Age and sex-related differences in performance, carcass traits, hemato-biochemical parameters, and meat quality in Japanese quails

Leverage of lysozyme dietary supplementation on gut health, hematological, antioxidant, and immune parameters in different plumage-colors Japanese quails

The current study was conducted on two different feather-colored Japanese quail varieties (brown and white) to examine the impact of lysozyme (LZ) dietary supplementation on growth performance, hematological profile, serum lysozyme, phagocytic and antioxidant activities, along with the gut status and the relative expression of some antioxidant- and immune-related genes. Two forms of LZ; extracted from egg white (natural LZ (NLZ)), and the commercial LZ (CLZ) were included in this experiment. For each quail variety, 240 birds were randomly allocated into four groups with four replicates per group. The first group (control) ate the basal diet (BD) only. The other groups ate the BD supplemented with commercial lysozyme (CLZ, at 100 mg/kg diet), NLZ at 100 (NLZ1) and 200 (NLZ2) mg/kg diet. Different LZ treatments differentially modulated the quail's growth performance with significant increases in the final body weight of white-feathered quails fed the NLZ1 compared to other treatments. The NLZ2 and CLZ noticeably increased the total antioxidant activity (TA) in the white- and brown-feathered quails, respectively. Also, all LZ groups displayed distinct increases in the serum lysozyme and phagocytic activities. For gut status, both varieties exhibited increases in intestinal villi length and goblet cell count with significant reductions in the total lactobacillus, total coliform, and total bacterial counts. These effects were linked with marked modulations of SOD, CAT, GPX, andIL-1βgene expression levels in both quail varieties. Therefore, the LZ could differentially impact quail growth, immune and antioxidant status as well as gut health.

Mechanisms underlying reproductive responses of Japanese quails to heat stress conditions

Exposure to heat stress can cause a significant increase in the death rate and disease susceptibility of poultry birds, ultimately impacting the profitability of the poultry industry. Despite being a more economical choice, Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) are not immune to the harmful effects of heat stress. Quails may experience negative effects on their reproductive performance due to excessive reactive molecules caused by heat stress. However, they have developed various mechanisms to maintain their reproductive abilities in such conditions. The neuroendocrine system in birds plays a vital role in regulating their reproductive responses to thermal stress, and it is also connected to other environmental factors such as photoperiod that can impact their reproductive performance. Hormones are crucial in the complex interactions necessary for sexual maturation and reproductive responses to heat stress in Japanese quails living in stressful thermal conditions.

The influence of genotype and sex on carcass composition, meat quality, digestive system morphometry and leg bone dimensions in Japanese quails (C. coturnix japonica)

Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) have a high reproductive rate because they reach sexual maturity very early. This short rearing time results in increasing interest among breeders and consumers. The aim of the study was a comparative analysis of two genotypes and sexes of Japanese and Pharaoh quails and their impact on body weight, carcass composition, meat quality, digestive system morphometry and leg bone dimensions. The study involved 40 birds (10 females and 10 males), Japanese quail and Pharaoh quail, 42 days old. Quail genotype had an effect (P < 0.05) on body weight, carcass weight, and some percentage of carcass elements. In addition, there was a significant effect of quail genotype on intramuscular fat and water content of pectoral and leg muscles. The origin of the quails interacted (P < 0.05) with the lightness (L*), yellowness (b*), cutting work, hardness, springiness, chewiness, gumminess, fibre cross-sectional area, vertical fibre diameter, and perimysium thickness of pectoral muscle. In addition, genotype was found to influence some anatomical traits, such as the percentage of proventriculus, heart, and liver on body weight, lengths and diameters of duodenum, caeca, and colon, and most dimensions of leg bones (femur and tibia). The sex of the birds significantly (P < 0.05) affected body weight, carcass weight, percentage of skin with subcutaneous fat in the carcass, as well as water content, lightness (L*), and springiness, most microstructure characteristics of pectoralis muscle, and also water and protein contents, and yellowness (b*) of leg muscles. In addition, differences were found between males and females (P < 0.05) in terms of duodenum and caeca diameter, length of greatest and medial femur, and greatest length of tibia. It can be stated that in terms of body weight and carcass weight as well as some meat quality features (protein content, fat content, fiber cross-sectional area), the pharaoh quail was the better genotype, while in terms of the proportion of muscles in the carcass and selected meat quality features: hardness, gumminess, chewiness, Japanese quails turned out to be better.

