Variation among lines selected for body size in the fractional rate of degradation of protein and acid protease activity in the muscle of quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The changes in body temperature, oxygen consumption, CO2 production and muscle protein turnover rate by selection for body size in Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica

1. Body temperature, oxygen consumption, CO2 production and muscle protein degradation rate were measured in the three quail lines selected for body size, a random bred line (RR) and two lines selected for large (LL) or small (SS) body size. 2. The body temperature at 15 weeks of age was highest for small body size line and lowest for large body size line. 3. The body temperature, oxygen consumption and CO2 production of females were significantly higher than that of males. 4. The fractional degradation rate of muscle protein of SS, RR and LL lines were measured as 2.4, 1.6 and 1.2% per day in male, and 2.6, 1.7 and 1.4% per day in female.