(EFFECT OF GAMMA-RADIATION ON JAPANESE QUAILS (Coturnix coturnix japonica

Abstract

A total number of 1426 eggs and 800 hatched quails from Japanese quails were subjected to gamma-irradiation at levels, o, 0.25, 0.50, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy. Some productive traits during embryonic, growth and egg laying stages were were followed up during the experimental period. At the same time, blood picture, some enzymatic activity besides thyroid function were detected along 9 weeks of life span. Exposing the fertile eggs to gamma-rays improved hatch­ ability percent, body weight gain and reduced mortality ratio especially with low radiation levels (less than 4 Gy). Increasing the delivered doses up to 8 Gy to the eggs and/or quails raised mortality percent and reduced both of growth rate and egg production. The blood picture was much affected due to exposing the quails to gamma-rays than that occurred in the quails hatched from irradiated eggs. Moreover, the rapid repair mechanism was observed in the quails of the irradiated eggs groups particularly in blood hemoglobin. On the other hand, exposing both eggs and quails to gamma-rays resulted in a fluctuating levels in GOT and GPT values during the

experimental due to low

period. However, LDH enzyme level was decreased level radiation {0.25, 0.50 and 1 Gy) and

increased in the high radiation doses groups (4,6 and 8 Gy).

The significant effect of ionizing radiation on T 3

and

concentrations was obvious with advancing in the age of the quails resulted from the irradiated eggs. However, at 8

weeks old the over-recovery took place concerning T

levels,

while the response in T was dose dependent; being 4 inhibitory with the lower, and stimulatory with the higher doses. In the irradiated quails experiment the effect of gamma­ irradiation on T oscillated between stimulation (in 3 and 3 wks-old) and recovery to control values (in 5 and 9 wks-old).

As regards T 4

concentration, all doses were stimulatory in

the 1 wk-old and inhibitory in 7 and 9 wks-old, while no clear pattern was observed in 3 and 5 wks-old. N.B: 1 Gy = 100 rad