Effect of Active Dried Yeast on Intestine Development,Intestinal Flora and Serum Cholesterol Mass Concentration of Quails

[ Objective] The experiments aimed to investigate the effect of dietary active dried yeast on intestine development, intestinal flora and serum cholesterol mass concentration of quails. [ Method] One-day-old 180 quails were randomly divided into 4 groups, 3 repetitions, each with 15 quails. Control group was fed with basic dietary, while experimental groups were added with 0.6, 1,2 g/kg active dried yeast respectively in basic dietary, [ Result] Addition of active dried yeast had little effect on quails＇ intestine development（ P 〉0.05）. With the increasing adding amount active dried yeast, the number of colibacillus decreased significantly （P 〈0.05） while lactobacillus content increasing sharply （P 〈 0.05）. Dietary with 1 and 2 g/kg active dried yeast can significantly decrease the mass concentration of cholesterol in serum （ P 〈 0.05）. [ Conclusion ] Adding active dried yeast in feed can decrease the number of colibacillus while increasing lactobacillus content in intestinal tract of quails, also can low serum cholesterol mass concentration.

Enrichment of Organic-Inorganic Se and Vitamin E in Quail Products and Its Effect on the Performances and Source of Antioxidant in Quails＇ Eggs

This study aimed to get an optimum level of combined organic selenium, inorganic selenium and vitamin E in obtaining the best production and reproduction of quails as well as the highest antioxidant level in quail eggs. Seven hundred twenty quails （360 females and 360 males） at the age of six weeks old were used in this research. Nine treatment diets were： To （commercial diet/control）, Tl （diet containing 0.46 ppm inorganic Se ＋ 43.50 ppm vitamin E）, T2 （diet containing 0.46 ppm inorganic Se ＋ 87.00 ppm vitamin E）, T3 （diet containing 0.92 ppm inorganic Se ＋ 43.50 ppm vitamin E）, T4 （diet containing 0.92 ppm inorganic Se ＋87.00 ppm vitamin E）, Ts （diet containing 0.46 ppm organic Se ＋ 43.50 ppm vitamin E）, T6 （diet containing 0.46 ppm organic Se ＋ 87.00 ppm vitamin E）, T7 （diet containing 0.92 ppm organic Se ＋ 43.50 vitamin E） and Ts （diet containing 0.92 ppm organic Se 0.92 ＋ 87.00 ppm vitamin E）. The design of the experiment was a factorial nested design. Any significant differences among the treatments were analyzed by using Duncan＇s test. The results of this study indicated that 0.92 ppm organic selenium ＋ 43.50 ppm vitamin E （T7） in general gave the highest content of selenium in meat, in egg albumin, and in egg yolk as well as hatchability. The antioxidants as represented by vitamin E and glutathione peroxidase enzyme in the quail eggs were significantly higher as compared to that of quails fed other treatment diets.

Antibacterial Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Zehneria scabra on Quails Artificially Infected with Salmonella Enteritidis

Antimicrobial use in livestock is faced with various challenges including emergence of antimicrobial resistance and presence of drug residues in meat products,hence the need for alternatives.The aim of this work was to assess the effect a plant(Zehneria scabra)extract on Salmonella infected quails,as an alternative to antibiotic therapy.Quails were randomly assigned into six groups each containing twelve birds.The neutral control(T0)group was not infected and received tap water whereas other groups were infected.The negative control(T-)received tap water.The positive control(T+)received a single dose of oxytetracycline(20 mg/kg).T1,T2 andT3 orally received the plant extract at the following respective doses:9,18 and 37 mg/kg.Quails were infected by oral administration of a single dose of Salmonella Enteritidis(10^(5)CFU).Haematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated.From day 2 to day 9 to day 16,the bacterial load of all treatment groups(T+,T1,T2,T3)decreased.The infection resulted in a significant(p<0.05)increase in serum levels of alanine aminotransferase,triglycerides,total cholesterol and white blood cells,and a significant decrease in the liver and kidney protein content.The treatment resulted in the correction of the aforementioned effects.The plant extract(18 mg/kg)is as effective as oxytetracycline,and can be safely used in phytomedicine for the treatment of Salmonella Enteritidis infection without kidney and liver damage.

