Use of Male Coturnix Quail in the Laboratory Development of Avian Chemosterilants

Egg fertility of coturnix quail (Coturnix coturnix) was measured for 35 to 45 days following single oral doses of six candidate chemosterilants to adult breeding males, adult males whose testes has been regressed by photoperiod manipulation, twelve-day-old male chicks, and six-week-old males with undeveloped testes. Azacosterol, 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol, and mestranol were essentially inactive at 100 or 316 mg/kg in all treatment groups. Breeding adults were sterile for 10 to 25 days after doses of 31.6 mg/kg busulfan, 31.6 mg/kg triethylenemelamine, or 316 mg/kg isopropyl methane sulfonate—all alkylating agents. Adults with regressed testes showed reduced fertility or sterility after treatment with busulfan and triethylenemelamine. These tests indicate that the evaluation of male chemosterilants intended for use on wild avian populations during the period of testicular regression should consist of initial tests on breeding adult quail, followed by tests on adult quail with regressed testes if sterility is noted.