Résumé
Objective To establish a genetic monitoring method for laboratory quails.Methods Quail microsatellite loci were searched in the literature,and microsatellite DNA loci suitable for quails were screened by an interspecific transfer method in closely related species,namely chickens and ducks.Quail liver DNA was extracted as a template,and the corresponding loci were screened by PCR amplification and agarose gel electrophoresis.On the basis of amplification of the selected microsatellite loci,the number of alleles,polymorphisms,and microsatellite loci combinations for quail genetic quality detection were selected and detection method were developed.Results We preliminary determined 23 microsatellite loci for genetic monitoring of closed-colony laboratory quails.Conclusions A genetic monitoring method for laboratory quails was preliminary developed.
Résumé
This study aims to evaluate effects of inclusion of moringa in Japanese quail diets on laying performance, egg quality, blood parameters, serum biochemical profile, and behavior. One hundred and forty-four Japanese quails, approximately 35-d-old, were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and six replications. Treatments were diet inclusion of 0, 2, 4 and 6% of dried and ground moringa leaves. The inclusion of moringa in diets reduces the quadratic feed intake up to the level of 1.20%, increases weight of eggs with a quadratic behavior up to 3.80%, and linearly increases yolk weight. Yolk color changes with higher levels of inclusion of moringa and resulted in more intense colors. The biochemical profile of quails changed slightly but remains within the normal range. The inclusion of 4% of moringa in diets increases alkaline phosphatase. Regarding cholesterol and triglycerides, diet with 6% moringa inclusion was lower when compared to the others. The behavior of laying quails does not change due to inclusion of moringa in diets. Up to 3.83% of Moringa oleifera can be included in Japanese quail diet to improve egg quality without compromising performance, biochemical profile, blood parameters and behavior.(AU)
O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a inclusão de Moringa oleifera na dieta de codornas japonesas sobre o desempenho, a qualidade de ovos, os parâmetros sanguíneos, o perfil bioquímico e o comportamento. Foram utilizadas 144 codornas japonesas, com aproximadamente 35 dias de idade, as quais foram distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições cada. Foram fornecidas dietas com 0, 2, 4 e 6% de folhas desidratadas e moídas de moringa. A inclusão de moringa nas dietas reduziu quadraticamente o consumo até o nível de 1,2%, aumentou o peso dos ovos com comportamento quadrático até o nível de 3,8% e aumentou linearmente o peso da gema. A coloração da gema se intensificou com maiores inclusões de moringa. O perfil bioquímico sofreu alterações leves, mas não saiu dos padrões normais para codornas. A inclusão de 4% de moringa nas dietas aumentou os níveis de fosfatase alcalina. Já a inclusão de 6% reduziu níveis de colesterol e triglicérides. O comportamento das codornas não se alterou com a inclusão de moringa nas dietas. A inclusão de até 3,83% de Moringa oleifera na dieta de codornas japonesas aumenta a qualidade de ovos sem comprometer o desempenho, o perfil bioquímico, os parâmetros sanguíneos e o comportamento delas.(AU)
Sujets)
Animaux , Coturnix , Moringa oleifera , Oeufs/analyse , Composés phytochimiques/usage thérapeutique , Plantes médicinalesRésumé
ABSTRACT Objective. The aim of present investigation was to assess the immunostimulatory activity of herb extracts from Allium sativum, Aloe arborescens and germanium oxide. Materials and methods. Quails were immunized three times orally with bovine serum albumin (BSA) in combination with the crude plant extracts and the inorganic substance which was indicated above. BSA-specific IgA antibodies in saliva and IgY antibodies in egg yolk were tested by ELISA. Results. It was discovered that the birds treated with BSA in combination with either Allium sativum or Aloe arborescens extracts or germanium oxide had higher titers of BSA-specific IgA antibodies in the saliva at the 42 day of monitoring, while the quails administered with BSA and Allium sativum or Aloe arborescens extracts or germanium oxide demonstrated higher levels of BSA-specific IgY antibodies in the egg yolk at the end of observation. Furthermore, the birds immunised with BSA alone had significantly lower immune responses to BSA than quails immunised with BSA supplemented with the herb extracts and germanium oxide. Conclusions. These data suggest that medicinal plant extracts and germanium oxide can be applied as oral adjuvants or as immunomodulators for quails.
