Effect of a cranium-directed daily illumination cycle on the laying rhythm in Japanese quail.
This study tests the effect on the laying rhythm of a light cycle reaching directly the encephala via a diode in Japanese quail maintained in constant darkness. In DD, all the birds expressed their free-running laying rhythm (period close to 25 h). When the diode is switched on 14 h per 24 h cycle, females showed the same organization as in LD with the same laying time. Thus, a photoperiodic cycle, where light was only perceived through the skull of the female quail, could synchronize its laying rhythm. This device with a LED is an interesting alternative solution to eye-patching or blinding of birds.
Houdelier
Cécilia
C
UMR CNRS 6552, Ethologie Evolution Ecologie université Rennes-1, campus de Beaulieu, av. du Général-Leclerc, 35042 Rennes, France. cecilia.houdelier@univ-rennes1.fr
Lumineau
Sophie
S
Guyomarc'h
Catherine
C
Richard
Jean-Pierre
JP
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001921:Brain / Q000528:radiation effects; D003370:Coturnix / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008027:Light; D010058:Oviposition / Q000502:physiology*; D010507:Periodicity; D017440:Photoperiod; D012886:Skull