Thirty-five years activities of Okayama Association for Laboratory Animal Science

The Okayama Association for Laboratory Science, established on December 7, 1982, celebrates its 35th anniversary on December 7, 2017. The association was established to provide opportunities for researchers interested in laboratory animals and animal experiments to assemble beyond the borders of universities, faculties, and institutions to exchange their knowledge and information, as well as help promote their research activities and advancement of community science. The executives, auditors, and other members of the association have organized and held workshops and issued newsletters under the leadership of former presidents. The association has been able to implement research activities for a long period of time thanks to the advice of regular members and the support of supporting members. The workshops have been held twice a year since 1990. A total of 74 workshops(regular conferences), as well as symposiums, have been held and 33 research bulletins (proceedings) have been issued over the last 35 years. We have summarized the workshops and symposiums etc. that have been held

Review of Studies on Japanese Quails with Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research

Japanese quails are widely used for experiments are models of birds, such as chickens, and are becoming increasingly important in research fields today. Their experimental usefulness was initially reported in an international journal for academic research by Padgett et al. and Wilson et al. in 1959, and, since then, a large number of researchers in- and outside Japan have conducted surveys and studies to examine their characteristics. In Japan, the first study on Japanese quails with a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research was conducted in 1966, followed by a large number of studies examining them. This grant program aims to support original and pioneering research activities, and is also expected to promote studies on Japanese quails in a wide range of research fields, leading to the advancement of all areas. This paper reviews previous studies on Japanese quails, conducted within the 48-year period between 1966 and 2013. They were searched for using the Database of Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research KAKEN, excluding some research subjects, and are listed chronologically by keyword. Those comparing Japanese quails with other animals or using them as part of the study are also included

Breeding, Feed, and Nutrition of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

This report summarizes research achievements on the breeding, feed, and nutrition of Japanese quail performed at the Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Department of Agriculture, Okayama University, between 1973 and 2008. 　The study included analysis of inbreeding depression and heterosis, which are important subjects in breeding. Secondly, the genetic parameters useful for selection were identified and the sexing of newborn chicks utilizing sex-linked inheritance was investigated. As problems related to feed and nutrition, the reduced excretion of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), the utilization of a cochineal residue, and the effects of red salmon astaxanthin, palm oil, and astaxanthin supplementation on eggs functions were investigated. 　In quail, inbreeding depression was noted in overall productive characters, and the depression was marked in reproductive characters, such as hatchability. The genetic load was calculated using the equation: －logeS＝A＋BF. On crossbreeding between highly inbred lines of Japanese quail, marked heterosis was noted in the hatchability, viability, and egg production rate. 　Analysis of early embryonic development showed that the number of mitotic cells, mitotic index, and 3H-thymidine and 3H-uridine uptakes were lower in the inbred embryos compared with those of hybrid embryos, indicating important metabolic differences. 　Basic information for the selective breeding of quail, heritability of characters, such as the body weight, muscle mass, skeleton, and egg characteristics were accumulated; accumulated information suggested the possibility of selective breeding with regard to these characters. 　Sexing of newborn quail chicks utilizing sex-linked inheritance was performed. Mating males of the brown line and females of the normal line, all male chicks had normal plumage colors, whereas all females had brown plumage colors, which allowed simple sexing. The supplementation of low-CP feed with essential amino acids and low-CP, low-P feed with phytase improved the growth of chicks, increased the egg production rate, and reduced N and P excretions. Phytase supplementation enhanced tibial growth in the early growth period, and reduced perosis and the mortality of chicks. When female chicks were fed a cochineal residue at 6 weeks of age, the egg production rate was similar to that of chicks fed fish meal, showing the possibility of substitution with fish meal. 　The yolk color was improved by supplementation with red salmon astaxanthin, palm oil, and astaxanthin. The yolk color improved with increases in the supplemented amounts of palm oil and astaxanthin. Astaxanthin added to feed was transferred to the egg yolk, and the antioxidative capacity improved as the amount added increased. 　To further clarify the characteristics of quail as experimental animals, and to improve their productivity as livestock, a continuation in both basic and applied research is indispensable