Iran. J. Ichthyol.

(ICAEAS special issue 2021): 150-154

© 2021 Iranian Society of Ichthyology
P-ISSN: 2383-1561; E-ISSN: 2383-0964
http://www.ijichthyol.org

Research Article

Sex-related of some haematological and serum biochemical changes, fed

high-protein diet in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

Ziad Ahmad ALABDALLAH*, Aleksandr Alekseevich NIKISHOV, Arfenia Semyonovna

KARAMYAN
Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University) Moscow, Miklukho-Maklaya Street,
Russia.
*
Email: zead3133@gmail.com
Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the effect of highly protein diet on some
haematological and serum biochemical parameters in female and male Japanese quail
(Coturnix japonica) at different age stages. Three different age stages of birds (0-30, 30-44
and >44 days) were included. After measuring the weight of birds, they were slaughtered and
a blood samples were taken. Based on the results, there was an increase in the general protein
and albumin in females and males at the age 3 months. The globin was higher in males.
Reagrding the ratio of phosphorus and calcium, they were higher in females than males and
alkaline phosphate and hemoglobin were elevated in males at 3 months of age, and in females
was raised at 1st month. An increase from the normal level of total protein, albumin, calcium,
hemoglobin and, alkaline phosphatase and a decrease of phosphorous and globin were
observed by ageing. Many of the parameters were different significantly between sexes.

Keywords: Biochemical changes, Quail, Albumin, Hemoglobin.

Citation: Alabdallah, Z.A.; Nikishov, A.A & Karamyan, A.S. 2021. Sex-related of some
haematological and serum biochemical changes, fed high-protein diet in Japanese quail
(Coturnix japonica). Iranian Journal of Ichthyology 8(ICAEAS 2021): 150-154.

Introduction results have been showed that the kidneys of bird

There is significant shortfall between the production
and supply of animal protein to feed increasing
population. Although, focus has been on domestic
fowl production, nutritive and economic benefits can
be derived from quail production since it is fast
growing bird and resistant to many diseases
(Oluyemi & Roberts 2000). It needs less feed
requirement i.e. an adult quail requires only 20-25g
feed per day compared to chicken (120-130g) per day
(Ani et al. 2009). Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)
is well adapted to laboratory conditions and
possesses several advantages, such as rapid growth,
early sexual maturity, high rate of egg production,
easy handling of adult size, and a short generation
interval (Ichilcik & Austin 1978). Many research
available regarding this species e.g. morphological
consist of three parts, including a cranial,
caudal, and a middle part (Nikishov et al. 2019,
2020; Alabdallah 2020; 2021a).
Determination of the haematological parameters
in quails helps for their clinical management of
disorders in the blood parameters and bone marrow.
Factors that may affect its haematological parameters
include subclinical infections, age, species, sex,
breed, nutritional status, method of analysis and
duration of storage of samples, haemostatic disorders
such as bacterial and viral infections, and vitamin K
deficiency (Sparling et al. 1999; Alabdallah 2021b).
Hence, this study aimed to investigate some serum
biochemical and haematological parameters
differences between female and male Japanese quail
at different ages fed different diet in terms of protein.

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 Alabdallah et al.- Sex-related of some haematological and serum biochemical changes

Table 1. Composition of the diets provided to the birds.

Quality indicators of complete feed for quail Quality indicators of complete feed for Quality indicators of complete feed for
PK-2 (0-30 days) quail DK-51 (31-44 days) quails PK-1P (> 44 days)
Name Unit rev.
Metabolic energy of kcal / 295 275 285
poultry 100g
Crude protein % 28.0 19.0 24.0
Crude fat % 3.6 3.5 3.5
Crude fiber % 4.8 5.0 5.1
Linoleic acid % 1.8 1.8 1.8
Lysine % 1.15 0.85 1.05
Methionine % 0.55 0.45 0.50
Methionine + cystine % 0.75 0.70 0.72
Tryptophan % 0.2 0.2 0.2
Threonine % 0.65 0.45 0.55
Ca % 2.3 2.8 3.3
Na % 0.16 0.16 0.16
P % 0.7 0.7 0.8
P available % 0.65 0.53 0.75
Nacl % 0.33 0.33 0.33

Materials and Methods containing 21% protein.

The experiment was carried out in February 2020.
Japanese quails were raised in the birds Research
Unit of the Agrarian and Technological Institute,
People’s Friendship Russian University, Moscow,
Russia. The experiments were approved by the
animal experiments committee of the Agrarian and
Technological Institute (December 2019). Thirty-six
apparently healthy 1, 3 and 6 months-old male and
female Japanese quails were used for the experiment.
According to their age, they were classified into three
groups of (0-30 days), (30-44 days) and (>44 days).
For feeding, we used complete industrial feeds:
PK-2 (0-30 days), DK-51 (30-44 days) and PK-1P
(>44 days), with ingredients of wheat, corn, soybean
meal, sunflower meal, gluten corn feed, vegetable oil,
protein concentrate, lysine, methionine, threonine,
table salt, monocalcium phosphate, limestone flour,
baking soda, complex feed additive for poultry
(vitamins + trace elements). Quail food helps to
maintain their health at the proper level. Normally,
this is achieved by maintaining a certain level of
protein in the diet. Up to 30 days, the chick needs
feed mixtures with 26% of proteins. Then, for the
next 2 weeks, young animals need to be fed a lower
percentage of proteins i.e. 17%. Adults need a food
The composition of the provided food to the birds
is summarized in Table 1. Quail birds are given a
highly enriched protein diet (10% over normal) at all
stages of rearing. Therefore, the protein level in the
diet was regulated by changing the amount of
soybean meal, lysine, methionine and threonine in
the diet. The amount of protein in the diet was: up to
30 days - 28%; 31-44 days - 19%; over 44 days -
24%. During rearing period, the temperature was
about 20°C and the light program 14 h light/day. The
birds were housed with food and water. On the day
of analysis at 9.00 am, the bird body masses.
Three different age stages of birds (30-90-180
days) were sampled. They were weighted and then
slaughtered and some of their Hematology and serum
biochemistry parameters, including absolute protein
(g/l), albumn (g/l), globulin (g/l) (alpha, beta and
gamma), alkaline phosphates (Mm/лч), phosphorous
(мМ/л), potassium (мМ/л), erythrosin (1012/l) and
Haemoglobin (g/l) resulting from a highly protein
diet were studied. The method used for biochemical
examination was based on Bahie et al. (2009) and
Inaotombi et al. (2018). Then, the samples were
analyzed at the Center for Diagnostic Scientific
Research at the RUDN University.

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 Iran. J. Ichthyol. (ICAEAS special issue 2021): 150-154

Table 2. Biochemical parameters of blood quail, males.

№ Indicators 1 3 6
1. Absolute protein (g/l) 35.01±0.05 32.03±0.04 36.08±0.04*
2. Albumin (g/l) 12.22±0.06* 11.39±0.08 12.09±0.06
3. Globulin (g/l) 22.70±0.03 23.79±0.09* 21.15±0.05
4. - Alpha 2.83±0.05* 2.74±0.03 2.55±0.08
5. - beta 5.19±0.05 5.09±0.05 6.09±0.04*
6. - gamma 15.87±0.04 15.96±0.06* 15.02±0.03
7. Alkaline Phosphates (U/L) 4.65±0.30 4.71±0.33* 4.15±0.30
8. Phosphorous (m mol/L) 2.23±0.02 2.07±0.08 2.52± 0.02*
9. Potassium (m mol/L) 3.52±0.10* 3.48±0.15 3.23±0.15
10. Erythrosin (1012/l) 3.42±0.05 3.25±0.02 4.05±0.05*
11. Haemoglobin (g/l) 130.50±0.10 132.41±0.13* 128.45±0.19

