Roles of age, body weight and composition in the initiation of sexual maturation of Japanese quail (coturnix coturnix japonica)

Abstract

1. The roles of chronological age, body weight and body composition in the initiation of sexual maturation of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were investigated by imposing an inhibitory photoperiod (IP), and by the intramuscular injection of turkey growth hormone (GH) or antisera to turkey growth hormone (AGH).

2. Absence of sexual maturity in the IP treatment was accompanied by reduced testis and ovary‐oviduct weights, and an increased breast muscle weight expressed as a proportion of body weight.

3. Antisera to turkey growth hormone (AGH) did not completely inhibit the metabolic activities of endogenous GH.

4. The roles of chronological age, body weight and body composition in the initiation of sexual maturity were inseparable.

Notes

Present address: Animal Science Department, University of Science and Technology, PMB 5080, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.