Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

Abstract: In this study, the influence of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism on the egg quality in 5 week-female Japanese quails was investigated. Hyperthyroidsm and hypothyroidism were achieved by mixing 0.4 mg/100 g. levatrocsyn-sodium and % 0.2 g. propylthiouracil (PTU) in to the food during the 5 weeks period, respectively. It was found that egg weight, albumen weight, shell weight and shell thickness values in both trial groups reduced (P<0.05); however, albumen index did not change. In the quails with hyperthyroidism, specific gravity and shape index of the eggs increased (P<0.05), yolk weight decreased (P<0.05) but yolk index and Haugh Unit were not affected in comparison with the control group. In animals with hypothyroidism, the specific gravity, yolk weight and shape index did not change but the decrease in yolk index of the eggs and Haugh unit was statistically significant (P<0.05).

Key Words: Coturnix coturnix Japonica, egg quality, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroxine