Biological parameters in Japanese quail genetically selected for resistance or sensitivity to an acute hypoxic...

Various biological parameters were measured in two strains of Japanese quail selected for their resistance (Ls+) or susceptibility (Ls-) to an acute normobaric hypoxic challenge. Adults of these two strains showed very little or no significant differences concerning body weights, carbon dioxide emission, photoperiodic (L----D and D----L) respiratory reactions, cloacal temperatures, heart rates and ECG QRSII amplitudes, red blood cell data, hemoglobin electrophoresis, and plasma corticosterone (before and after an hypoxic challenge). Enzymatic capacities of phosphofructo-and pyruvate kinases, of glucose-6-phosphatase, lactico- and malate-dehydrogenases, measured in brains and hearts, showed but few statistically significant differences. Changing societal contacts did not suppress the differences of acute hypoxic survival between the two strains. Several statistically significant differences which concern reproduction and eggs, and especially egg laying and egg water vapor conductance were noted between the two strains.