Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The management of Japanese quail and their use in virological research: A review

  • Review
  • Published:
Veterinary Research Communications Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Since the domestication of Japanese quail during the last few decades, they are extensively used as table birds and pet birds. These birds, because of their physiological resemblance to chickens, inexpensive maintenance and rapid generation turnover are increasingly used in biomedical research including virology. In the present review the life cycle of birds, care and incubation of eggs, rearing, nutrition and naturally occurring diseases are described. The use of Japanese quail, their embryos and cell cultures derived from them in virological research are also discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bammi, R.K., Schoffner, R.N. and Hayden, G.J., 1966a. Sex chromosomes in the germ cells of the chicken, turkey and Japanese quail.Poultry Science, 45:424–426.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bammi, R.K., Schoffner, R.N. and Hayden, G.J., 1966b. Sex ratios and karyotype in the chicken-coturnix quail hybrid.Canadian Journal of Genetics and Cytology, 8:533–536.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker, W.A., Spencer, J.V. and Swartwood, J.L., 1963. Storing hatching eggs in plastic bags.Poultry Science, 42:1256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bigland, C.H., Da Massa, A.J. and Woodard, A.E., 1965. Diseases of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A flock survey and experimental transmission of selected avian pathogens.Avian Diseases, 9:212–219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boesiger, E., (1969). Effects de la consanguinite sur la caille Japonaise (In French with English abstract).Bulletin Biologique, 103:285–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bogomolova, N.N., Shcherbakova, O.E., Fokina, G.C.: and Danilov, A.I., 1974 Susceptibility of Japanese quail, their embryos and quail fibroblast cell cultures to infection with avian CELO adenovirus (In Russian).Voprosy Virusologii, 4:445–449.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cain, J.R. and Wormeli, B.C., 1973. Japanese quail (Coturnix) care management propagation.Game Bird Breeders Gazette, February, p. 27–36.

  • Carlson, H.C., Seawright, G.L. and Pettit, J.R., 1974. Reticuloendotheliosis in Japanese quail.Avian Pathology 3:169–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chew-Lim, M., 1979. Adult Coturnix quail bronchitis.Avian Diseases, 24:520–526.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colwell, W.M., Simmons, D.G. and Muse, K.E., 1974. Use of Japanese quail embryo fibroblast cells for propagation and assay of turkey herpesvirus FC-126.Applied Microbiology, 27:218–223.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dutton, R.L., Kenzy, S.G. and Becker, W.A., 1973. Marek's disease in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).Poultry Science, 52:139–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edgar, S.A., Waggoner, R. and Flanagan, C., 1964. Susceptibility of coturnix quail to certain disease producing agents common to poultry.Poultry Science, 43:1315.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edgar, S.A., and Waggoner, R., 1965.Quail Quarterly, 2:11–14 cited by Subcommittee on Avian Standards, National Research Council (1969) National Academy of Sciences Washington D.C. (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

    Google Scholar 

  • El Dahaby, H., El Sabbagh, A.H. and Nassar, M.I., 1971. Some studies on the role of some wild birds in transmission of avian pox. i. Susceptibility of sparrows and doves to avian pox. ii. Pox isolates from quail.Journal of the Egyptian Veterinary Medical Association, 31:97–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eleazer, T.H., Blalock, H.G. and Warner, J.H. Jr., 1978. Eastern equine encephalomyelitis outbreak in coturnix quail.Avian Diseases, 22: 522–525.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, G. 1963. Focus formation by Japanese quail cells infected with Rous sarcoma virus.Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 31:761–765.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagen, D. von Dem and Löliger, H.C., 1978. Untersuchungen zur Epizootiologie der Wachtelleukose (In German with English abstract).Monatshefte für Veterinärmedizin, 33:591–593.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haley, L.E., Abplanalp, H. and Enya, K., 1966. Selection for increased fertility of female quail when mated to male chickens.Evolution, 20:72–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hashimoto, K., Kaneko, S., Onoshi, H., Kobyashi, K., Maeda, M. and Kita, E., 1969. An outbreak of Newcastle disease in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).Bulletin National Institute of Animal Health, 58:7–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Higgins, D.A., 1972. Growth of Newcastle disease virus in fertile eggs of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).Journal of Comparative Pathology, 82:87–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Higgins, D.A. and Wong, F.S.F., 1968. Newcastle disease in a flock of Japanese quails.Veterinary Record, 83:437–440.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, R.W. and Raymond, R.G., 1962. Apparent natural infection ofCoturnix quail hens with the virus of avian encephalomyelitis. Case report.Avian Diseases, 6:226–227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howes, J.R., 1967. Hatchery management and disease prevention ofCoturnix quail.Laboratory Animal Diagnosis, 3:12–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howes, J.R. and Ivey, W.D., 1962.Coturnix quail for veterinary research.Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association, 140:162–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ichilcik, R. and Austin, J.C., 1978. The Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) as a laboratory animal.Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 49:203–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ivey, W.D. and Howes, J.R., 1967. TheCoturnix quail (Coturnix coturnix).UFAW Handbook, pp821–829.

  • Kan, T., Koyama, K., Takaku, J., Takahashi, M. and Kunita, N., 1970. Improvement of the method of plaque formation of Influenza virus and its application to neutralization tests.Biken Journal, 13:185–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mandelli, G., Rinaldi, A., Nardelli, L., Cervio, G., Cessi, D. and Valeri, A., 1968. Osservazioni epidemiologiche su di un focolaio di influenza«A»della quaglia domestica (Coturnix coturnix japonica) (In Italian with English abstract).Atti della Società Italiana delle Scienze Veterinarie, 22:787–792.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manuel, M.F. and Guerzon, V.A., 1978. A survey on the occurrence ofHistomonas meleagridis in locally raised domestic quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica).Philippine Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 17:121–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsden, S.J. and Martin, J.H., 1955. Turkey management. 6th edition, Interstate Publishers Inc., Danville, Illinois, pp999.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mikami, T., Onuma, M., Hayashi, T.T.A., Narita, M., Okada, D. and Fujimoto, Y. 1975. Pathogenic and serologic studies of Japanese quail infected with JM strain of MD herpesvirus.Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 54:607–614.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohmond, T.H. and Coleman, T.H., 1967. A comparison of the proportion of component parts of Bobwhite andCoturnix eggs.Poultry Science, 46:1168–1171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nardelli, L., Rinaldi, A., Pereira, H.G. and Mandelli, G., 1970. Influenzavirusinfektionen bei Japanischen Wachteln (In German with English abstract).Archiv für Experimentelle Veterinärmedizin, 24:231–249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Onoda, T., 1973. Syncytium formation of Japanese quail embryo fibroblast in double infection with Rous sarcoma and measles virus.Hiroshima Journal of Medical Science, 22:43–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Onoda, T., Ono, K., Konobe, T., Naito, M., Mori, Y. and Kato, S., 1970. Propogation of herpes type virus isolated from chickens with MD in Japanese quail embryo fibroblast.Biken Journal, 13:219–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Padgett, C.S. and Ivey, W.D., 1959.Coturnix quail as a laboratory research animal.Science, 129:267–268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Panigraphy, B. and Hall, C.F., 1977. An outbreak of erysipelas inCoturnix quails.Avian Diseases, 21:708–710.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poole, H.K., 1965. Egg shell pigmentation of Japanese quail: Genetic control of the white egg trait.Journal of Heredity, 55:136–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pradhan, H.K., Panda, B.K. and Sah, R.L., 1980. Preliminary study on pathology of quail bronchitis in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).Indian Veterinary Journal, 57:707–708.

    Google Scholar 

  • Purchase, H.G., Burmester, B.R. and Cunningham, C.H., 1971. Responses of cell cultures from various avian species to MD virus and herpes virus of turkey.American Journal of Veterinary Research, 32:1811–1823.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ratnamohan, N., Bagust, T.J., Grimes, T.M., and Spradbrow, P.B., 1979. Transmission of an Australian strain of reticuloendotheliosis virus to adult Japanese quail.Australian Veterinary Journal, 55:506.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rauscher, F.J., Reyniers, J.A. and Sacksteder, M.R., 1962. Japanese quail embryo as a host for viruses.Journal of Bacteriology, 84:1134–1137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Revilla, P.S., 1974. Datos actuales sobre las enfermedades infecciosas y parasitarias de las codornices I. Enfermedades bacterianas y mićosicas. II. Enfermedades viricas. III. Enfermedades parasitarias (In Spanish).Veterinaria, 39:69–78, 119–128, 191–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reyniers, J.A., and Sacksteder, M.R., 1960. Raising Japanese quail under germfree and conventional conditions and their use in cancer research.Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 24:1405–1421.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rinaldi, A., Mahnel, H., Nardelli, L., Mandelli, G.C., Cervio, G. and Valeri, A., 1969. Richerche sui virus vaiolosi della quaglia (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Nota I: Ceppi con proprietà assimilabili a quelle dei virus pollo. Nota II: Ceppo con proprietà diverse dai virus aviari noti (In Italian with English abstract).Atti della Società Italiana delle Scienze Veterinarie, 23:1063–1066, 1066–1070.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rinaldi, A., Mahnel, H., Nardelli, L., Mandelli, G.C., Cervio, G. and Valeri, A., 1972a. Charakterisierung eines Wachtelpockenvirus. (In German with English abstract).Zentralblatt für Veterinärmedizin, 19B:199–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rinaldi, A., Nardelli, L., Mandelli, G., Valeri, A., Cervio, G. and Gandolfi R., 1972b. Ulteriori osservazioni epidemiologiche su di un focolaio di influenza ‘A’ della quaglia Giapponese (Coturnix coturnix japonica). ii. Rillievi effettuati su soggetti immunizzati ed esposti ad infezione naturale (In Italian with English abstract).Atti della Società Italiana delle Scienze Veterinarie, 26:561–565.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rossi, G.A., Simonella, P., Acciarri, C., Casalena, B., 1972. Ricerche preliminari su un focolaio di influenza nella quaglia domestica (In Italian with English abstract).Atti della Societa Italiana delle Scienze Veterinarie, 26:565–567.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanford, J.A., 1957.Proceedings of the North American Wildlife Conference, 22:316–359.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarvella, P., 1971. Raising a new hybrid: Pheasant x Japanese quail.Poultry Science, 50:298–300.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schat, K.A., Gonzalez, J., Solorzano, A., Avila, E. and Witter, R.L., 1976. A lymphoproliferative disease in Japanese quail.Avian Diseases, 20:153–161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shingo, A., Mizuma, Y., and Nishdia, S., 1971. Studies on inbreeding depression in Japanese quail.Japanese Journal of Poultry Science, 8:231–236.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shteinberg, L. Sh. and Yakovlava, G.S., 1974. A method for measles virus plaque production (In Russian).Voprosy Virusologii, 3:299–301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sittman, K., Abplanalp, H. and Fraser, R.A., 1966. Inbreeding depression in Japanese quail.Genetics, 54:371–379.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasan, V.A., Kalra, D.S., Kharole, M.U. and Dwivedi, P., 1980. Mortality patterns in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica).Indian Veterinary Journal, 57:778–779.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevens, V.C., 1961. Experimental study of nesting byCoturnix quail.Journal of Wildlife Management, 25:99–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoddard, H.L., 1931.The Bobwhite quail. new York: Scribner, 559pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Subcommittee on Avian Standards, National Research Council, 1969. National Academy of Sciences, Washington D.C. (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

