Day length has a major effect on the response of protein synthesis rates to feeding in growing Japanese quail
2001
Boon, P. | Watt, P.W. | Smith, K. | Visser, G.H.
We investigated the effect of day length on mixed protein fractional synthesis rates (K(s)) in 14- and 21-d-old Japanese quail (Coturnix c. japonica) habituated to either a long day length, 18 h light/6 h dark (LDL), or short day length, 6 h light/18 h dark (SDL), with free access to food during the light period. Rates of protein synthesis were measured by a flooding dose of L-[1-13C]leucine. In both groups, we measured K(s) of pectoral muscle, liver and heart after an overnight period of food deprivation and after 2-h food access at dawn. Rates of protein synthesis were also measured in LDL quail starved for 18 h and refed for 2 h. SDL chicks were smaller and had lower tissue weights at 2 wk of age than did LDL chicks (P < 0.05). Starvation led to a lower rate of protein synthesis in those animals starved for 18 h. Food availability after starvation for 18 h induced a significant rise in tissue protein synthesis in both SDL and LDL quail (P < 0.05). This increase was absent in LDL quail after a 6-h starvation period. There was an increase in K(s) to ad hoc changes in food supply. By determining the daily period in which feeding can occur, day length has a major effect on protein synthesis rates. This effect will determine the overall growth chicks are able to achieve that have been subjected to different day lengths.
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