Effects of Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) Leaf Meal on Performance, Carcass, Organs, Eggs and Meat of Japanese Quails

There are several reports on the utilisation of Moringa oleifera in poultry diets due to its essential bioactive compounds yet,little is known about its influence on Japanese quail eggs and meat qualities.Hence,the need to examine performance,eggs and meat qualities of Japanese quail hens fed M.oleifera leaf.To achieve this,240 Japanese quail chicks were allocated to three dietary treatments:D1:control,0.0%(without M.oleifera leaf meal),D2:(0.5%M.oleifera leaf meal)and D3:(1%M.oleifera leaf meal).Data on performance,carcass,organs,eggs and meat qualities were collected and subjected to ANOVA at 0.05.Results revealed that feed consumption was lowest(2,701g)in D1 and highest(2,800g)in D2,carcass weight varied from 100-100.67g,thigh weight(12.66-13.58g)and breast weight was highest(40.41g)in D3.Liver weight was lowest(3.25g)in D1,kidney was largest(0.91g)in D3 whereas,the heart,gizzard and spleen weights ranged from 1.00-1.16g,3.08-3.50g and 0.04-0.08g,respectively.In the eggs,crude protein(10.94%),crude fat(6.71%),ash(1.36%),high-density lipoprotein(96.12mg/100g)and low-density lipoprotein(120.67mg/100g)were highest in D1.Total cholesterol(364.08mg/100g)and triglycerides(147.27mg/100g)were least in D1 and the caloric value varied from 1.46-1.47kcal/g.In the meat,crude protein(17.14%)and energy value(1.96kcal/g)were best in D2 but,crude fat(12.62%),ash(2.85%)and carbohydrates(1.31%)were superior in D3.In both eggs and meat,no crude fibre(0.0%)was detected.In any case,all the parameter values were within the normal ranges given in healthy Japanese quails at similar age.Consequently,addition of M.oleifera leaf meal at 1.0%to Japanese quail diets might not depress performance,affect carcass quality,cause organs dysfunctions but may improve nutritional quality of the eggs and meat.

Effects of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicines on Blood Ions and Enzymes of Egg-laying Hens Under Heat Stress

[Objective] This study was conducted to investigate the effects of tradi- tional Chinese herbal medicines on blood biochemical indices of egg-laying hens under heat stress and to provide theoretical basis for clinical application of the medicines. [Method] One hundred of 88-day-old ISA-Brown hens were randomly di- vided into five groups. The hens in four groups were administrated with Prescription I herbal medicines, Prescription II herbal medicines, Vc and blank control under ar- tificially simulated heat stress, respectively. The last group was raised under normal temperature condition. Blood samples of the hens were collected on 1, 4, 8 and 10 d later and detected for their biochemical indices. [Result] The blood sodium （Na）, phosphorus （P）, potassium （K） and chlorine （CI） concentrations in hens under heat stress were decreased, while the activities of alanine aminotransferase （ALT）, lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） and creatine kinase （CK） were increased. These indices grad- ually returned to normal levels after the use of traditional Chinese herbal medicines. [Conclusion] The herbal medicines can relieve the adverse effects caused by heat stress to blood biochemical indices via different metabolic pathways of ions and en- zymes.

一株鹌鹑源禽流感病毒A/quail/Jilin/7/2015(H9N2)的遗传进化分析和致病性研究

为探究从死亡鹌鹑肺脏分离鉴定出的1株H9N2亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)A/quail/Jilin/7/2015(简称QA/JL/7/15)在流感病毒生态分布中的进化关系,本研究对QA/JL/7/15株进行了全基因序列测定,并结合Gen Bank中登录的代表性H9N2亚型流感病毒的基因组序列及其它参考株序列进行了遗传进化分析。结果显示,QA/JL/7/15为一株重组病毒,血凝素基因(HA)来自A/chicken/Jiangsu/1/00类病毒株;神经氨酸酶(NA)来自A/chicken/Guangxi/KMIII/1999类病毒株;PB2基因来自A/duck/Shantou/163/2004类病毒株;PB1、PA、NP和NS基因来自A/chicken/Shanghai/F/98类病毒株;M基因来自A/Quail/Hong Kong/G1/97类病毒株。HA基因与近年中国湖北分离株A/chicken/Hubei/R386/2012(H9)的核苷酸序列同源性最高(98.5%),HA裂解位点推导氨基酸序列为"-RSSR-",为典型低致病性AIV的特征序列,动物实验也显示该病毒株对鸡和小鼠呈现低致病性。本研究首次证实H9N2重组病毒株在我国鹌鹑中出现,为AI防控提供了实验依据。

Abdominal Fat Accumulation with Hyperuricemia and Hypercholesterolemia Quail Model Induced by High Fat Diet