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.

Effects of sex on meat quality traits, amino acid and fatty acid compositions, and plasma metabolome profiles in White King squabs

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of sex on meat quality and the composition of amino and fatty acids in the breast muscles of White King pigeon squabs. Untargeted metabolomics was also conducted to distinguish the metabolic composition of plasma in different sexes. Compared with male squabs, female squabs had greater intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition and lower myofiber diameter and hydroxyproline content, leading to a lower shear force. Female squabs also had higher monounsaturated fatty acid and lower n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid proportions in the breast muscle, and had greater lipogenesis capacity via upregulation of PPARγ, FAS and LPL gene expression. Moreover, female squabs had lower inosine 5'-monophosphate, essential, free and sweet-tasting amino acid contents. Furthermore, Spearman's correlations between the differential plasma metabolites and key meat parameters were assessed, and putrescine, N-acetylglutamic acid, phophatidylcholine (18:0/P-16:0) and trimethylamine N-oxide were found to contribute to meat quality. In summary, the breast meat of male squabs may have better nutritional value than that of females, but it may inferior in terms of sensory properties, which can be attributed to the lower IMF content and higher shear force value. Our findings enhance our understanding of sex variation in squab meat quality, providing a basis for future research on pigeon breeding.

Genome-Wide Association Study Revealed Putative SNPs and Candidate Genes Associated with Growth and Meat Traits in Japanese Quail

The search for SNPs and candidate genes that determine the manifestation of major selected traits is one crucial objective for genomic selection aimed at increasing poultry production efficiency. Here, we report a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for traits characterizing meat performance in the domestic quail. A total of 146 males from an F2 reference population resulting from crossing a fast (Japanese) and a slow (Texas White) growing breed were examined. Using the genotyping-by-sequencing technique, genomic data were obtained for 115,743 SNPs (92,618 SNPs after quality control) that were employed in this GWAS. The results identified significant SNPs associated with the following traits at 8 weeks of age: body weight (nine SNPs), daily body weight gain (eight SNPs), dressed weight (33 SNPs), and weights of breast (18 SNPs), thigh (eight SNPs), and drumstick (three SNPs). Also, 12 SNPs and five candidate genes (GNAL, DNAJC6, LEPR, SPAG9, and SLC27A4) shared associations with three or more traits. These findings are consistent with the understanding of the genetic complexity of body weight-related traits in quail. The identified SNPs and genes can be used in effective quail breeding as molecular genetic markers for growth and meat characteristics for the purpose of genetic improvement.

Does slaughter age affect amino acids and fatty acids profiles and health and nutritional values of male and female ROSS 308 broiler chicken breast muscle?

Chemical composition, amino acids (AAs), and fatty acid (FAs) profiles, and health and nutrition values of breast muscle of ROSS 308 broiler chickens were studied after being slaughtered at 28, 35, 42, and 49 d of age (n = 126 males and 126 females/slaughter age). The slaughter age significantly affected some AAs levels including glutamic acid, valine, isoleucine, histidine, and leucine, and some FAs level including capric acid, tetradecanoic acid, eicosanoic acid, total saturated fatty acids, 9-pentadecenoic acid, hexadecatetraenoic acid, α-linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, linoleic acid, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, adrenic acid, omega 6, sum polyunsaturated fatty acids (Ʃ PUFAs), and unsaturation index. Subsequently, the slaughter age significantly affected some health indexes including the n-6/n-3 ratio, thrombogenic index, hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio, and health-promoting index. Valine, leucine, isoleucine, histidine, and glutamic acid levels increased with increasing slaughter age until 35 d of age and then decreased with increasing slaughter age until 49 d of age. Moreover, the health indices of fatty acids were best at slaughter age of 35 d, followed by 49 d, and the lowest health-promoting indices were at 42 d, followed by 28 d. The sex did not affect (P ˃ 0.05) all the evaluating parameters including chemical composition, amino acid and fatty acid profiles, and related health indices. There was no significant interaction effect between sex and slaughter age in all evaluating parameters except in stearidonic acid level. In conclusion, amino acids and fatty acids profiles and health and nutritional values of male and female ROSS 308 broiler chicken breast muscle can be affected by slaughter age. The study provides valuable insights into the nutritional value of meat, including its composition, amino acid, and fatty acid profiles, and associated health indices, for both male and female fast-growing ROSS 308 broiler chickens, as the slaughter age increases.

