Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a large group of enveloped viruses with a single-strand RNA genome, which continuously circulate in mammals and birds and pose a threat to livestock, companion animals, and humans. CoVs harboured by avian species are classified to the genera gamma- and deltacoronaviruses. Within the gamma-CoVs the main representative is avian coronavirus, a taxonomic name which includes the highly contagious infectious bronchitis viruses (IBVs) in chickens and similar viruses infecting other domestic birds such as turkeys, guinea fowls, or quails. Additionally, IBVs have been detected in healthy wild birds, demonstrating that they may act as the vector between domestic and free-living birds. Moreover, CoVs other than IBVs, are identified in wild birds, which suggests that wild birds play a key role in the epidemiology of other gammaCoVs and deltaCoVs. Development of molecular techniques has significantly improved knowledge of the prevalence of CoVs in avian species. The methods adopted in monitoring studies of CoVs in different avian species are mainly based on detection of conservative regions within the viral replicase, nucleocapsid genes, and 3’UTR or 5’UTR. The purpose of this review is to summarise recent discoveries in the areas of epidemiology and diagnosis of CoVs in avian species and to understand the role of wild birds in the virus distribution.

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of the administration of active dry yeast and/or lactobacillus preparation (AVI-BAC), either before or after the infection with antibiotic resistant field strain of Escherichia coli O127 (E. coli O127) in controlling the severity of infection in quail chicks. The quail chicks of the different experimental groups were infected orally for two successive days with 3x107 CFU of E. coli O-127 as an individual dose. The used field strain proved to be highly pathogenic for quails. Probiotics were supplemented in the drinking water for the different treatment groups at a dose level of 0.5 gm/L. The results revealed that the inclusion of lactobacilli or active dry yeast before E. coli infection has been highly effective in reducing mortality rate, organ invasion and the number of E. coli positive quail chicks. In addition, it decreased the severity of macroscopic and microscopic lesions in different organs in the probiotic treated groups as compared to the infected controls. Lactobacilli preparations were more efficient in controlling the severity of the infection. On the other hand, the administration of yeast and /or lactobacilli after inducing E. coli infection reduced the mortality rate and the severity of lesion score in different organs but probiotics failed to protect quail chicks against the infection. It has been proved that the two probiotics have synergistic effect in controlling collibacillosis in quails.

In this case report, clinicopathological findings and certain biochemical parameters were presented in quails with the pendulous crop. The animal material of the study consists of a total of 3 Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). The quails were examined clinically first, followed by the post-mortem examinations. The investigations of Na, K, Mg, total TP and Alb were conducted using autoanalyzer. The plasma levels of sodium, potassium, magnesium, total protein and albumin in the blood samples collected from the animals were found to be higher than the averages for quails. Postmortem examination of quails has revealed that the veins of their crops were prominently pronounced and that the crops were filled with a yellowish, foulodor liquid containing whole grain particles. Furthermore, the crop mucosa of an animal contained ulcerative lesions. As a result, it was found that certain mineral levels and protein profiles of animals were affected by the pendulous crop phenomenon, and that laboratory findings should be considered alongside physical findings when dealing with it.

