Comparison of plasma constituents between Japanese quail and chickens under fed and fasted conditions

Changes in plasma constituents after 24h fasting were compared between laying Japanese quail and laying chickens. Plasma levels of triacylglycerol greatly decreased during fasting, but no significant differences were detected between species. Plasma levels of free cholesterol, total cholesterol, glucose were significantly higher in Japanese quail than in chickens and rapidly decreased by fasting in both species. Plasma total protein level was not influenced by fasting, but the level was significantly higher in chickens. Plasma uric acid level increased during fasting in Japanese quail, but the reverse was true for the chicken. The relative weights for M. superficialis and M. profundus were higher in Japanese quail than in chicken. It is suggested that the levels of plasma constituents were different and the response to fasting somewhat specifie between the two species.