Orientador: Edivaldo Antonio Garcia / Banca: Lúcio Francelino Araújo / Banca: Ricardo de Albuquerque / Resumo: Com o objetivo de comparar níveis de cálcio e fósforo durante toda a fase de produção, foi realizado um experimento utilizando-se 720 codornas japonesas (Coturnix coturnix japonica) com 7 semanas de idade. O período experimental teve duração de 48 semanas e utilizou-se quatro níveis de cálcio (2,0; 2,5; 3,0 e 3,5%) e três níveis de fósforo (0,25; 0,35 e 0,45%) divididos em 12 tratamentos com 6 repetições cada. O experimento foi dividido em 3 fases: período inicial de produção (4 primeiros ciclos de 28 dias: 7 a 22 semanas de idade), período intermediário (4 ciclos de 28 dias: 23 a 38 semanas de idade) e período final de produção (os últimos 4 ciclos de 28 dias: 39 a 54 semanas de idade). O desempenho das aves e a qualidade dos ovos foram avaliados ao final de cada ciclo de 28 dias, e teores de cálcio e fósforo presentes no plasma, ao final do período experimental (54 semanas de idade). Concluiu-se que independente da fase de produção, as exigências nutricionais de cálcio e fósforo para codornas japonesas em postura que proporcionam bom desempenho produtivo e manutenção satisfatória da qualidade dos ovos são de 2,5% e 0,25%, respectivamente / Abstract: With the objective to compare levels of calcium and phosphorus during all the production phase, was conducted an experiment using 720 Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) with 7 weeks of age. The experimental period lasted 48 weeks, and used four levels of calcium (2.0; 2.5; 3.0 e 3.5%) and three levels of phosphorus (0.25; 0.35 e 0.45%) divided into 12 treatments with six replicates. The experiment was divided into three phases: initial production phase (the first 4 cycles of 28 days: 7 to 22 weeks), intermediate phase (4 cycles of 28 days: 23 to 38 weeks) and the final production phase (the last 4 cycles of 28 days: 39 to 54 weeks). The bird performance and egg quality were evaluated after each cycle of 28 days, and grades of calcium and phosphorus in the plasma, at the end the experimental period (54 weeks). It was concluded that regardless of production phase, the nutritional requirements of calcium and phosphorus to Japanese cleaned common quails in posture that provide good performance productive and satisfactory maintenance of the quality of eggs are 2.5% and 0.25% respectively / Mestre

