EFFECT OF DIETARY CALCIUM AND AGE ON THE PHOSPHATASE PROFILE OF SHELL GLAND IN JAPANESE QUAILS

Abstract

Influence of different dietary levels of both prelaying and layer Cat+ and stage of egg production (age) on the phosphatase profile (ALP and ACP) of shell gland in Japanese quails was investigated. Six hundred and thirty, three-week old female Japanese quails were reared upto sixth week of age on quail starter ration having three prelaying levels of dietary Cat+ (0.5, 0.7 and 0.9%). At the sixth week of age birds were subdivided into nine sub-groups and reared on quail layer ration with three dietary Ca2+levels (2.5, 3 and 3.5%) upto the 24th'' week of age. Thirty birds from each group/sub-group were sacrificed and shell glands were collected at the sixth,l6th' and 24°i week of age. The shell gland ALP and ACP were estimated and a positive correlation was noticed between the ACP and dietary Ca2+levels, whereas ALP was uninfluenced by dietary Ca2+ and age. The activity of ACP was significantly higher in the highest Ca2+fed group at both sixth and 16th' weeks of age. Shell gland ACP might have an important role in the transfer of Ca2+ from blood ac: oss the shell gland mucosa to the egg shell.