Serum and testicular glucose, total protein and sex hormone profile of mottled brown male Japanese quails

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the total protein, glucose and sex hormone concentration in the serum and testes of mottled brown male Japanese quails at different physiological ages. Fifty-four mottled-brown male quail birds with average weight of 128.33±28.38g were allotted according to their age to three physiological age groups: pubertal (7 to 10 weeks), mature (15 to 20 weeks) and adult (24 weeks and above). Blood and testicular homogenates were used for total protein, glucose and sex-hormones determination. Testes were excised after sacrificing the birds and homogenised. The same parameters measured in the serum were determined in the testicular homogenates. Statistical comparisons were made between the serum and testicular total protein, glucose and hormonal indices. Glucose in the testes and serum were significantly (p<0.05) affected by age. There was significant (p<0.05) increase in serum glucose in the mature than in the pubertal male quails. Total protein concentration was not significantly different across the 3 age groups both in the testes and blood. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in the serum and testicular testosterone level across the 3 age groups. However, it was observed that the level of testosterone concentration was apparently higher in the testes when compared with testosterone concentration in the serum of the male quails. This study suggests that the age difference in mottled brown male quails did not affect the level of gonadotropin hormones and subsequent testosterone responsible for fertility in male animals. Mature quails had higher glycaemic index values than other age groups thereby indicating an enhanced reproductive efficiency.