Ovarian radiographic and direct measurements of Japanese Quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica ) submitted to light restriction

• Main Authors: M. Albuquerque, R. Guedes, P. Dornbusch, L. Laskoski, P. Mangini, R. Lange
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
• Series: Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia
• Subjects: ave; fotoperíodo; gônada; postura; radiografia
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-09352017000300651&lng=en&tlng=en

ABSTRACT Often, in pet birds, any stimulus to lay eggs is unwanted in order to reduce reproductive diseases and disorders. The objectives of this study were: to determine the time necessary to promote ovary involution after an eight hour photoperiod using laying Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica); to connect the ovarian radiographic measurements with egg production; and to compare these measurements with direct ovary data obtained at necropsy. Birds were separated into three groups: 12h/24d (control group - 12h photoperiod for 24 days), 8h/24d and 8h/36d (8h photoperiod for 24 and 36 days). After euthanasia, all cadavers were x-rayed to measure ovary length and height. Birds were necropsied to measure ovarian length and weight. Results: radiographic ovary length demonstrated strong and positive correlation (r=0.96) with direct ovary length of all three groups; laying quails showed higher ovary height (p=0.025) and length (p=0.009) than non-laying quails; eight hours of artificial light per day promotes ovary length (p=0.025) and weight (p=0.009) reduction. Conclusions: radiography can estimate the ovary measure and indicate posture; an eight hour photoperiod of 24 days is not enough to promote ovarian regression, while the use of reduced photoperiod for 36 days promotes significant ovary involution.