Follicular characteristics of quails fed diets containing different nutrient contents

This study investigated the follicular characteristics in quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) received diets containing different energy and protein contents. Forty-five female quails during peak of egg production were dissected to observe the follicular characteristics included ovarian weight, follicle number, diameter, and weight as well as the presence of egg in the oviduct. The quails were obtained from three groups of dietary treatments with fifteen quails as replicate. Each treatment group was fed one of the following diets: 2,800 kcal/kg metabolizable energy (ME) and 18.7% crude protein (CP) which defined as High Nutrient, 2,700 kcal/kg ME and 18.0% CP (Moderate Nutrient) and 2,600 kcal/kg ME and 17.3% CP (Low Nutrient). The ovarian weight, ranged between 5.54 and 5.66 grams, were not influenced by the nutrient contents. Furthermore, the quails fed Moderate Nutrient showed 12.5% more (P