Comparison of Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics in Two Quail Breeds and Their Plumage

ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of quail’s breed (European vs. local) and line (white vs. dark) on body weight as well as some hematological and biochemical blood parameters. Forty female quails of two lines (20 white and 20 brown) within each breed (European and Local) were selected randomly and used in the present investigation, aiming to compare between them for physio-biochemical characteristics. All target birds were slaughtered at 12 weeks old. Quail blood samples (8 ml) were taken at the time of slaughter and placed in two distinct types of tubes. Biochemical, liver, renal, immunity and white blood cells parameters were investigated and measured using kits from Roche Diagnostics Company by automated method. The results showed significantly (p<0.01) higher body weight- as expected- in European birds (325.7 vs. 270.1 gm); for biochemical parameters, there were insignificant (p>0.05) differences either between both breed or between both lines, except glucose (301.15 vs. 323.25 mg/dl) and cholesterol (151.095 vs. 205.285 mg/dl) for line effect (p<0.01), where white line surpassed dark one. Liver function tests weren’t differed significantly (p>0.05) between breeds and lines; except albumen values which differed significantly (p<0.05) between local and European breed (1.484 and 1.475 g/dl, respectively), and between dark and while line (1.408 and 1.551 g/dl, respectively). However, all renal function tests were not differed significantly (p>0.05); whereas immunity indicator (IgA) for the European breed surpassed significantly (p<0.05) local one (2.001 vs. 1.102 mg/dl), and dark line surpassed significantly white one (2.002 vs. 1.0101 mg/dl). All blood cell tests weren’t differed insignificantly (p>0.05). A significant interaction between breed and line was observed just for Immunoglobulin M (IgM), heterophils and the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (H/L ratio). As conclusion, the physiological variation is limited between quail breed or lines.