This study aimed to investigate the occurrence and molecular diversity of coronavirus in quail and laying hens raised on the same farms and quail only farms, to determine the role of quail as reservoir for avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). To this end, two investigations were carried out, one in the São Paulo state, Southeastern Brazil, in 2013, when some farmers started quail vaccination with Massachusetts IBV serotype after surveillance carried out in 2009-2010 and the other in two regions of Northern Italy, in 2015. In the Brazilian study, samples were collected as pools of tracheas, lungs, reproductive tract, kidneys and enteric contents from quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) and laying hens showing IB-like symptoms, while, in the Italian study, samples were collected as pools of tracheal and cloacal swabs and intestine/enteric content from European quail (Coturnix coturnix), showing enteric disorders. All samples were tested by a nested RT-PCR targeted to the 3\'UTR of the Gammacoronavirus genus. Positive samples were submitted to RT-PCR to the RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase gene (RdRp) and two different RT-PCRs to the spike gene, including a typing-multiplex one. Two other RT-PCRs were used to detect the avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Avian coronavirus was found in all types of samples analyzed in quail and chickens from both type of creations, aMPV subtype B was found in chickens (Brasil) and the NDV was not observed in any samples. Based on the DNA sequences for the RdRp gene, Brazilian and Italian quail strains clustered within either Gammacoronavirus or Deltacoronavirus genus, while, for one Brazilian sample, it was detected co-infection with the two genuses. Phylogeny based on partial S1 subunit sequences showed that the gammacoronaviruses detected in the Brazilian and Italian quail belong to the Brazil type and 793/B, respectively. These results suggest that quail are susceptible to Gamma and Deltacoronavirus and that quail avian coronavirus share spike genes identical to chicken infectious bronchitis virus (IBV); thus, quail might act as reservoirs for avian coronaviruses. Also, Massachusetts vaccination was not efficient to control IBV in Brazilian quail. / Este estudo teve como objetivo pesquisar a ocorrência e diversidade molecular de coronavírus em codornas e galinhas criadas nas mesmas propriedades e em codornas criadas em propriedades isoladas, para determinar o papel das codornas como reservatório para o vírus da bronquite infecciosa das galinhas (IBV). Para isso, duas pesquisas foram realizadas, uma em 2013, no estado de São Paulo, Sudeste do Brasil, onde algumas granjas iniciaram a vacinação em codornas contra o IBV com o sorotipo Massachusetts, após um estudo realizado em 2009-2010; e a outra, em 2015, em duas regiões do Norte da Itália. No estudo brasileiro, foram coletados pools de aparelho reprodutor, pulmões, rins, traqueia e conteúdo entérico de codornas (Coturnix coturnix japonica() e galinhas com histórico de manifestações clínicas compatíveis com a Bronquite Infecciosa das galinhas (BIG). Por outro lado, no estudo italiano, as amostras foram coletadas em forma de pools de swabs traqueais e cloacais e intestino/conteúdo entérico de codornas (Coturnix coturnix) com sinais entéricos. Estas amostras foram testadas para os coronavírus aviário (Gammacoronavirus) mediante uma semi-nested RT-PCR dirigida a região não-traduzida 3 (3´UTR). As amostras positivas foram submetidas a RT-PCR do gene codificador da proteína RNA-polimerase RNA-dependente (RdRp) e duas RT-PCRs, incluindo uma multiplex dirigidas a proteína de espícula (S) do vírus da BIG, para genotipagem. Além disso, a detecção de metapneumovírus aviário (aMPV) e o vírus da doença de Newcastle (NDV) também foi realizada por meio de RT-PCRs. Coronavírus aviários foram encontrados em todos os tipos de amostras estudadas em codornas e galinhas de todos os tipos de criações, aMPV subtipo B foi encontrado em galinhas (Brasil) e o NDV não foi encontrado em nenhuma amostras. Com base nas sequências de DNA para o gene codificador da proteína RdRp, as amostras brasileiras e italianas foram agrupadas no gênero Gamma ou Deltacoronavirus, enquanto que, em uma amostra brasileira, foi detectada coinfecção pelos dois gêneros. A filogenia com base nas sequências parciais da subunidade S1da proteína de espícula, evidenciou que os Gammacoronavirus detectados nas codornas brasileiras e italianas pertencem ao genótipo Brasil e 793/B, respectivamente. Estes resultados sugerem que as codornas são suscetíveis aos coronavírus do gênero Gamma e Delta e os coronavírus aviários das codornas compartilham genes de espícula idênticos aos do IBV. Desta forma, sugere-se que as codornas podem servir como reservatórios para coronavírus aviários e que a vacinação com o sorotipo Massachusetts não foi eficiente no controle de IBV nas codornas brasileiras.

The California Quail is native to the coastal and semi-arid regions of California extending north into Oregon. Two subspecies are commonly recognized. the California Quail (Lophortyx californica brunnescens Ridgway), and the Valley Quail (Lophortyx californica californica Shaw) 0 The two forms are very similar in coloration and habits and, for the purpose of this study, no effort is made to distinguish the two.

