Effects of age and sex on haematological and serum biochemistry in Japanese quails

This study was conducted to determine the variations in blood parameters (haematology and serum biochemistry) at different ages (in weeks) in male and female Japanese quails. A total of hundred (100) unsexed day-old quail chicks were purchased and sorted based on sex at the third week. Blood samples were collected at the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th week of age from each sex and analysed for the haematological and serum components. The experiment was arranged in a 4 x 2 factorial layout and all data collected were subjected to one way analysis of variance in completely randomized design (CRD) using SPSS version 20 for windows. Haematological indices were not significantly (P> 0.05) influenced by age except (P< 0.05) haemoglobin which increased with increasing age. However, none of the haematological parameters were different (P> 0.05) between the sexes. Total protein, albumin and globulin decreased significantly (P< 0.05) with increasing age, however significant (P< 0.05) increase were noted for serum calcium, Aspartate transaminase (AST) and Alanine transaminase (ALT). Cholesterol was the only serum biochemical parameter that varied significantly (P<0.05) between the sexes with the highest (131.88mg/d) shown in females. All determined haematological indices did not indicate any significant (P>0.5) effect of interaction between age and sex in quails except (P<0.05) for the PCV which was highest in male quails at the 9th week (51.00%) and least in male quails at the 3rd week (36.50%). All serum indices were statistically different (P <0.05) except calcium and uric acid. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that haemoglobin increased with advancement in age while other haematological parameters were not affected. Sex did not influence haematological parameters in quails, however, female quails had higher serum cholesterol than male quails.Keywords: age, sex, haematology, serum biochemistry and Japanese quail