 12.58, and 100.8, respectively). The wild species revealed higher α-tocopherol content (2.40 vs. 1.49 µg/g of fresh meat. Differences observed on their mineral composition counterbalance each other.Under intensive production system and similar feeding and management conditions, the CQ develops better nutritional qualities than JQ. The comparison of wild and farmed species within CQ reveals more similarities than differences. Quail´s meat presents good nutritional quality and introduces variability to human's diet, which is much valued by consumers.

For China yellow quail, Beijing white quail and Korean quail, number of eggs, total egg weight and laying rate begin to soar up with the increase of age from the 8th week to 12th week. Such growth rate declines gradually with the increase of age from the 12th week to the 15th week. The best regression equation for the number of eggs of Beijing white quail, Korean quail and Chinese yellow quail to week-age were: Y=-12.153+1.850X-0.003X³ (R²=0.991), Y=-14.367+3.110X-0.121X² (R²=0.881) and Y=-12.096+2.954X-0.116X² (R²=0.833), respectively. The best regression equations of the total egg weight of Beijing white quail, Korean quail and Chinese yellow quail to week-age were: Y=-142.558+21.406X-0.037X³ (R²=0.991), Y=-180.768+38.405X-1.508X² (R²=0.888) and Y=-150.305+34.794X-1.362X² (R²=0.882), respectively. The best regression equations of laying rate of Beijing white quail, Korean quail and Chinese yellow quail to week-age were: Y=-162.468+25.068X-0.043X³ (R²=0.988), Y=-170.629+38.775X-1.503X² (R²=0.901) and Y=-115.539+32.834X-1.283X² (R²=0.835), respectively. The best regression equation of feed egg ratio of Beijing white quail was Y=34.482-4.695X+0.175X² (R²=0.929). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternative protein sources such as mopane worm (Imbrasia belina) meal (MWM) are essential for sustainable poultry production. To date, no studies have attempted to investigate the effect of replacing soybean products with MWM in Jumbo quail diets. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the optimum inclusion level of MWM in place of soybean products on feed intake, physiological and meat quality responses of Jumbo quails. A total of 384 two-week-old mixed-gender quails (71.2 ± 5.40 g live-weight) were allotted to four isoproteic and isocaloric dietary treatments formulated by replacing soybean products with MWM at 0 (MWM0), 50 (MWM5), 100 (MWM10), and 150 (MWM15) g/kg. Neither linear nor quadratic effects (P > 0.05) were observed for feed intake, physiological responses, carcass traits and internal organs except for large intestines, which linearly decreased (P < 0.05) with MWM levels. There were significant quadratic trends for meat redness (a*), yellowness (b*) and chroma values in response to MWM levels. No dietary influences (P > 0.05) were observed on feed intake, physiological responses, internal organ weights, and carcass and meat quality parameters, except on b*, chroma and shear force. Diets MWM5 and MWM10 promoted higher (P < 0.05) b* and chroma values than MWM0. Whereas diet MWM5 promoted the highest (P < 0.05) shear force (2.39 N) than diets MWM0 and MWM10. We concluded that MWM has the potential to replace soybean products in quail diets without compromising their performance, health and meat quality. An optimum MWM inclusion level could not be determined suggesting that higher levels of MWM should be further investigated.