A devastating feature of drug-dependence is the susceptibility of relapse (40-60%) after stretches of abstinence. One theory that may account for relapse suggests that drug cues (e.g., paraphernalia) may increase stress hormones, and this may prompt relapse. Repeatedly pairing a neutral cue with a reward is commonly utilized to measure what subjects learn about a cue that is predictive of reward. Research has shown that animals that attend to a cue more than to the reward (sign trackers) may be more vulnerable to drug addiction. Additionally, research has shown that sign tracking is associated with an increase in corticosterone (CORT), a primary stress hormone. PT 150 is a novel glucocorticoid receptor antagonist that attenuates the effects of CORT. Experiment 1 hypothesized that subjects given repeated oral administration of 40 mg/kg PT 150 would reduce sign tracking compared to subjects given placebo. Results of Experiment 1 showed that repeated oral consumption of 40 mg/kg PT 150 decreased sign tracking behavior compared to placebo. In Experiment 2, it was hypothesized that PT 150 (20/40/60 mg/kg) given by subcutaneous (SC) injection would reduce sign tracking dose-dependently, and that sign tracking behavior would correlate with CORT levels. Results of Experiment 2 showed that SC injection of 20 mg/kg PT 150 reduced sign tracking but not 40 or 60 mg/kg. Additionally, the correlation between CORT and the sign tracking for the 20 mg/kg approached significance. Although tentative, the correlation may suggest that elevated plasma CORT concentrations correlate with elevated sign tracking. The current findings extend the current literature by suggesting that the glucocorticoid receptor may be a potential pharmacological target for reducing relapse-like behaviors.

Estrogens seem to play a role in the locomotor activating effects of cocaine. Japanese quail provide a good model for hormonal manipulation as alterations of their photoperiod controls hormone levels. The current study aims to examine the role of early life photoperiod manipulation in cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization in quail. It was expected that if quail were raised on a short photoperiod, they would have a reduction in gonadal hormones and this reduction in hormones would affect the acquisition of cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization. Quail were raised on an 8L:16D or a 16L:8D light cycle. Following 2 days of habituation, quail were administered saline, 5 mg/kg, or 10 mg/kg cocaine for 10 days. Restricted photoperiods in early life were correlated to lower gonadal hormone levels in females and males. Male quail raised on the short-light cycle developed a sensitized response to 10 mg/kg cocaine. Female quail raised on the short- or long-photoperiod developed behavioral sensitization to 5 mg/kg cocaine. Furthermore, early life reduction in estradiol in females modulated the amount of activity on day 10 of cocaine treatment. The current research extends previous research by finding a possible early life gonadal hormone control of behavioral sensitization in the quail.

Elevated yolk progesterone has been shown to impair prenatal, but facilitate postnatal auditory learning in bobwhite quail chicks. Elevated yolk testosterone has facilitated prenatal learning, but its effects on postnatal auditory learning in quail are unknown. Either testosterone or an oil vehicle was injected into bobwhite quail eggs prior to incubation. Control eggs were unmanipulated. Following hatching, chicks were exposed to a conspecific maternal call (A or B) for 240 min. At 48 hr, chicks were tested for their preference for the familiarized vs. novel call. All groups demonstrated a preference for the familiar call (p < .05), but minimal between group difference were found. Contrary to previous research, elevated yolk testosterone neither facilitated nor impaired postnatal auditory learning in bobwhite quail chicks. Further research will examine underlying mechanisms responsible for differential effects and explore if similar systems are involved in other species-typical processes such as social motivation. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

California Quail were exposed to fixed-interval schedules whose values ranged from FI 90 to FI 180. Post-reinforcement pause lengths and terminal rates were recorded and grouped into relative frequency distributions. The relative post-reinforcement pause length was found to be an increasing function of FI value such that at larger FI values a proportionally greater period of time was taken up by the post-reinforcement pause. Terminal rate (rate during the final 20% of the interval) was a decreasing function of FI value. The large amounts of variability in terminal rates observed indicated that terminal rate in fixed-interval schedules is not constant from interval to interval as is often reported in the literature. For a given subject, when overall rate of response for a session was plotted as a function of mean pause length for that session, no consistent relationship was found. Among the subjects there were two to three-fold differences in overall rate on FI 90, the only value to which all subjects were exposed. Differences among subjects in mean overall rates were correlated with differences in mean pause lengths, however. Thus, a subject's performance on a fixed-interval schedule could be characterized in terms of pause length and overall rate although rate in any given session was not necessarily correlated with mean pause length for that session, Differences between subjects in mean overall rates were also correlated with differences in mean terminal rates.

