Magnesium deficiency in the Japanese quail

Morphological effects of magnesium deficiency on liver cells and general aspects of its influence on the metabolism were investigated in young quails. Magnesium deficiency was characterized by a depressed growth, a high mortality rate, a decrease in hematocrit and magnesium and calcium plasma concentrations. Magnesium deficiency reduced the magnesium concentration in heart by 44%, but did not affect the concentration in liver. Ultrastructural aspect of liver parenchymal cells revealed that the number of mitochondria per cell section was decreased and the average area of a mitochondrion was greater in deficient quails than in control animals. The significance of these morphological changes was discussed in relation to disturbances in energy metabolism of these organelles. From these results, japanese quail appeared as an interesting experimental model for studies on metabolic disturbances in magnesium deficiency.