The objective of this study was to determine the apparent and true digestibility coefficients and relative bioavailability of charru mussel, maçunim (Anomalocardia brasiliana) and oyster shells as organic calcium sources for meat quail. In the digestibility trial, 240 quail were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with five diets (calcitic limestone, calcium carbonate and three marine calcium sources), five replicates and eight quails per experimental unit. The relative bioavailability of calcium was determined by the standard-curve and slope ratio methods in a growth trial in which 288 European quail were distributed in completely randomized experimental design. Treatments consisted of basal diet with a low calcium concentration (0.166%) that was supplemented with two levels of calcium (0.342% and 0.684%) derived from different calcium sources. The apparent and true digestibility coefficients of calcium from charru mussel-, maçunim- and oyster-shell meals for meat quail were 91.85 and 92.04%; 91.71 and 91.90%; and 89.39 and 89.63%, respectively. The relative bioavailability of calcium from charru mussel-, maçunim- and oyster-shell meals obtained using standard-curve and slope ratio methods were 133.22 and 119.18%; 140.05 and 113.69%; and 141.73 and 106.22%, respectively, allowing the use of these organic calcium sources in diet formulations for meat quail.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of estrogen receptor gene (ESR) polymorphism on the growth traits of quails. PCR products were used to directly sequence the polymorphism of exon 4 of ESR gene in three quail populations (Chinese yellow quail, Korean quail, Beijing white quail) and analyze the association between ESR gene and growth traits of quails. The results show that three genotypes, CC, CT and TT, were detected in exon 4 of ESR1 gene in three quail populations. The highest frequencies of TT gene were 0.409 and 0.617 in China yellow quail and Korean quail, respectively. The highest frequencies of CC gene were 0.667 in Beijing white quail. For exon 4 of ESR1 gene in China yellow quail (P<0.05), the weight and tibial length of the TT genotype were significantly higher than the CT and CC genotype (P<0.05). Among Beijing white quail, the weight of CC genotype was significantly higher than that of CT and TT genotypes (P<0.05), and the sternum length of CC genotype was significantly higher than that of TT genotype (P<0.05). Among Korean quail, the body weight of CT genotype was significantly higher than that of CT and TT genotype (P<0.05), and the tibial length of CT genotype was significantly higher than that of TT genotype (P<0.05). It was found that exon 4 of ESR1 gene was significantly associated with body weight, tibial length and sternum length of egg quail (P<0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Populations of common quail (Coturnix coturnix) have recently been declining in Europe. This is the first study of common quail in eastern Europe using molecular markers. The mtDNA D-loop genetic diversity of common quails migrating through Ukraine was analyzed and compared with that of birds migrating via northern Spain in 2017-2018. In samples from 77 birds, 32 polymorphic sites and 30 haplotypes (H1-H30) were identified, only 4 of which were common for birds sampled in both Ukraine and Spain. Phylogenetic analysis indicated 2 well-supported clades. Found were 3 haplotypes clustered in 1 phylogenetic clade only in common quails sampled in Ukraine. The results can be used for the identification of different flyways, particularly for common quails of eastern European origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the development and growth of the digestive system organs, from the 11th day of incubation until the 14 d post-hatch in European and Japanese quail. On days 11, 13 and 15 of incubation at hatch and at 4, 7, 10 and 14 d post-hatch, embryos or chicks of European and Japanese quail were analyzed. After 15 d of incubation, samples from stomach and small intestine were analyzed by microscopy. European quail had significantly heavier body weight at 15 d of incubation and after 4 d post-hatch. The digestive system weight progressively increased with age and was similar between European and Japanese quail at 11, 13, and 15 d of incubation and 10 d post-hatch, while relative weight of digestive system was similar between quail type with great values at 4 d post-hatch. For relative weight of the small intestine + pancreas, the weight of the proventriculus and of the gastric ventricle increased significant by among ages analyzed in both types of quail. At hatch, proventriculus had functional secretory cells and mucosa of gastric ventricle had a thin coilin membrane. In small intestine segments, at 15 d of incubation the height of the villi was similar among duodenum, jejunum, and ileum (80 μm). Villi had elongated shape towards the intestinal lumen, covered by enterocytes and dispersed goblet cells with PAS+ and AB+ contend in all segments. The number of goblet cell/villi increased in segments until 7 to 10 d post-hatch. Duodenum increases the villi up to 14 d, while the jejunum and ileum up to 10 and 4 d, respectively. Based on our data in digestive system growth, a shorter period of post-hatch fast and specific diets to quail during first days of growth is recommended to both quail types. It is concluded that the development and growth of different organs of the digestive system up to 14 d of age was similar between European and Japanese quail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to estimate heritabilities and evaluate the existence of genotype-environment interactions for growth curve parameters in