Objective To establish abdominal fat accumulation with hyperuricemia and hypercholesterolemia quail model fed with high fat diet. And then to investigate the pathological characteristics of this quail model. Methods Thirty Longcheng quails were randomly divided into two groups： control group and model group （n=15）. The control group quails were fed with normal diet and model group quails were fed with high fat diet for 14 days. After a 12-hour overnight fast, liver and abdominal fat at euthanasia as well as serum were collected. The levels of serum uric acid, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）, low density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）, triglyceride, free fatty acid （FFA）, and blood glucose were assayed. The activity changes of adenosine deaminase （ADA）, xanthine oxidase （XOD）, lipoprotein lipase （LPL）, hepatic lipase （HL）, and fatty acid synthetase （FAS） were analyzed. Results Compared with control group, the abdominal fat content （0.74±0.63 vs. 1.36±0.65 g, P〈0.05） and abdominal fat index （0.44%±0.30% vs. 0.85%±0.30%, P〈0.01） as well as live lipid index （3.61%±0.65% vs. 11.33%±2.14%, P〈0.01） in model group significantly increased; the levels of serum uric acid （210.61±94,76 vs. 304.25±141.94 /amol/L, P〈0.05）, total cholesterol （4.20±0.51 vs. 20.10±11.25 mmol/L, P〈0.01）, LDL-C （1.16±0.29 vs. 10.78±6.48 mmol/L, P〈0.01）, and FFA （0.39±0.14 vs. 0.55±0.15 mmol/L, P〈0.01） in model group significantly increased; HDL-C （5.85±0.95 vs. 4.14±2.03 mmol/L, P〈0.05） significantly decreased; the levels of triglyceride and blood glucose had no significant changes （P〉0.05）; the activities of ADA （9.71±3.05 vs. 17.19±5.10 U/ml, P〈0.01） and XOD （10.58±6,88 vs. 19.22＋9.44 U/L, P〈0.01） in model group significantly increased; and FAS, LPL, HL had no significant changes （P〉0.05）. Conclusions High fat diet can induce abdominal fat accumulation with hyperuricemia and hypercholesterolemia quail model. The changes of uric acid and lipid metabolic enzyme activities may he the pathological mechanism of abdominal fat accumulation with hyperuricemia and hypercholesterolemia.

Effection of Lead Poisoning and Newcastle Disease Vaccine on Development of Egg Yellow Feather Quail

[ Objective] To investigate the effects of Newcastle disease vaccination and lead exposure on growth and development of egg yellow feather quail. [ Method] Ninety 14-day-old quails were assigned randomly to 10 groups （ n = 9）, and they fed and drunk at liberty. A 2 ×5 factorial design was used. The quail immunized with ND vaccine and those non-immunized were exposed to lead at a dosage of 0, 50,500, 1 000 and 2 000 mg/L, respectively. [Result] The ND immunization reduced body weight significantly （ P 〈 0.01 ） and increased liver index and serum levels of hy- aluronic acid in quail within 1 -2 weeks post inoculation. The quail exposed to 2 000 mg/L lead acetate had significantly lower body weight than the control （ P 〈 0.01 ）. From 7 weeks old, the same inhibitory effect was observed in the quail＇exposed to lead at different dosages （ P 〈 0.01 ）. In addition, the lead poisoning could cause decreased feed intake, depilation, gonadal dysgenesis, and increased serum levels of hyaluronic acid. [ Conduslon] The inhibitory effect of ND vaccination on growth of quail occurs within 1 -2 weeks post inoculation; thus, the effects of immune stress should not be worried in quail production. The lead poisoning has significant effects on body weight and feed intake of quail, and lead dosage and duration affect the inhibitory effects of lead. Gonadal dysgenesis is an important indicator of lead poisoning in. quail. The serum levels of hyaluronic acid can be used to determine whether the quail have been immunized with ND vaccine or have contacted lead pollutants.

