Effect of simulated microgravity on sexual development of female Japanese quail
2008
Skrobanek, P.,Slovenska Akademia Vied, Ivanka pri Dunaji (Slovak Republic). Ustav Biochemie a Genetiky Zivocichov | Baranovska, M.,Slovenska Akademia Vied, Ivanka pri Dunaji (Slovak Republic). Ustav Biochemie a Genetiky Zivocichov | Sarnikova, B.,Slovenska Akademia Vied, Ivanka pri Dunaji (Slovak Republic). Ustav Biochemie a Genetiky Zivocichov | Jurani, M.,Slovenska Akademia Vied, Ivanka pri Dunaji (Slovak Republic). Ustav Biochemie a Genetiky Zivocichov
Hypodynamia is a method to simulate weightlessness (microgravity) in laboratory conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of chronic hypodynamia on the growth and development of ovaries and oviducts, plasma estradiol and progesterone concentrations, and the onset of egg-laying in Japanese quails. The ovary weight gradually increased with age in both groups. However, the experimental birds showed a significant reduction in ovary weight relative to age-matched control between 21 and 42 days of age. The number of yellow follicles was similar in both groups from 49 days to the end of experiment. Control birds had significantly longer oviducts than experimental ones. The quails reared under hypodynamia laid their first egg about three days later than control birds. Plasma progesterone concentration in experimental animals was significantly reduced between the day 28 and 49. Plasma estradiol concentrations increased progressively with age in both groups. The differences between the groups were not significant at any age. These findings suggest that although hypodynamia negatively affects some of the examined variables, the females of Japanese quails are able to grow and develop normally in simulated weightlessness.
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