Statistical analysis: The results were analysed using
the one-way variance analyses (ANOVA) and the
Duncan Multiple Range Analysis Test in SPSS.
Results and Discussion
The average body weight of female quail
(209±18.737gr) was almost twice as that of male
(179±11.665) (Karabayir & Tolu 2008; Scholtz et al.
2009). The biochemical features for females and
males in the ages of 1, 3 and 6 months of the
treatments are presented in Tables 2 and 3. The
results showed higher values of total protein,
albumin, globulin, calcium, phosphorus, and red
blood cells with increasing age (Scholtz et al. 2009;
Hassan 2010; Prakash 2013).
The results showed a sex-related differences with
a high incidence of albumin, globulin, and total
protein in females. These differences can be
explained by physiological changes in female obesity
due to spawning (Walzem et al. 1999). During the
implant period, hepatic synthesis is increased from
triglycerides, phospholipids and cholesterol. These
fats make up the lipoproteins that circulate in the
blood and are incorporated into the ovaries.
Consequently, the cultivated female birds contain a
high concentration of triglycerides and cholesterol in
the blood. In addition, females of the other species
showed a marked increase in total protein
concentration during egg production (Coenen et al.
1994). This is due to an increase in the secretion of
estrogen, which causes an increase in the production
152
of the precursor vitellinogenin and fatty proteins
present in egg yolk (Lumeij 1997), which leads to an
increase in the total protein concentration in the
blood and serum. The high concentration of total
protein in egg laying birds is associated with a
marked increase in serum and globulin albumin
levels (Hunt & Hunsaker 1995).
A rise in the general protein and albumin at the age
of 6 months for both females and males of quail birds
was found in the present study. The general protein
between females and males in different ages showed
higher value in males, whereas it was contrary in
albumin, which was higher in females (12.65) than in
males (12.09) at age 6 months (Agina et al. 2017). At
age 6 months, the proportion of the globin between
males and females was 21.15 while the value of A/G
in males (1.75) was almost similar to that of females
(1.67). The globin was high in 3-month-old females
and males and however the level of the globulin was
more in males due to the high protein content in food
provided to quail birds (Inaotombi Devi et al. 2018).
Alpha globulin was higher in males at 1 month of
age, while in females 3 months old the level of beta
globulin was high in both males and females. At the
age 6 months, the globulin gamma was elevated in
males. The increase in total protein and albumin may
be due to estrogen secretion at the start of egg
production (Coenen et al. 1994).
Alkaline phosphate in males was high at 3 months
of age, while in females it was as same as 1-month
age. In other times, the alkaline phosphate was
 Alabdallah et al.- Sex-related of some haematological and serum biochemical changes

Table 3. Biochemical blood counts of quail, females.

№ Indicators 1 3 6
1. Absolute protein (g/l) 29.75±0.04 31.03±0.05 34.05±0.04*
2. Albumn (g/l) 14.22±0.03* 11.55±0.08 12.65±0.06
3. Globulin (g/l) 20.10±0.05 21.68±0.06* 21.15±0.04
4. - Alpha 2.56±0.04 2.64±0.06* 2.57±0.08
5. - beta 5.35±0.15 5.43±0.05 6.32±0.06*
6. - gamma 14.45±0.05 15.05±0.06 15.09±0.03*
7. Alkaline Phosphates (U/L) 4.75±0.20* 4.65±0.33 4.15±0.20
8. Phosphorous (m mol/L) 2.63±0.02* 2.56±0.08 2.58± 0.02
9. Potassium (m mol/L) 3.59±0.10 3.63±0.14 4.03±0.10*
10. Erythrosin (1012/l) 3.51±0.03 3.29±0.02 4.00±0.16*
11. Haemoglobin (g/l) 131.50±0.15* 131.45±0.13 129.03±0.12

similar in both sexes (Agina et al. 2017). Regarding
the ratio of phosphorous, it was high in males at 6
months-age, and at female, it was high at 1 month-
age. However, the phosphorous was higher in
females. The percentage of calcium was high in
males at the age 1 month, while in females, it was
high at the age 6 months. The overall high calcium
was found in females and males in all ages studied.
This result was in agreement with the finding of
Bahie El-Deen et al. (2009). It was suggested that the
level of calcium may be explained to increased
secretion of steroid hormones. However, when
comparing red blood cells between females and
males, there was no difference found between sexes,
and both were elevated at the age 6 months (Agina et
al. 2017). The hemoglobin was higher in males
(Agina et al. 2017), and it was elevated for males at
3 months, while for females it was elevated at 1
month.
In conclusion, the results showed that many of the
studied parameters differ between the sexes.
Therefore, the sex effect should be considered to
avoid unwanted sources of variation particularly
regarding haematological parameters.
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