Biomaterial Database

Dietary ferulic acid, biochanin A, and the inhibition of reproductive behavior in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix). 1982

E de Man, and H V Peeke

A study was conducted to determine the effects to two dietary compounds, biochanin A and ferulic acid, on the reproductive performance of Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix. These compounds may be present in the diet of wild birds during dry years or at the end of the growing season during normal years. Four treatment groups, each fed a diet supplemented with biochanin A or ferulic acid, and a control group were tested for morphological and behavioral effects before, during and after treatment. Fertility and hatchability data were collected during treatment only. Ferulic acid was shown to inhibit male copulatory behavior during treatment. Biochanin A inhibited male copulatory behavior during and after treatment. Neither drug affected female copulatory behavior though egg-laying was inhibited by the low dose of biochanin A. Ferulic acid significantly reduced the hatchability of eggs. Biochanin A increased the fertility of males and the hatchability of eggs fertilized by them. A correlation between results of this study and natural conditions of reproduction is discussed. It is concluded that both biochanin A and ferulic acid exert inhibiting influences on the reproductive behavior of Coturnix.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007529	Isoflavones	3-Phenylchromones. Isomeric form of FLAVONOIDS in which the benzene group is attached to the 3 position of the benzopyran ring instead of the 2 position.	3-Benzylchroman-4-One,3-Benzylidene-4-Chromanone,Homoisoflavone,Homoisoflavones,Isoflavone,Isoflavone Derivative,3-Benzylchroman-4-Ones,3-Benzylidene-4-Chromanones,Isoflavone Derivatives,3 Benzylchroman 4 One,3 Benzylchroman 4 Ones,3 Benzylidene 4 Chromanone,3 Benzylidene 4 Chromanones,Derivative, Isoflavone,Derivatives, Isoflavone
D008297	Male		Males
D011784	Quail	Common name for two distinct groups of BIRDS in the order GALLIFORMES: the New World or American quails of the family Odontophoridae and the Old World quails in the genus COTURNIX, family Phasianidae.	Quails
D002934	Cinnamates	Derivatives of cinnamic acid (the structural formula: phenyl-HC	Cinnamate
D002988	Cloaca	A dilated cavity extended caudally from the hindgut. In adult birds, reptiles, amphibians, and many fishes but few mammals, cloaca is a common chamber into which the digestive, urinary and reproductive tracts discharge their contents. In most mammals, cloaca gives rise to LARGE INTESTINE; URINARY BLADDER; and GENITALIA.	Cloacas
D003370	Coturnix	A genus of BIRDS in the family Phasianidae, order GALLIFORMES, containing the common European and other Old World QUAIL.	Japanese Quail,Coturnix japonica,Japanese Quails,Quail, Japanese,Quails, Japanese
D003373	Coumaric Acids	Hydroxycinnamic acid and its derivatives. Act as activators of the indoleacetic acid oxidizing system, thereby producing a decrease in the endogenous level of bound indoleacetic acid in plants.	Coumaric Acid,Hydroxycinnamic Acid,Hydroxycinnamic Acids,Acid, Coumaric,Acid, Hydroxycinnamic,Acids, Coumaric,Acids, Hydroxycinnamic
D004032	Diet	Regular course of eating and drinking adopted by a person or animal.	Diets
D004531	Eggs	Animal reproductive bodies, or the contents thereof, used as food. The concept is differentiated from OVUM, the anatomic or physiologic entity.
D005260	Female		Females