  • Taylor, H.W. and Olson, L.D., 1972. Spectrum of infectivity and transmission of the T virus.Avian Diseases, 16:330–335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takayama, N. and Simizu, B., 1973. Japanese quail cells as a host for group A arboviruses.Japanese Journal of Microbiology, 17:199–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Theilen, G.H., Zeigel, R.F. and Twiehaus, M.J., 1966. Biological studies with RE virus (Strain T) that induces reticuloendotheliosis in turkeys, chickens and Japanese quail.Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 37:731–743.

    Google Scholar 

  • Villemin, M., 1972. Conservation du virus rabique chez la caille domestique (Coturnix coturnix japonica) apres inoculation intracerebrale (Note Preliminaire) (In French with English abstract).Bulletin Academy de Vet. de France, 45:237–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vohra, P., 1971. A review of the nutrition of Japanese quail.World's Poultry Science Journal, 27:26–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vohra, P. and Roudybush, T., 1971. The effect of various levels of dietary protein on the growth and egg production ofCoturnix coturnix japonica.Poultry Science, 50:1081–1084.

    Google Scholar 

  • Voronin, E.S., Kravchenko, A.T., Alitshtein, A.D., Shche-Kochikhina, E.A. and Vasil'eva, N.N., 1968. Embryos and cultures of embryonic cells of Japanese quil as possible leucosis-free systems for vaccine production and virological research (In Russian).Voprosy Virusologii, 13:345–352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weatherbee, D.K. and Jacobs, K.F., 1961. Migration of the commonCoturnix in North America. Oaklahoma Dept. of Wildlife Conservation, 32:85–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wight, P.A.L., 1963. Lymphoid leucosis and fowl paralysis in the quail.Veterinary Record, 75:685–687.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilcox, F.H. and Clark, C.E., 1961. Chicken-quail hybrids.Journal of Heredity, 52:167–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, W.O., Abbot, U.K. and Abplanalp, H., 1959. Developmental and hysiological studies with a new pilot animal for poultry-Coturnix quail.Poultry Science, 38:1260–1261 (Abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, W.O., Abbot, U.K. and Abplanalp, H., 1961. Evolution ofCoturnix (Japanese quail) as a pilot animal for poultry.Poultry Science, 40:651–657.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodard, A.E. and Wilson, W.O., 1963. Egg and yolk weight ofCoturnix (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in relation to position in egg sequences.Poultry Science, 42:544–545.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodard, A.E., Abplanalp, H., Wilson, W.O. and Vohra, P., 1973. Japanese quail husbandry in the laboratory(Coturnix coturnix japonica). University of California, Davis, pp67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zander, D.V., Lerner, I.M. and Taylor, L.W., 1942. The decline in annual egg production with age.Poultry Science, 21:455–461.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. N. Ratnamohan

    Present address: Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Hume Highway, Benalla, Victoria, (Australia)

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Public Health and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Queensland, (Australia)

    N. Ratnamohan

Authors
  1. N. Ratnamohan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ratnamohan, N. The management of Japanese quail and their use in virological research: A review. Vet Res Commun 9, 1–14 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02215123

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02215123

Keywords

Search

Navigation