Effect of Age, Sex, and Egg Laying on the Total Erythrocyte Volume (51CrO4 Label) and the Plasma Volume (125I-Serum Albumin Label) of Japanese Quail

Abstract

In a study carried out to assess the effect of age, sex, and egg laying on the true Mood volume in Japanese quail by the simultaneous determination of the 51Cr erythrocyte volume and the 125I plasma volume, the mean values in milliliters per kilogram body weight for true blood volume, plasma volume, and erythrocyte volume in young unsexed quail, adult males, adult nonlaying hens, and laying quail, respectively, were 83.2, 59.1, 24.1; 74.2, 47.3, 26.9; 67.6, 42.9, 24.7; and 71.2, 47.3, and 23.8. Young birds had higher plasma volume and true blood volume and lower whole body hematocrit and Fcells ratio than the adults. The erythrocyte volume of young quail was not significantly different from that of the nonlaying hens but was less than that of adult males. Adult males had higher plasma volume, erythrocyte volume, and true blood volume than nonlaying hens. A comparison between the layers and nonlayers showed that the layers had a higher plasma volume and Fcells ratio and a lower whole body hematocrit than the adult nonlayers.