SELECTION OF JAPANESE-QUAIL FOR RESISTANCE TO HYPODYNAMY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF SELECTION

Japanese quail line resistant to hypodynamy have been selected during 12 generations. Cumulative egg-production throughout 14 days lasting h ypodynamy was used as the selection criterion. In each generation one half of quail with the highest egg-laying was chosen to the subsequent gene ration. The average egg-production during hypodynamy in selected line was higher than in control. There was a small decrease in body w eight detected in the selected line during hypodynamy, but food intake was increased. Egg weight, especially the egg shell weight, fertility and hatchability was in selected line higher in course of rearing. Th ere were significant differences in response of the endocrine system r epresented by hormones (catecholamines, corticosterone, thyroid hormon es, estradiol) and some indicators of intermediary metabolism (protein , glucose, cholesterol, triacylglycerols, polyunsaturated fatty acids) between nonselected and selected line of Japanese-quail to short hypo dynamy treatment.