Effects of Immunization Against Inhibin on Egg-Laying Performance in Magang and Landaise Geese

This study aimed to improve egg-laying performance in incubating Magang geese of Guangdong origin and Landaise geese of French origin. In experiment 1, 50 adults, egg-laying Magang geese were inoculated intramuscularly （i.m.） on days 0, 22, and 45 with 1 mL of immunogen containing 1 mg of recombinant chicken inhibin fusion protein. Immunization significantly increased blood antibody titers against inhibin fusion protein, but did not affect the egg-laying performance within 10 days after the first inoculation. From day 15, the egg-laying rate in inhibin-immunized group increased and was significantly higher than the values of control geese from day 40 to 55. However, the reverse was true from day 55 to 75 when more immunized geese developed incubation. In the entire 120 days of the experiment, the immunized geese laid 17.3 eggs in contrast to 16.4 eggs laid by the control geese. From day 30 till the end of the experiment, weight of eggs in the control geese was significantly greater than that in inhibin-immunized birds. In experiment 2, 40 Landaise geese were immunized against inhibin, as described in experiment 1. These geese laid 9.0 eggs on average in contrast to 7.3 eggs laid by nonimmunized control geese over 90 days of egg laying. The above results demonstrated that immunization against recombinant chicken inhibin fusion protein improved egg-laying performance in geese, and the increment was higher in nonincubating geese.

Soya saponin improves egg-laying performance and immune function of laying hens

Background:Soya saponin(SS),an active compound in soybean meals,has been widely studied in the medical field.However,it was considered as an anti-nutritional factor in poultry diets.The objective of this experiment was to measure the effects of dietary SS using three dietary treatments on egg-laying performance and immune function of laying hens.Birds were fed a low soybean meal basal diet(CON),a low-SS diet(50 SS)containing 50mg/kg SS,or a high-SS diet(500 SS)containing 500 mg/kg SS for 10 weeks.At the end of the 5th and 10th week of the trial,samples were collected for analysis.Results:Results showed that with 50 mg/kg SS supplementation,the egg production rate,feed conversion ratio(FCR),and eggshell quality tended to be improved.Serum follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)and Interleukin-4(IL-4)levels were also elevated as well as the peripheral blood LPS stimulation index,the proportion of B lymphocytes,and antibody titer of bovine serum albumin(BSA).We also found that mRNA levels of follicle stimulating hormone receptor(FSHR)in ovarian,nuclear transcription factor kappa B(NF-κB),Transforming growth factor(TGF-β)and interferonγ(IFN-γ)in spleen were up-regulated at the end of the trial.Additionally,dietary 50 mg/kg SS improved the ileal flora via up-regulating the relative abundance of Lactobacillus,Romboutsia and Lactobacillus delbrueckii.Although the immune related indicators were improved with 500 mg/kg SS supplemented,it seemed to have a negative influence on the laying-performance.Specifically,serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),and the ratio of IFN-γto IL-4 were increased in the 500 SS group at the end of the trial.The m RNA levels of gonadotropin releasing hormone 1(GnRH1)in Hypothalamus,the estrogen related receptor(ERR)in ovaries were downregulated as well as the egg production rate during the trial with 500 mg/kg SS supplemented.Conclusions:The egg production performance was improved by dietary supplemented with 50 mg/kg SS via increasing ovarian FSHR transcription level and serum estrogen level.A beneficial shift in intestinal microflora was recorded,and the immune function of laying hens was also improved with 50 mg/kg SS supplementation.Surprisingly,the long-term supplementation of 500 mg/kg SS exerted a negative impact on the laying performance and physiological functions of the liver of laying hens.

Identification of the Sex of Earlier Embryos from Generic Hybrids of Chicken-Quail by Wpkci

In this study, a protocol was developed to identify the sex of earlier embryos of chicken （♂）-quail （♀） hybrids and successfully tested the sex proportion of each period （66-120 h）. We acquired cross bred eggs by artificial insemination, hatched them in the same batch according to the standard hatching condition of chicken, and collected earlier living embryos at 66, 72, 78, 84, 90, 96, 102, 108, 114, and 120 h randomly. We adopted RT-PCR protocol and multiple PCR, made the known sex quail as the external control, employed fl-actin as the internal control, and used primers that were designed according to conservative area of gene Wpkci of quail to identify the sex of earlier hybrid embryos. The results indicated that the primer of Wpkci can be used to identify the sex of hybrid embryos accurately; there were more male than female in earlier embryos, the sex proportion of earlier embryos compared with academic numerical value was significantly different （P〈0.01）, and there was no difference between different periods （P〉0.05）. In the present study, we concluded that a simple, fast, credible and stable protocol to identify the sex of earlier hybrids embryos had been established by using primer of Wpkci; in earlier embryos, the death rate of female was higher than that of male and there was no fluctuant peak.