quail fed diets containing different threonine:lysine ratios. A total of 4,441 body weight information from two genetic quail groups (LF1 and LF2) fed diets containing 0.66%, 0.71%, 0.76%, 0.81%, and 0.86% threonine:lysine ratios from hatching to 21 d of age were evaluated. From 22 to 35 d of age, quail received a single diet. The Gompertz model was used to estimate growth curve parameters. Genetic analyses were performed using random regression models, by Legendre polynomials of the second kind, considering homogeneity of residual variances. The following characteristics were evaluated: asymptotic weight, asymptotic growth rate, and inflection point. Increases in threonine:lysine ratios promoted higher heritability estimates for these variables in the LF1 genetic group compared to LF2, which indicates that the additive genetic variation was modified due to the environmental variation influenced by the evaluated amino acid ratios, with differences between both genetic groups. Thus, it is recommended that quail be selected in the 0.86% ratio in genetic group LF1 and 0.66% in genetic group LF2, where greater heritabilities were observed. Dispersion of individual breeding values along the environmental gradient was observed for all evaluated characteristics, in both genetic groups, suggesting the existence of genotype-environment interactions for these variables. The evaluated amino acid ratios should be considered in quail breeding programs, since breeding value predictions for a determined threonine:lysine ratio are not valid for other ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphology of birds is rarely reported, hindering veterinary practice in these animals. The respiratory system is distinguished by the presence of air bags, a structure of fundamental importance to the birds, but very susceptible to diseases. Thus, the objective of this study was to describe the anatomy of the air sacs (AS) in quails regarding their topographical relationships. To this, fifteen quails that had their respiratory tract injected with Neoprene, stained and fixed in formalin 10% latex were dissected. Cervical AS is unique and has a middle portion located between the brachiocephalic arteries. The clavicular AS is also odd and starts near the first thoracic vertebrae. The cranial and caudal thoracic AS are lateral to the lung and medially to the ribs. The cranial thoracic AS goes from the dorsal lateral-cranial margin to the ventral margin of the liver, and the caudal thoracic AS goes from the fourth lateral-caudal margin of the liver to the cranial third of the abdominal AS. Abdominal AS goes from the liver to the base of the vent area. However, the air sacs in quails studied in this research follow a topographic pattern, forming diverticula between adjacent organs. Keywords: birds; Coturnix coturnix; respiratory system; sintopy.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do caldo de cana desidratado (CCD) no desempenho, na qualidade de carcaça e no índice econômico de codornas ( Coturnix coturnix) europeias, no período de 22 a 42 dias de idade. Foram utilizadas 192 codornas de corte com 22 dias de idade, distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições de oito aves. Foram adicionados 0, 1,5, 3,0 e 4,5% de CCD na ração. Avaliou-se a viabilidade econômica da inclusão dos níveis de CCD nas rações por meio da margem bruta relativa das dietas. No período de 29 a 35 dias de idade, houve efeito linear crescente para o consumo de ração com o aumento de CCD na ração. No entanto, houve efeito quadrático dos níveis de CCD sobre o peso da carcaça, da coxa+sobrecoxa e da gordura abdominal, e os níveis ótimos estimados foram de 1,69, 2,50 e 2,34%, respectivamente. Houve efeito linear decrescente dos níveis de CCD sobre o peso de peito com e sem pele. A análise econômica indicou maior lucro ao produtor com uso da ração convencional. Entretanto, entre os níveis de inclusão de CCD, o de 1,5% apresentou os melhores resultados, com uma diferença de 0,47% na margem de lucro em relação à ração convencional. A adição de 1,69 e 2,50% de caldo de cana desidratado na ração é recomendada para atingir maior peso de carcaça e coxa+sobrecoxa em codornas de corte, respectivamente.

ABSTRACT: The objective was to estimate the most appropriate digestible methionine + cysteine:lysine ratios for growing meat-type quails (Coturnix coturnix) from 1 to 21 days of age. Quails were fed with a basal ration deficient in digestible methionine + cysteine, with five levels of DL-methionine, in substitution of glutamic acid and starch, resulting in digestible methionine + cysteine:lysine ratios of 0.61, 0.66, 0.71, 0.76 and 0.81. Feed and methionine + cysteine intake, body weight gain, feed conversion and uniformity were assessed. From 1 to 7 days, an increasing linear effect was observed for feed and methionine + cysteine intake, body weight gain, and uniformity, and a linear decrease for feed conversion. From 8 to 14 days, the 0.70 methionine + cysteine: lysine ratio was the best for feed intake and body weight gain, and for uniformity, the 0.75 methionine + cysteine:lysine ratio was the most appropriate. For methionine + cysteine intake and feed conversion, an increasing and decreasing linear adjustment was observed, respectively. From 15 to 21 days, an increasing linear effect was observed for feed and methionine + cysteine intake and body weight gain; a decreasing linear effect was observed for feed conversion. The 0.81 ratio was the most efficient for feed conversion during all evaluated experimental periods. In conclusion, the 0.81 dietary methionine + cysteine:lysine ratio is the most appropriate for meat-type quails during the first 21 days of age.