Growth curve mixed nonlinear models in quails

Our aim was to evaluate the use and application of different nonlinear mixed models, as well as to compare them with approach in nonlinear fixed models, for describing the growth curve of meat-type quails according to gender. A total of 15,002 and 15,408 records of males and females were used, respectively. The body weights were regressed on age of the animals using nonlinear models (Brody; Gompertz; Logistic, Morgan-Mercer-Flodin, Richards and Von Bertalanffy). All model parameters were considered fixed, whereas parameters related to asymptotic weight and maturity rate were fitted as random effects. The Bayesian Information Criterion was used to find the model of best fit. For both genders, the model that used the Morgan-Mercer-Flodin function with the inclusion of asymptotic weight as a random effect was considered the best-fitting model because it reduced the residual variance and increased the accuracy. Based on the lower absolute growth rate and growth velocity of male quails compared to that of females, it can be inferred that males should be slaughtered later. Given the results of this study, it can contribute to the current knowledge about animal yield, specifically at the best moment to slaughter and, this sense, improv the quality genetic of the populations in time.

The comparison of two different plumage-color lines of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) disclosed a significant effect in increasing abdominal fat contents with increasing age

This study aimed to investigate the characteristic differences between the white and brown-feathered Japanese quails, by evaluating the carcass traits and egg fat content, blood parameters, and intestinal histopathological features. A total of 1200 1-day-old Japanese quail chicks of two varieties (brown and white-feathered) were used in this study. Live body weight and feed intake were reordered every week. At the 4^th week of age, 80 birds from each variety were slaughtered and carcass quality measurements and histopathological changes were recorded. After 6 weeks of age, eggs were collected, and egg quality was assessed. The results revealed that white-feathered quails had significantly heavier body weights and higher growth rates. At 4 weeks of age, females of the white-feather quail had significantly heavier slaughter, after de-feathering, and carcass weights. Remarkable variations between the studied quail varieties, with significant dominance of females in both varieties, at the level of water holding capacity, pH, and meat tenderness ascertained an obvious superiority of white-feathered quails compared to brown ones and indicated the higher tendency of the white quails for meat production. These results were linked with significant changes in biochemical profiles including lipids biomarkers, total protein, and Ca and phosphorus levels along with variations in the intestinal morphometry. It can be concluded that white-feathered quails had, in general, higher values of productivity compared with the brown-feathered ones during growing and laying periods.

Effect of in ovo creatine monohydrate on hatchability, post-hatch performance, breast muscle yield and fiber size in chicks from young breeder flocks

Younger broiler breeder flocks produce smaller eggs containing smaller yolks, with potentially lower energy reserves for the developing chick. Creatine is a naturally occurring energy source and is abundant in metabolically active tissues; providing this to chicks in ovo should provide additional energy to improve hatchability and post-hatch growth. Thus, post-hatch performance of male and female chicks hatched from younger breeder flocks supplemented with creatine monohydrate (CrM) in ovo was investigated. Four hundred eggs from Ross 308 breeder hens aged 27 to 29 wk were collected and at d 14 assigned to a treatment group and received 1) no injection, 2) 0.75% saline injection, or 3) 8.16 mg creatine monohydrate in 0.75% saline. At hatch 72 birds (24/treatment) were euthanized and BW, breast muscle, heart and liver weight were obtained, and breast muscle tissue was placed in 10% buffered formalin. Birds were then placed in raised metal pens (24 pens; 10-11 birds/pen; 8 replicates/treatment) and grown to d 42 with BW and pen feed intake measured once a week. At d 42, ninty-six birds were euthanized (2 male and 2 female/pen) and the process occurred as at hatch. Body composition was obtained for 48 birds (2/pen; 1 male,1 female) with a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanner. Breast muscle tissue was processed for histological analysis and breast muscle fiber parameters were analyzed by ImageJ. While not statistically significant, the CrM treatment group saw an improved hatch rate (CrM: 93.5%, Saline: 88.6%, Control: 88.8%) and reduced early post hatch mortality. Chicks given in ovo CrM had significantly increased creatine concentrations in both liver and heart tissue at hatch compared to those in the saline and control groups. BW, BW gain, and final body composition parameters were not statistically different between treatments and in ovo CrM did not affect breast muscle fiber number or area. The creatine injection likely improved the energy status of the growing embryo resulting in the improved hatch rate but leaving little reserves for post-hatch growth.

