Effect of age and carcase composition on the onset of sexual maturity in quail under normal feeding regimens.
1. The effect of age and carcase composition on the onset of sexual maturity was investigated in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) reared under a normal feeding regimen. 2. At 42 d of age, when the quail had started to lay and hen day production was about 60%, layers were heavier and contained more carcase fat than those that were not laying. 3. The liver and the ovary weight were greater following the onset of sexual maturity than 1 or 2 weeks before (35 and 28 d respectively). 4. Carcase fat as well as age are critical requirements for the onset of sexual maturity in quail.
Yannakopoulos
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AL
Department of Animal Production, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Christaki
E
E
Florou-Paneri
P
P
D000375:Aging; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D003370:Coturnix / Q000254:growth & development*; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D010058:Oviposition; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012741:Sexual Maturation
D008055:Lipids; D011506:Proteins