RESUMOObjetivou-se com o presente trabalho ajustar modelos não lineares para descrever o padrão de crescimento de genótipos de codornas de corte e de postura do nascimento aos 35 dias de idade. Foram utilizados dados de 1280 codornas machos e fêmeas, provenientes de sete genótipos de codornas de corte (EV1, EV2, UFV1, UFV2, UFV3, LF1, LF2) e um de postura. Todas as codornas foram pesadas a cada sete dias, do nascimento aos 35 dias de idade. Foram ajustados os modelos Brody, Gompertz, Logístico, Richards e von Bertalanffy aos dados de peso corporal de todos os genótipos. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas utilizando-se o PROC NLIN do SAS (Statistical Analysis System, versão 9.0). Os critérios empregados para a escolha do melhor modelo para descrever a curva de crescimento foram o coeficiente de determinação ajustado (R2), o desvio padrão assintótico (DPA), o desvio médio absoluto dos resíduos (DMA), o índice assintótico (IA), o critério de informação bayesiano (BIC), o critério de Akaike (AIC) e o quadrado médio do erro (QME). Todos os modelos não lineares testados convergiram, com exceção do modelo Brody, que não convergiu para nenhum genótipo avaliado. O modelo Richards não convergiu para o genótipo postura. Os parâmetros da curva de crescimento estimados pelos modelos indicaram maior precocidade, em geral, do genótipo postura comparado aos demais genótipos. O modelo Richards apresentou superestimação do ponto de inflexão para todos os genótipos, exceto para o genótipo postura. Os modelos Gompertz, Logístico e von Bertalanffy são recomendados para descrever o crescimento de codornas de corte dos grupos genéticos em estudo. O modelo Brody não convergiu, por isso não é recomendado para descrever o crescimento dos grupos genéticos de codornas em estudo.

Objetivou-se com este trabalho comparar e correlacionar as características de desempenho e de carcaça em codornas de corte do nascimento aos 35 dias de idade. Foram utilizadas 1176 codornas de um dia, machos e fêmeas, de sete genótipos de codornas de corte (EV1, EV2, UFV1, UFV2, UFV3, LF1 e LF2), distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com ensaio fatorial 7x2 (genótipo x sexo), em sete repetições com 12 codornas por unidade experimental. As codornas foram pesadas individualmente do nascimento aos 35 dias de idade, em intervalos semanais. Aos 35 dias de idade, dois machos e duas fêmeas de cada genótipo e repetição foram amostrados e abatidos para avaliação do peso de carcaça e dos cortes nobres. As análises estatísticas foram conduzidas utilizando-se o procedimento GLM e CORR com a opção MANOVA do SAS para avaliar as diferenças entre os genótipos e a correlação entre as variáveis. Não houve interação (P≥0,05) entre genótipo e sexo para as características de desempenho (peso e ganho de peso nas diferentes idades). Entretanto, houve efeito significativo da interação genótipo x sexo (P

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o desempenho de quatro linhagens (L1, L2, L3 e L4) de codornas de corte em cruzamentos dialélicos. O presente estudo foi realizado nas instalações do Programa de Melhoramento de Codornas do Departamento de Zootecnia da UFVJM, no período de 16 de dezembro de 2011 a 26 de janeiro de 2012. Foram avaliados o peso corporal médio ao nascimento, aos 35 e aos 42 dias de idade; o consumo médio de dieta e a conversão alimentar do nascimento aos 35 dias e do nascimento aos 42 dias de idade. As análises dialélicas foram desenvolvidas de forma univariada, considerando-se a metodologia de dialelos completos, a partir das médias das combinações genotípicas resultantes de um experimento inteiramente ao acaso com três repetições. A capacidade geral de combinação foi significativa para todas as características avaliadas, com exceção do consumo médio de dieta e da conversão alimentar do nascimento aos 35 dias de idade. Houve efeito significativo da capacidade específica de combinação sobre o peso corporal ao nascimento (L2xL3; L2xL4; L1xL4); conversão alimentar do nascimento aos 35 dias (L1xL3; L2xL4) e do nascimento aos 42 dias (L1xL3; L2xL3; L2xL4); consumo médio de dieta do nascimento aos 35 dias de idade (L1xL3; L2xL3), o que permitiu a identificação de combinações híbridas mais favoráveis. O efeito recíproco foi significativo apenas sobre o peso ao nascimento. Com base na capacidade geral de combinação, as linhagens mais favoráveis para peso corporal foram a L1 e a L2. Para a conversão alimentar, pela capacidade específica de combinação, os cruzamentos L1xL3 e L2xL4 apresentaram o melhor resultado, enquanto para o consumo de dieta do nascimento aos 35 dias de idade, os cruzamentos L1xL3 e L2xL3 são os mais indicados.

