Juvenile body weight and gonad development in a diallel cross among lines of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Summary The influence of growth on the extent of heterosis for juvenile body weight and gonad development was studied in a diallel cross among two lines of Japanese quail differing in adult body size. A total of 1,096 birds (563 males and 533 females) was slaughtered between 25 and 49 days of age. Reciprocal cross differences were non-significant. Heterosis showed a curvilinear course with age peaking during early growth (body weight) and during sexual maturity (gonad percentage). Overall advanced physiological development of the crossbreds probably begins as early as during the embryonic stages and results in earlier sexual maturity. In females, heterosis for percentage gonads was biased strongly by the presence of a hard-shelled egg in the uterus.