In vivo determination of domestic quail (Coturnix japonica) muscle development by ultrasonography as a function of energy levels

The aim was to evaluate the growth and meat production and some meat quality characteristics of domestic quail (Coturnix japonica) as a function of metabolizable energy (ME) levels in the diet and to adjust predicting equations in ratio to area pectoralis major muscle of the carcass through the ultrasound. Two hundred and seventy mixed sex quail from 7 to 49 days old were distributed in three treatments (7 to 21 days old, diets with 2700; 2900 and 3100 kcal ME/kg; from 21 to 49 days, diets with 2900, 3050 and 3200 kcal of ME/kg), with five replications per treatment. Ultrasonography was performed at 21; 35 and 49 days of age in the pectoralis major muscle to determine prediction equations through multiple linear regression. Feed intake (FI) and feed efficiency (FE) were linearly influenced (P < 0.05) by energy levels in both phases evaluated. Regarding sensory analysis, there was no interference of ME levels on sensory attributes. The equation for predicting breast area was Y = 0.00271*ME + 0.25411*Age-9.58002, R² = 74.25%. It is concluded that increasing the energy level of the feed from 2700 to 3100 kcal ME/kg reduces FI and improves the FE of quail. The increase in carcass fat from 35 days of age does not harm the physical and sensory characteristics of the meat. The ultrasonography in vivo of the M. pectoralis major, considering the age and energy level of the diet, made it possible to predict the pectoral muscle are a with higher reliability.

Effect of graded levels of dietary Bacillus toyonensis and Bifidobacterium bifidum supplementation on growth, carcass traits and ileal histomorphometry and microbiota of growing quails

This experiment investigated the role of graded dietary levels of two probiotic strains (Bacillus toyonensis; BT and Bifidobacterium bifidum; BB) on the growth rate, carcass traits, physiological and histological aspects of growing Japanese quail. One thousand and three hundred sixty one-day-old un-sexed Japanese quail chicks were distributed randomly into ten groups. The 1st group served as a control and fed the basal diet without supplement while the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th groups received the control diet supplemented with 0.05, 0.075, 0.10 and 0.125% BT, respectively. The 6th group fed the control diet plus 0.10% BB while the remaining groups (7th to 10th) received the basal diet incorporated with the previous levels of BT rich with 0.05% BB. Dietary supplementation of BT and/or BB increased body weight and gain; however, feed intake and feed conversion were not affected. Amylase activity was significantly elevated in 5th, 7th and 9th groups, while lipase activity was improved in all treatment groups except 3rd and 6th groups. Results obtained concluded that dietary supplementation of BT with or without BB is useful for performance, digestive enzyme activities, blood cholesterols, antioxidant status and ileal histomorphometry and microbiota of growing Japanese quail.