Associations of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor (GnRHR) and Neuropeptide Y(NPY) Genes’Polymorphisms with Egg-Laying Traits in Wenchang Chicken

Single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNP） of chicken gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor （GnRHR） and neuropeptide Y （NPY） were selected to identify the genotypes of Wenchang （Chinese indigenous breed） chicken with restricton fragment length polymorphisms. The associations of the SNPs with the total egg production （NE）, average days of continual laying （ADCL）, and number of double-yolked eggs （DYE） traits were analyzed. The frequency of restriction enzyme A/a alleles in the population was for GnRHR 0.69 （Bpu1102 Ⅰ A） and 0.31 （Bpu1102 Ⅰ a） and for NPY 0.46 （Dra Ⅰ B） and 0.54 （Dra Ⅰ b）. Trait data from a total of 120 hens, which were purebred introduced from Hainan Province, China from one generation were recorded. Two significant effects of genes＇ marker were found： for GnRHR and number of eggs （dominant; t= 2.67, df= 116） and NPY and number of eggs （additive; t= 1.97, df= 116）. The current research supports the effects of GnRHR and NPY genes on egg-laying traits of chickens.

Effects of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Rhizomes Essential Oil on Some Reproductive Parameters in Laying Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

To assess the effect of ginger rhizomes essential oil on some reproductive parameters of laying birds, 80 female Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) aged 3 weeks and weighing between 120 - 130 g were randomly assigned into 4 dietary treatment groups in a completely randomized design. From 3 till 13 weeks, birds in group 1 (control) received distilled water orally (100 μl/kg body weight), while the other three test groups during the same period, received respectively by gavage 50, 100 and 150 μl of ginger roots essential oil per kg body weight. At 11 weeks old, eight birds per group in each treatment were randomly selected and slaughtered, blood samples collected for analysis. On the other hand, the remaining females were maintained 3 with one untreated male in identical boxes per treatment, for fertility assessment, eggs characteristics and hatchability traits. Throughout the experiment, biochemical parameters, eggs characteristics, fertility and hatchability traits were analyzed. No significant change (p > 0.05) was observed during the experimental period for body and relative ovary weights. Contrary, the relative uterus weight significantly increased (p < 0.05) in dose-dependent manner. The level of serum total proteins, LH, FSH and estradiol significantly increased (p < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. Also, fertility, hatchability of fertile eggs, total hatchability and chick’s weight significantly increased (p < 0.05) in birds received 100 and 150 μl/kg b.w compared to those of control group. On the other hand, embryonic mortality decreased significantly (p < 0.05) whatever the ginger rhizomes essential oil dose. It was concluded that ginger rhizomes essential oil enhances bird reproductive performances, proteins and reproductive hormone levels and hatchability traits in treated female quails.

Effects of Dietary Mannan Oligosaccharides and Calcium Formate on Performance and Egg Quality of Japanese Quail （Coturnixjaponica）

The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of dietary supplementation of mannan oligosaccharides （MOS）, extracted from yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and acidifier calcium formate （CF） on some performance parameters and egg quality characteristics of Japanese quail （Coturnixjaponica）. During the experimental period, which lasted 90 days, one hundred eighty three, 42-day-old quail, were distributed into 4 groups of 3 replications each and were placed in separate wire suspended cages. The birds of control group received a commercial feed, while the birds of the other 3 groups received the same feed, to which either 6 g CF kg^-1 or 1 g MOS kg^-1 or both 6 g CF kg^-1 plus 1 g MOS kg^-1 were added. The live weight, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio and mortality of birds were not significantly affected. The addition of MOS in the feed significantly （P 〈 0.05） increased palmitic acid percentage of egg yolk. Also, the addition of CF significantly （P 〈 0.05） decreased egg shape index and palmitic acid percentage of egg yolk. Furthermore, significant （P 〈 0.05） interaction between MOS and CF was observed on palmitic acid percentage, egg shape index and egg shell thickness. No significant effect was observed for egg： weight, specific weight, parts percentage （yolk, albumen, shell）, shell deformation, yolk diameter and yolk colour （L＊a＊b＊ colour space）.

Chromosomal Localization of a Quail Homeobox Gene: Quox-1

Quox 1 is an Antp like homeobox gene of quail embryo whose expression occurs throughout the developing central nevous system. Using a Dig labeled probe, we localized quox 1 gene on the terminal region of the long arm of quail's chromosome 1 by ISH.

