Growth of Japanese Quail Chicks in Simulated Weightlessness

Abstract

Hypodynamy is a method to simulate weightlessness in the earth laboratory conditions. The objective of this study was to study the effects of hypodynamy on the growth of the body and of the right leg of female Japanese quail chicks reared under these conditions from day 2 after hatching to 56 days of age. Therefore, body weight, food consumption, food conversion and length of femur, tibiotarsus and tarsometatarsus of the quail chicks were recorded at weekly intervals.The effect of hypodynamy on these indices was significant (p < 0.001). The mean body weight of the test group after the 56-day hypodynamy was about 34% less than that of the age-matched control. The food consumption in both groups increased with age but in the hypodynamy quails it was 17% lower compared to control. Similarly, the food conversion of test birds was affected until day 42 of age except for day 14. The size of the femur in the hypodynamy group was reduced (by 0.7 mm) compared to the age-matched control at 56 days. The tibiotarsus and tarsometatarsus of hypodynamy quails were shorter by 4.41 mm and 3.35 mm, respectively, at the end of experiment.Our results show that Japanese quail female chicks are capable to grow and develop under conditions of prolonged simulated weightlessness. Based on these results a similar experiment under conditions of real weightlessness in space may be considered.

Assessment of Dietary Selenium and Vitamin E on Laying Performance and Quality Parameters of Fresh and Stored Eggs in Japanese Quails

“…However, apart from main effect of treatments, food consumption increased in all birds during the current study ( Figure 1 A). This effect is consistent with data reported by Skrobanek et al [ 24 ] who observed a direct relationship between feed intake and aging. In terms of egg production, our results agreed with those observed by Mobaraki and Shahryar [ 11 ] who noticed that similar levels of VE and Se sources did not significantly affect laying rate during a period of 25 weeks.…”

“…Consistent with our results, dietary VE levels (30 or 120 mg/kg) with either organic or inorganic selenium source did not influence egg production in laying hen [19]. In addition, egg production rate was not influenced by increasing organic or inorganic level of selenium [24]. Likewise, the average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio of broiler chicks were not affected by dietary supplementation of various selenium sources [6].…”

Bone Mass and Bone Quality Are Altered by Hypoactivity in the Chicken

“…Simulated weightlessness also decreases bone mass in mature animals [ 9 , 10 ] but has little effects on the bone growth in young animals [ 32 ]. This was also reproduced in avian models with simulated microgravity [ 33 ]. The BTX model was proposed as a non-surgical method and it induces histological alterations of synapses and muscles leading to a secondary massive bone loss [ 34 , 35 ].…”

Pengaruh Pemberian Bungkil Inti Kelapa Sawit Yang Difermentasi Menggunakan Isolat Selulolitik Dari Belalang Kembara Pada Pakan Terhadap Penampilan Produksi Puyuh Jantan

“…Berat badan akhir yang berbeda tidak nyata juga disebabkan umur panen puyuh yang cukup tua yaitu 49 hari. Skrobanek et al (2004) menyatakan bahwa puyuh pedaging mencapai puncak pertambahan berat badannya pada umur 42 hari dan pada umur selanjutnya pertambahan berat badan menjadi sangat kecil sampai tidak terjadi pertambahan sama sekali pada umur 56 hari.…”