Exposure to xenoestrogens during development has been shown to impair sexual differentiation in various species. The major aim of this thesis was to elucidate the respective roles of the two estrogen receptors ERα and ERβ in normal and disrupted differentiation of sex organs and copulatory behavior in the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). The expression of ERα mRNA was much stronger than that of ERβ mRNA in the gonads and Müllerian ducts (embryonic oviducts) in early embryos. By contrast, ERβ seemed to be predominantly expressed in regions of the embryonic brain that are associated with male sexual behavior. Embryos were exposed to the selective ERα agonists propyl-pyrazole-triol (PPT) and 16α-lactone-estradiol (16α-LE2). The estrogens 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), which activate both ERα and ERβ, were used as positive controls. All substances impaired reproductive organ differentiation. The effects observed included oviductal malformations in females and partial development of oviducts in males. All substances also induced testis feminization (ovotestis) in male embryos. The male copulatory behavior was severely impaired by the positive controls but was unaffected by PPT and 16α-LE2 at doses that disrupted sex organ differentiation. A higher dose of 16α-LE2 significantly suppressed the behavior. However, it is possible that this effect was caused by cross-activation of ERβ. The substances also induced hepatic expression of mRNA encoding the egg-yolk proteins vitellogenin II and very low-density apolipoprotein II, which are commonly used as indicators of estrogen exposure. In conclusion, the results suggest that ERα is important for female reproductive organ differentiation. Excess activation of ERα by xenoestrogens impairs differentiation in both females and males and induces hepatic expression of egg-yolk proteins. The results also indicate that ERα alone cannot mediate demasculinization of male copulatory behavior in quail, although further studies are needed to test this hypothesis.

The adaptive significance of Pavlovian conditioning has been an established idea within the learning literature. Pavlov himself indicated the potential for associative learning's role as an adaptive mechanism. As investigations into Pavlovian conditioning moved into the laboratory, the idea of adaptive significance was lost. The current body of work seeks to re-establish the adaptive importance of Pavlovian conditioning by investigating changes in the reproductive behavior of Japanese quail. Experiment 1 was a preliminary exploration of the relationship between the reproductive behaviors of the male and female Japanese quail, and fertility rates. Fertility rates were highly correlated with female immobility and male copulatory efficiency--a measure of copulatory behavior quality for males. Also, female immobility was highly correlated with male copulatory efficiency. In Experiment 2, changes in reproductive behavior and fertility due to Pavlovian conditioning were examined. The results indicated that Pavlovian conditioning altered the fertility rates for subjects if both partners of the copulatory pair were signaled. The Pavlovian conditioning procedure was refined for Experiment 3, which also showed changes in fertility rates as well as male copulatory efficiency. These experiments served to establish that Pavlovian conditioning can increase copulatory behavior and fertility when both partners of the copulatory pair are signaled. Experiments 4 - 6 investigated how factors related to the Conditioned Stimulus impact reproductive behavior and fertility rates. Experiment 4 showed that altering the CS-US interval for females did not produce significant differences in behavior or fertility. Experiment 5 demonstrated that context could be a viable CS in the Pavlovian conditioning of behavior and fertility. Experiment 6 showed that a naturalistic cue did not significantly alter either behavior or fertility over an arbitrary cue. In Experiment 7, visual access as an Unconditioned Stimulus in the Pavlovian conditioning of reproductive behavior was examined. Visual access to a female increased behavior and fertility over a control procedure, but not as much as full copulatory access. The present experiments provide definitive evidence of the adaptive significance of Pavlovian conditioning through changes in reproductive behavior and fertility. The relevance of the findings to Pavlovian conditioning in other behavior systems is discussed. / text

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