INVESTIGATING THE STRUCTURAL FEATURES OF THE INTESTINE IN JAPANESE QUAIL (COTURNIX COTURNIX JAPONICA)

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the gross features of the oviduct in Japanese quail during the pre-laying and laying stage. A total of 48 female Japanese quail birds aged 4-7 weeks were used in the study, where only the left oviduct was found to be functional. The oviduct was observed as a thin and convoluted tube in pre-laying birds compared to laying birds. The oviduct was irregular in diameter and consisted of the infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus, and vagina from cranial to caudal aspect. The infundibulum in Japanese quail showed cranial thin-walled funnel-shaped part and caudal thick-walled tubular part. Similar observations were reported in different avian species. The study highlights the importance of gross observations on the oviduct in different age groups during the pre-laying and laying stages to further understand the reproductive physiology and future reproductive-related disorders in Japanese quail. Quail is a significant bird economically due to its high egg production, small body size, and short generation interval. Therefore, a better understanding of the reproductive system of quail is essential for its proper management and utilization. The research findings encourage further investigations on the histomorphology of the oviduct in quails for better insight into reproductive physiology and related disorders