Roles of Sex Steroids in the Crowings with Sexual and Non-Sexual Motivations in Female Japanese Quail, <i>Coturnix Japonica</i>

To examine the sex differences in the crowing behavior of the Japanese quail, we investigated the effects of sex steroids on calling behaviors using female birds, and the data were compared with those obtained in our previous study in male birds which was performed using the same experimental procedures as those in the present study. We injected the female quails daily from 11 to 41 days after hatching with testosterone propionate (TP), 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT;a non-aromatizable androgen), estradiol benzoate (EB) or vehicle, and examined their calling behaviors in both sexual and non-sexual contexts. In a non-sexual context of the birds being isolated in a recording chamber, androgens, either TP or DHT, induced crowing in place of distress calling while EB simply inhibited distress calling. These effects of sex steroids on the calling behaviors were almost identical to those in the male quails. In a sexual context of the birds being left undisturbed in their home cages, crowing was induced by chronic treatment with TP, but not either DHT or EB, suggesting that both estrogenic and androgenic actions are required to induce the sexually motivated crowing. Although these results were basically the same as those in the male quails, the crowing in the female quails occurred much less frequently compared to that of the male quails. These data suggest that in the Japanese quail, crowing behavior, when it is restricted to sexually motivated one, is quantitatively different between male and female in the responsiveness to sex steroids.

Effect of the Quail Phenotype and Breeding Age on Egg Laying and Characteristics

In order to evaluate the effect of phenotype and quail age on laying rate and egg characteristics, a study has been carried out in Ngaoundéré from February to August 2019. 216 quails were divided into 36 batches of 6 animals each (5 females and 1 male) according to age and phenotype. The experimental animals were white, spotted white, grey and brown phenotypes and were one, six and ten months old. Eggs were collected for three weeks between 8 pm - 4 pm and 4 pm - 8 pm, counted, weighed and measured. 15 eggs per phenotype were randomly selected, broken individually, which allowed the internal parameters to be evaluated. The main results show that the quails laid more eggs between 4 pm - 8 pm, the highest laying rate was obtained in quails at one moth of laying and the spotted white phenotype had a high laying rate (74.03%) compared to other phenotypes. At one month of breeding age, quails with the spotted white phenotype showed a higher laying rate (93.34%), brown (78.75%) and grey (74%) at six months and finally white (71%) at ten months. Weight, height, diameter and egg shape index did not vary with the quail phenotype. The highest egg volume (12.60 ml) was found in white quails. The shells of white spotted quails were thicker than those of other phenotypes. Grey quails laid eggs with the highest Haugh’s index and proportion of edible matter. Brown quail eggs were found to have a higher proportion of dry yolk matter. Dry matter and moisture content of albumen did not vary with the quail phenotype. Considering the results obtained, it has been concluded that spotted white phenotype quails are more suitable for reproduction as they presented the best egg-laying proportions of edible matter.

Calcium Participates in Secretion of Porphyrin from Shell Gland Epithelial Cells of Japanese Quail (<i>Coturnix coturnix japonica</i>)

To investigate factors involved in the secretion of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), a superficial eggshell pigment, from shell gland epithelial cells of Japanese quail, we cultured cells in Ham’s F12 medium with calcium chloride and quail plasma. The addition of hormones (prostaglandin F2α, progesterone, estradiol-17β) to the medium did not change the PpIX concentration in the culture supernatant, but changing the calcium chloride (CaCl2) concentration did: a lower concentration of CaCl2 led to a higher PpIX concentration;0 mM CaCl2 enhanced the secretion of PpIX from epithelial cells prepared at 5 or 7 mM CaCl2. The result suggests that a drop in concentration of CaCl2 mimics the end of shell calcification and stimulates rapid secretion of PpIX in vivo. Bovine serum albumin was almost as effective as quail plasma for PpIX secretion in culture, and would facilitate further study of the mechanism of PpIX secretion.

<i>In Vitro</i>Culture of Shell Gland Epithelial Cells in Japanese Quail (<i>Coturnix coturnix japonica</i>)

To investigate the secretion of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), superficial eggshell pigment, from shell gland cells of Japanese quail, the epithelial cells of the gland were collected and isolated for cultivation in vitro. An analysis of a peak for PpIX in the cells was performed using a fluorescence microplate reader. The measurement showed that PpIX has a peak of excitation wavelength at 410 nm and emission wavelength at 606 nm in the culture medium (HamF12 + 4% HCl). Volumes of PpIX in the medium after 4 hour culture of the cells were measured with a microplate reader using filter set of excitation wavelength 400/30nm and emission wavelength 620/40nm. However the cells did not secrete significantly PpIX during 4 hour incubation in this culture system, addition of quail plasma to the medium resulted in significantly higher secretion. A cultivation system in this study is able to use for the study on the mechanism of the secretion of eggshell pigment, PpIX from Japanese quail shell gland epithelial cells.