Ever since infectious bursal disease (IBD) was recognised in Nigeria over forty years ago, it continues to pose a threat to poultry production with limited information on the likely role of other avian species especially those raised in close proximity with chickens. For this study, blood samples were obtained from184 unvaccinated apparently healthy birds comprised of Japanese quails (63) andindigenous chickens (60) on smallholdings as well as pigeons (61) in a live-bird market in Osun and Oyo states, southwest Nigeria.Sera from these birds were analysed for IBD virus antibodies using a commercial ELISA kit. Overall, 69 (37.5%) sera were positive for IBDV with 52.8% (65/184) and 6.6% (4/184)from birds on smallholdings and live-bird market, respectively. These findings indicate that these birds were sub-clinically infected and could serve as reservoirs shedding the virus into the environment and perhaps, corroborate the suggestion that the inability to effectively control or eradicate the disease from poultry flocks in Nigeria may be due to limited information on the contributions of other avian species other than chicken in the spread of IBD virus.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of 4.7-mg deslorelin acetate implants on egg production and plasma concentrations of 17β-estradiol and androstenedione in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) over 180 days and assess safety of the implants in quail via gross and histologic examination. Animals: 20 female Japanese quail. Procedures: Following a 7-day period of consistent egg laying, quail were anesthetized and received a 4.7-mg deslorelin implant (treatment group; n = 10) or identical placebo implant (control group; 10) SC between the scapulae. Egg production was monitored daily. Plasma concentrations of 17β-estradiol and androstenedione were measured on days 0 (immediately prior to implant injection), 14, 29, 62, 90, 120, 150, and 180 via radioimmunoassay. Birds were weighed periodically and euthanized at day 180 for complete necropsy. Results: Egg production was significantly decreased in the treatment group, compared with the control group, from 2 to 12 weeks after implant injection. Egg production ceased in 6 of 10 quail in the treatment group (mean duration of cessation, 70 days). Plasma androstenedione and 17β-estradiol concentrations were significantly lower on day 29 in the treatment group than in the control group. Plama androstenedione and 17β-estradiol concentrations were significantly lower on day 29 in the treatment group then in the control group. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: 4.7-mg deslorelin acetate implants reversibly decreased egg laying for approximately 70 days in most of the Japanese quail evaluated. Further studies evaluating implants containing different concentrations of the drug are needed in quail and other avian species.

Objective: To determine the effects of meloxicam on values of hematologic and plasma biochemical analysis variables and results of histologic examination of tissue specimens of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Animals: 30 adult Japanese quail. Procedures: 15 quail underwent laparoscopic examination of the left kidneys, and 15 quail underwent laparoscopic examination and biopsy of the left kidneys. Quail in each of these groups received meloxicam (2.0 mg/kg, IM, q 12 h; n = 10) or a saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (0.05 mL, IM, q 12 h; control birds; 5) for 14 days. A CBC and plasma biochemical analyses were performed at the start of the study and within 3 hours after the last treatment. Birds were euthanized and necropsies were performed. Results: No adverse effects of treatments were observed, and no significant changes in values of hematologic variables were detected during the study. Plasma uric acid concentrations and creatine kinase or aspartate aminotransferase activities were significantly different before versus after treatment for some groups of birds. Gross lesions identified during necropsy included lesions at renal biopsy sites and adjacent air sacs (attributed to the biopsy procedure) and pectoral muscle hemorrhage and discoloration (at sites of injection). Substantial histopathologic lesions were limited to pectoral muscle necrosis, and severity was greater for meloxicam-treated versus control birds. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Meloxicam (2.0 mg/kg, IM, q 12 h for 14 days) did not cause substantial alterations in function of or histopathologic findings for the kidneys of Japanese quail but did induce muscle necrosis; repeated IM administration of meloxicam to quail may be contraindicated.

The serum biochemical profile of Japanese Quails which were supplanted with zinc in the diet was studied. The concentration of serum glucose, total protein, uric acid, AST, chloride and phosphorus changes when the birds were fed with zinc supplemented diet while the concentration of cholesterol, ALT, alkaline phosphatase and magnesium remains unchanged. The levels of serum glucose, AST and phosphorus increases with the increase of zinc in the diet while the level of uric acid and chloride decreased. Total protein level increased initially on zinc supplementation but further increase in the amount of zinc resulted in decrease level of total protein.

The response of Japanese quail to supplementation of Morinda citrifolia truit juice with reference to growth, production and immune response was studied. The Japanese quail were fedMorinda citrifolia ITuitjuice @5% from 0-7 weeks during growing period and from 8-14 weeks during laying periods. The body weight gains, feed conversion ratio, performance index and immunity status were recorded in both control and treated groups. The result revealed better growth performance in theMorinda fed groups compared to the control group. Overall performance index of Morinda group was also better than control group. The humonil immune response ofthe Morinda group was significantly better than control group. The Morinda fed birds produced 30.90 eggs / hen housed during 8-14 weeks of age. While only 20.9 eggs/hen housed produced by control groups. The overall analysis of the growth and production performance of both the groups revealed that supplementation of M. citrifolia crude truit juice @ 5% daily enhanced the body weight gain and egg production performance in the Japanese quail.