Year 2026, Volume 11, Issue 1
| Year : | 2026 |
| Volume : | 11 |
| Issue : | 1 |
| Authors : | Rūta BUDRECKIENĖ, Jurgita DAILIDAVIČIENĖ, Kamilė KIRKLYTĖ-STOŠKIENĖ |
| Title : | PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT OF JAPANESE QUAIL MEAT AND BLOOD PROFILES BY AGE AND SEX |
| Abstract : | Quail farming is gaining global importance due to the species’ rapid growth, early maturity, high productivity, and disease resistance. Quail meat is valued for its nutritional and medical properties, competing favorably with broiler and turkey meat. This study aimed to evaluate age- and sex-related differences in the chemical composition of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) meat and blood parameters to determine optimal slaughter timing. A total of 72 Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) (aged 5-8 weeks, both sexes), raised under identical conditions, were studied. Hematological and biochemical blood parameters, as well as meat chemical composition, were analyzed. Results showed that male quails had significantly higher hematocrit (HCT), red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin (Hgb) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, but lower total protein (TP), triglycerides (TGL), calcium (Ca), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) compared to females (p<0.05 for most parameters). With increasing age, HCT, RBC, and Hgb increased in both sexes, while aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity declined. In females, blood Ca levels raise significantly with age. Regarding meat composition, male quails exhibited 28.5% higher salt content (p>0.05) than females, with no significant sex-based differences in moisture, fat, or protein levels. Meat moisture decreased (p<0.05) and fat content tended to increase with age. These findings demonstrate that both age and sex significantly influence blood parameters and meat composition (in a lesser extent) in quails. Such data may inform breeding and slaughter strategies to maximize meat quality and animal health. |
| For citation : | Budreckienė, R., Dailidavičienė, J., Kirklytė-Stoškienė, K. (2026). Physiological and biochemical assessment of Japanese quail meat and blood profiles by age and sex. AGROFOR International Journal, Volume 11. Issue No. 1. pp. 93-101. DOI: 10.7251/AGREN2601093B |
| Keywords : | quails, haematological parameters, biochemical parameters, chemical composition of meat. |
| download paper | |
ISSN 2490-3434 (Printed)
ISSN 2490-3442 (Online)
ISSN 2490-3442 (Online)
For authors
For reviewers
Search
AgroSym Symposium Archive