CHANGES IN GONADAL WEIGHTS, SERUM-LIPIDS, AND GLUCOSE DURING MATURATION IN THE JUVENILE NORTHERN BOBWHITE QUAIL (COLINUS-VIRGINIANUS)

Changes in serum lipids, serum glucose, and gonadal development during maturation of Colinus virginianus were determined in two trials. In T rial 1, sex, BW, and serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high, low, and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose were determined every 2 d from 2 to 14 d and weekly from 21 to 49 d. Relative ovary or testis weights between 14 and 49 d were deter mined weekly. Body weight increased and all measured serum constituent s changed in males and females between 2 and 49 d; however, relative t estis weight decreased between 14 and 49 d. Ln Trial 2, sex, BW, chole sterol, and relative ovary and testis weights were determined in birds at 56 and 63 d of age. The distinctness of external sexual phenotype and its relationship to BW, cholesterol, and relative gonadal weight w ere also determined at 56 and 63 d. Body weight increased and serum ch olesterol decreased in both sexes between 56 and 63 d, but had no asso ciation with the distinctness of external sexual phenotype. It was con cluded that the development of external sexual identity in male and fe male Northern Bobwhite quail prior to sexual maturity was not related to changes in BW, gonad weight, serum lipids, or serum glucose before 63 d of age.