Seaweeds are functional aquatic plants that can be used in Jumbo quail ( Coturnix sp.) feeds as sources of phytochemicals and nutrients. However, no studies have investigated the feed value of green seaweed ( Ulva sp.) meal (SM) for the Jumbo quail. Thus, the impact of different dietary inclusion levels of SM on productive traits, serum biochemistry, haematology, visceral organ sizes, carcass features, and meat quality attributes in Jumbo quail was investigated. In a completely randomised design, one-week-old quail (n = 385; 67.7 ± 3.44 g body weight) were allotted to five treatments, with seven replicate pens (experimental unit). The treatments were produced by including 0 (SM0), 20 (SM20), 40 (SM40), 60 (SM60) and 80 g/kg (SM80) of green SM in a commercial grower diet. Regression results showed no linear or quadratic effects (P > 0.05) to different levels of SM for average weekly feed intake, overall weight gain, haematological indices, internal organs, carcass features, and meat quality characteristics of the birds. However, incorporating SM up to 80 g/kg in the diet linearly reduced overall gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) [R 2  = 0.282; P = 0.0001] and slaughter weights [R 2  = 0.159; P = 0.026]. Treatment SM80 promoted (P < 0.05) higher feed intake than diet SM60 in weeks 3, 4 and 5, but were comparable to the control treatment in weeks 4 and 5. Birds fed with diets SM0 and SM20 had higher (P < 0.05) overall weight gain than birds fed with diet SM60. Diet SM80 resulted in lower (P < 0.05) overall G:F (0.250) than diet SM0 (0.277). Higher slaughter weights were observed on SM0 and SM20 groups than the SM60 group. We concluded that the use of dietary green SM up to 80 g/kg in Jumbo quail feeds compromises gain-to-feed ratio and slaughter weights but not physiological and meat quality attributes., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of broken rice inclusion as substitute for corn in the diet on the performance, carcass yield, and economic viability of meat-type quails between 7 and 49 days of age. A number of 288 quails was distributed according to a completely randomized design into six treatments with six replicates of eight birds each. Treatments consisted of increasing levels of broken rice (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%) in replacement of corn. Increasing levels of corn substitution by broken rice in the diet of 7- to 49-day-old meat-type quails did not affect feed intake, weight gain or feed conversion ratio (p>0.05). Relative to carcass traits, the inclusion of broken rice in the diets did not influence (p>0.05) dressing percentage or breast, leg (thigh+drumstick), liver, and gizzard yields. Moreover, feed cost per kilogram of live weight gain, cost index, and economic efficiency index were not influenced by the replacement of corn by broken rice in the diets. The performance, carcass traits and economic viability of broilers fed the different levels of broken rice inclusion were not different from the control group (p>0.05). These results indicate the economic viability of total replacement of corn by broken rice in the feeding of meat-type quails.

Özet: Bu çalışmanın amacı, farklı omurgalı türlerinin (Mus musculus, Coturnix coturnix ve Salmo trutta) sindirim kanalının bazı bölgelerinin histolojik yapısı ve mukus hücrelerindeki glikoproteinlerinin histokimyasal tekniklerle belirlemektir. Çalışmada, Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Zootekni Bölümü Kanatlı Hayvan Yetiştirme biriminden 2 adet 4-6 aylık yetişkin bıldırcın (Coturnix coturnix), yetiştirme havuzundan 2 adet alabalık (Salmo trutta) ve Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Deney Hayvanı Üretimi ve Deneysel Araştırma Laboratuvarından 2 adet fare (Mus musculus) temin edildi. Alabalıkta uygulanan histokimyasal boyamaların tüm bölgelerde pozitif reaksiyon gösterdiği özelliklede kardiya ve fundus bölgesinde boyanmanın daha güçlü olduğu gözlendi. Bıldırcın mide ve bağırsaklarında sülfatlı mukosubstans içeriğinin fazla olduğu saptandı. Yapılan histokimyasal uygulamalarda farede lamina epitelyalis ve bezlerde boyanmaların çok güçlü olduğu tespit edildi. Sonuç olarak histokimyasal incelemelerde alabalık ve farede nötral mukosubstans içeriğinin, bıldırcında ise sülfatlı mukosubstans içeriğinin diğer mukosubstanslara göre biraz daha yoğun olduğu tespit edildi. Anahtar kelimeler: Coturnix coturnix, Glikoprotein, Histokimya, Mus musculus, Salmo trutta Histological and Histochemical Structure of the Some of Digestive Tract Area in Different Vertebrate Species Summary: In the present observation, histochemical methods were utilized to understand the structural organization and to categorize the diverse classes of glycoproteins eleborated by the epithelium in various regions of digestive tract in different vertebrate species (Mus musculus, Coturnix coturnix and Salmo trutta) In the study, two units adult 4-6 months old quail (Coturnix coturnix) were obtained from Suleyman Demirel University, Department of Animal Science poultry rearing, two trout (Salmo trutta) were provided from breeding pool, two mouse (Mus musculus) were provided from Suleyman Demirel University Experimental Animal Production and Experimental Research Laboratories. In trout, histochemical staining showed a positive reaction in all areas but especially reaction was more powerful in cardia and fundus region. Sulphated mucosubstances were intense in stomach and intestines in quail. In mouse, histochemical apllications were most strong in the lamina epitheliyalis and glands of all region. As a result of histochemical investigations, neutral mucosubstance were more intense than other mucosubstance in trout and mouse, but sulphated mucosubstances were intense in quail. Key words: Coturnix coturnix, Glycoprotein, Histochemistry, Mus musculus, Salmo trutta.