Efficiency of lysine utilization by growing meat quail

The objective of present study was to estimate the efficiency of lysine utilization by meat quail of 21 to 35 d of age. A total of 500 meat quails were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement, with 2 sexes (male and female) and 5 digestible lysine levels (0.714, 0.816, 0.918, 1.020, and 1.122%) and 5 replications of 10 birds each. The variables studied were feather-free body weight (FFBW), feed intake (FI), lysine intake (LysI), feather-free body protein deposition (FFBPD), feather-free body lysine deposition (FFBLysD), feather-free body fat deposition (FFBFatD), feather weight (FW), feather protein deposition, feather lysine deposition, and feather fat deposition. The FFBW, FFBPD, FFBLysD, and FFBFatD were regressed as a function of LysI for each sex to estimate the efficiency of lysine utilization in the feather-free body (ELysFFB), and the individual equations were compared. In addition, a multiple regression without intercept was also used to estimate the ELysFFB and in feathers (ELysF) individually. To compare the ELysFFB obtained by the different methods, the t-statistic was used. There was no effect on sex × lysine level interactions for any variable. The females showed higher FFBW (5.07%) and FFBFatD (26.23%) than males. All variables increased with the level of dietary lysine, with the exception of FI, FW, and the deposition of nutrients within them. The ELysFFB values obtained by simple linear regression and multiple linear regression were 48.0 and 44.6%, respectively. As there was no difference in the efficiencies estimated by the different methodologies, the best estimate of ELysFFB was 46.3%, that is, the average. The best estimate of ELysF was 18.1%, obtained by multiple linear regression.

Impact of Dietary Betaine and Metabolizable Energy Levels on Profiles of Proteins and Lipids, Bioenergetics, Peroxidation and Quality of Meat in Japanese Quail

Three different diets were formulated with three levels of metabolizable energy (ME) (optimum; 2900, restricted; 2800 and low; 2700 kcal ME/kg diet) without or with (0 and 0.15%) betaine supplementation in 2 × 3 factorial design to evaluate the effect of six experimental diets on performance, proteins and lipids profiles, bioenergetics, peroxidation and meat quality of Japanese quail. Therefore, 360 quails allocated into six groups in a 23-day experiment. Dietary betaine and ME levels did not affect the performance, meat energy indices (ATP and AMP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of Japanese quail meat. Dietary betaine and/or ME levels induced significant changes in serum triacylglycerol (TAG), total cholesterols (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c), meat total lipids and cholesterol of Japanese quail. Optimum and restricted ME levels reduced total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) whereas dietary betaine increased ecosapentaenoic (EPA), docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) and glutamine concentrations in breast meat of Japanese quail. Dietary betaine and low energy diet improved cooking loss, thawing loss (ThL) and water holding capacity (WHC) in breast meat of Japanese quail. Conclusively, dietary betaine improved meat quality of Japanese quail fed diets containing either restricted or low ME by enrichments the meat with omega-3 fatty acids and reduction of lipids levels.

Allometric coefficients of major chemical components of meat quail raised in different thermal environments

The objective of the present study was to estimate and compare allometric coefficients of the major chemical components of meat quail raised in different thermal environments, based on protein weight of feather free body (FFB) and feathers. In total, 300 meat quail, males and females, were distributed in a completely randomized design with 2 treatments (climatized environment, 26°C, and non-climatized environment, 29°C) and 6 replicates of 25 birds each. On the first day, 36 birds were selected to form the reference group and from this day on, 2 quail were weekly sampled from each cage. All selected birds were fasted for 24 h, weighed, slaughtered, plucked, and reweighed. The FFB and feathers were ground separately to obtain homogeneous samples, which were freeze-dried to determine the water content, and thereafter, ground again in a micromill before analyzing for protein, lipid, and ash using AOAC procedures. The adjustment of the allometric equations was made using crude protein (CP) weight as the independent variable and water, lipid, and ash weight as the dependent variables. The data of each dependent variable were transformed into natural logarithm (ln), regressed according to lnCP, and subjected to a parallelism test. In the FFB, water showed early development and lipid and ash showed late development in relation to the CP weight. In feathers, water and ash weight showed early development in relation to the feathers protein weight, whereas lipids showed late development. The environments of 26°C and 29°C did not affect the allometric coefficients that described the growth between the chemical components in the body and in the feathers, except for lipids in male FFB, that showed higher allometric coefficient at 29°C than 26°C. Describing the allometric relationships between the major chemical components of meat quail body is an important step in supporting future research comprised modeling of body growth and nutrition for meat quail.