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Sleep characteristics in the quail Coturnix coturnix
Graciela Mexicano1, Bibiana Montoya-Loaiza1, Fructuoso Ayala-Guerrero1
1Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico Mexico.
Physiology & Behavior
|March 4, 2014
Summary
Common quail (Coturnix coturnix) exhibit polyphasic sleep, with more slow wave sleep (SWS) and REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep occurring at night. This avian model offers insights into sleep regulation mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Avian physiology
- Neuroscience
- Sleep research
Background:
- Birds, like mammals, have distinct sleep phases: slow wave sleep (SWS) and REM sleep, identifiable by unique brain activity patterns.
- The common quail (Coturnix coturnix) is a valuable animal model for physiological research, but its specific sleep characteristics remain underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the sleep patterns of the common quail across a 24-hour cycle.
- To evaluate the quail as an avian model for studying sleep regulatory mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Electrodes were implanted in Coturnix coturnix to record brain activity over 24 hours.
- Vigilance states (wakefulness, drowsiness, SWS, REM sleep) were monitored alongside ocular and motor activity.
Main Results:
- Quail exhibited four vigilance states: wakefulness (53.28%), drowsiness (14.27%), SWS (30.47%), and REM sleep (1.98%).
- Sleep distribution was polyphasic, with a significantly greater amount of sleep, including REM sleep episodes, during the nocturnal period.
Conclusions:
- The common quail displays a polyphasic sleep pattern, with a notable increase in sleep duration and REM sleep episodes during nighttime.
- Coturnix coturnix serves as a suitable avian model for investigating the physiological regulation of sleep.
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