1. The objective of this study was to estimate growth parameters of carcass components (wing, thighs and drumsticks, back and breast) and organs (heart, liver, gizzard and gut) in males and females of one meat-type quail strain (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) and two laying strains (Coturnix coturnix japonica) designated either yellow or red. 2. A total of 1350 quail from 1 to 42 d old were distributed in a completely randomised design, with 5 replicates of each strain. The carcass component weights and body organs were analysed weekly and evaluated using the Gompertz function; growth rates were evaluated through derivative equations. 3. The meat-type strain presented the highest growth rates in carcass components and organs. Across strains, females showed the highest weight of internal organs at maturity compared to males. 4. Females had greater growth potential in breast, wings and back than males for both yellow and red laying quail.

RESUMOForam conduzidos três experimentos com o objetivo de determinar a composição química e os valores de energia metabolizável da glicerina vegetal semipurificada e verificar o desempenho e as características de carcaça de codornas de corte alimentadas com rações contendo níveis crescentes de glicerina. No experimento 1, foram utilizadas 50 codornas, alojadas em gaiolas de metabolismo. Os tratamentos consistiram de uma ração referência e de uma ração teste contendo nível de substituição de 10% de glicerina, com cinco repetições de cinco codornas por repetição. O valor de energia metabolizável aparente corrigida para balanço de nitrogênio da glicerina foi de 3.069kcal/kg. No experimento 2, foram utilizadas 640 codornas, distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos (ração controle e níveis de glicerina = 4, 8, 12 e 16%) e quatro repetições com 32 aves em cada repetição. Não foram observadas diferenças (P>0,05) para consumo de ração e ganho de peso. A inclusão de glicerina, na fase de um a 14 dias de idade, piorou a conversão alimentar. No experimento 3, foram utilizadas 440 codornas, distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições com 22 aves em cada repetição.

No abstract

1. A study was carried out to evaluate the expression of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT), cytochrome oxidase III (COX III) and avian uncoupling protein (avUCP) genes in 14-d-old Japanese quail that were fed different levels of glycerol (0%, 4%, and 12% dietary glycerol) which replaced maize as an energy source. 2. Total RNA was extracted from the breast muscle, and cDNA was amplified using real-time PCR with primers specific to the examined genes. 3. Quail fed the diet with 12% glycerol supplementation presented higher growth hormone (GH) mRNA expression than did those fed 0% glycerol. Supplementation with 12% glycerol negatively influenced IGF-I mRNA expression and reduced ANT mRNA expression in comparison with the treatment with no glycerol. COX III mRNA expression in the pectoralis superficialis muscle was decreased by 26% in quail fed 12% glycerol compared with those fed 0 and 4% glycerol. 4. There was no difference in UCP mRNA expression between quail fed 0 and 4% glycerol; however, UCP expression was reduced (73%) in birds fed the 12% glycerol diet compared with the level in those fed the 4% glycerol diet. 5. The inclusion of 4% glycerol in the diet produced results similar to those of the diet with no glycerol. Based on quail performance and the expression of the GH, IGF-I, ANT, COX III and UCP genes, 4% glycerol can be used in quail feeding without any harmful effects.

1. A study was conducted to test the hypothesis that feed efficiency (FE) correlated with the expression of genes from the somatotropic axis and mitochondrial genes involved in energy production, and that the environment to which the birds are exposed influenced the expression of such genes. 2. Quails were divided into High-FE and low-FE groups and maintained in a comfortable or heat stress (HS) (38°C for 24 h) environment to evaluate changes in insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), growth hormone receptor (GHR), adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT), uncoupling protein (UCP) and cytochrome oxidase subunit III (COX III) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in liver and muscle tissues. 3. High-FE quails (0.28 g/g) presented a higher final body weight, greater weight gain and a better feed conversion ratio than low-FE birds (0.18 g/g). High-FE birds showed greater IGF-I mRNA expression in the liver and muscle and greater GHR mRNA expression in the muscle. 4. Environmental effects only affected GHR expression in the liver, with quails under comfortable conditions exhibiting greater GHR expression than quails subjected to HS. 5. There was a significant interaction between FE and environmental temperature on ANT mRNA expression in the liver. The greatest ANT mRNA expression was observed for high FE-birds that remained under comfortable conditions. 6. In the liver, UCP mRNA expression did not differ among the quails and was not affected by environment or efficiency. However, comparisons of the low- and high-FE birds revealed higher levels of UCP mRNA in the muscle of low-FE birds. 7. COX III mRNA expression in the liver was dependent on environmental temperature and FE. Higher COX III mRNA expression was observed in animals that remained under comfortable conditions, and high-FE birds exhibited higher expression levels compared to low-FE birds. 8. These results suggest a correlation between IGF-I, GHR, ANT, UCP and COX III gene expression and FE and that environmental temperature could affect the expression of some of these genes.