Effect of Gender and Age on Blood Glucose in Japanese Quail (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the fasting blood glucose values, which are measured at specified time intervals, of Japanesequails (coturnix coturnix japonica) at different ages and genders. In the study, 20 Japanese quail chicks constituted the animal material.The chicks reaching the age of one week were divided into two groups as male (G1, n:10) and female (G2, n:10) according to gender bytaking into account the color difference in their chest area. The groups were taken in separate cages and housed under the same care andfeeding conditions. Blood glucose values were measured by blood glucose meter, probes and blood samples taken from the vena subcuteneaulnaris. Glucose measurements were performed on all animals in G1 and G2 at minutes 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120 and 150 for 7weeks with an interval of 7 days from week 1. The data obtained in the study were statistically analyzed. The difference in glucose measurementtimes was found to be statistically significant in all weeks except weeks 6 and 7 (p<0.001). It was determined that the effect ofgender interaction with the time of glucose measurement was not significant (p=0.051). In conclusion, it was determined that the fastingblood glucose values developing following the food restriction in Japanese quails at different ages and in different genders did not gobelow the normal limits at the measured time intervals. We believe that the results of this study will be useful for clinician veterinariansand researchers studying Japanese quail.