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O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a estabilidade oxidativa do farelo integral de arroz parboilizado (FIAP) durante o armazenamento e os efeitos do seu uso na alimentação de codornas de corte. Foram utilizados 245 animais com sete dias de idade, de ambos os sexos, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos, em arranjo fatorial 2x2+1, e sete repetições de sete aves. Avaliaram-se os seguintes tratamentos: dieta controle, sem adição de FIAP; e níveis de inclusão, na dieta controle, de 10 e 20% de FIAP armazenado por 180 dias (FIAPA) ou de FIAP novo (FIAPN). Houve oxidação lipídica do FIAP durante o armazenamento, e o índice de acidez foi de 4,25 e 63,50 (% em ácido oleico) e o de peróxido foi de 15,64 e 38,28 meq kg-1 para FIAPN e FIAPA, respectivamente. A inclusão do FIAP resultou em menor digestibilidade da matéria seca e do nitrogênio e em maior valor de energia metabolizável da ração, em comparação à ração controle. A inclusão de 20% de FIAPA resultou em menor energia metabolizável da ração do que a adição do FIAPN. As inclusões não influenciaram desempenho, características da carcaça, pesos relativos do fígado e do pâncreas, e crescimento e qualidade óssea. O FIAPA, mesmo com rancidez, pode ser utilizado na alimentação de codornas de corte em níveis de até 20% de inclusão.

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o peso e rendimento de carcaça e cortes de codornas por meio da metodologia de cruzamentos dialélicos. Foram utilizadas quatro linhagens de codornas de corte, denominadas L1, L2, L3 e L4. O sistema de cruzamento proporcionou 16 grupos de progênies, sendo quatro parentais (puros), seis mestiços F1 e seis mestiços F1 recíprocos, alojadas em bateria experimental em três repetições. Aos 42 dias de idade, cinco machos de cada unidade experimental foram escolhidos ao acaso e destinados ao abate, para avaliação do peso aos 42 dias de idade, peso e rendimento de carcaça, do peito, das pernas e das asas. A análise dialélica foi desenvolvida de forma univariada, considerando-se a metodologia de dialelos completos, incluindo as p² combinações das linhagens, a partir das médias das combinações genotípicas. As análises de capacidade combinatória mostraram significância para capacidade geral de combinação (CGC) para peso corporal, da carcaça, peito, pernas e asas, enquanto a capacidade específica de combinação (CEC) foi significativa apenas para o peso e rendimento de pernas. Os quadrados médios da CGG apresentaram, de forma geral, valores maiores que da CEC, revelando a predominância de efeitos aditivos na expressão dessas características, o que indica que melhorias nestas características podem ser conseguidas por meio de processos de seleção intrapopulacional. As linhas L1, L2 e L4 apresentaram valores positivos para CGC em praticamente todas as características avaliadas, e podem ser consideradas superiores à média das linhagens envolvidas no dialelo, sendo, portanto, favoráveis para proporcionarem aumento nas características avaliadas. Foi observado maior efeito dos genes aditivos, indicando que a seleção das linhas puras pode trazer ganhos satisfatórios, sendo a linha L2 a mais promissora, com base em sua capacidade geral de combinação. Para peso de pernas, o cruzamento L2xL4 seria o mais indicado e, para o rendimento de pernas, o cruzamento L1xL4, com base na capacidade específica de combinação.