RESUMEN Objetivo. Evaluar la actividad inmunoestimulante de extractos de hierbas de Allium sativum, Aloe arborescens y óxido de germanio. Materiales y métodos. Las codornices se inmunizaron tres veces por vía oral con albúmina de suero bovino (BSA) en combinación con los extractos vegetales crudos y la sustancia inorgánica antes indicada. Los anticuerpos IgA específicos de la BSA en la saliva y los anticuerpos IgY en la yema de huevo se analizaron mediante ELISA. Resultados. Se encontró que las aves tratadas con BSA en combinación con extractos de Allium sativum o Aloe arborescens o con óxido de germanio tenían títulos más altos de anticuerpos IgA específicos de BSA en la saliva a los 42 días de seguimiento, mientras que las codornices administradas con BSA y Allium sativum o extractos de Aloe arborescens u óxido de germanio demostraron niveles más altos de anticuerpos IgY específicos de BSA en la yema de huevo al final de la observación. Además, las aves inmunizadas sólo con BSA tuvieron respuestas inmunitarias significativamente más bajas a la BSA que las codornices inmunizadas con BSA complementadas con extractos de hierbas y óxido de germanio. Conclusiones. Estos datos sugieren que los extractos de plantas medicinales y el óxido de germanio pueden aplicarse como adyuvantes orales o como inmunomoduladores para las codornices.
Sujets)
Animaux , Caille , Immunisation , CoturnixRésumé
An experiment was conducted using one hundred and fourtyfour unsexed laying Japanese quails of about two weeks old to investigate the effect of varying levels of SMKM on the health status of quails. The results for serum biochemical composition showed that serum sodium (Na+), serum potassium (K+), serum bicarbonate (HCO3-) and creatinine were within normal ranges. However, ALT, AST, total bilirubin and serum chloride were not within the normal reference ranges. It is concluded that SMKM could replace maize up to 50% without any nutritional disorder as the parameters that were not within the normal reference ranges did not follow a regular pattern and these observations were applicable to the control experiment as well, revealing that diets would not have accounted for these anomalies.
Résumé
The health monitoring and management systems of coturniculture can be deemed to be in a developmental phase when compared to the poultry industry. Studies regarding taxonomy and parasitic biology in quails (Coturnix japonica) has not been well conducted in Brazil. Most of the information is available from the autopsy case reports, in many ways the parasitic fauna of quails is still unknown. The aim of this study was to conduct a parasitological research in quails in order to contribute to ameliorate this situation. 31 quails, which were 12 months old, were used for the study. Their carcasses and viscera were sent to the Laboratory of Entomology and Tropical Diseases, INPA, Manaus/AM. The circulatory, nervous, respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems of these were studied separately. No blood parasites were found, however, nine species of endoparasites were registered which were distributed among the classes Cestoda, Nematoda and Protozoa. The helminths were distributed in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum and oviduct. The cecum was found to be the most parasitized organ and contained a wide range of parasites having three species of protozoa and three species of nematodes. Six morphotypes of Eutrichomastix globosus were recorded, and some morphotypes were hyperparasitized with sporangia Sphaerita sp. in the cytoplasm. A large number of parasites were recorded in this study, as well as the protozoan Blastocystis hominis was first being observed for quail.(AU)
A coturnicultura conta com um monitoramento sanitário e sistemas de manejo ainda em desenvolvimento quando comparado à avicultura industrial. Pesquisas de taxonomia e biologia parasitárias em codornas (Coturnix japonica) são pouco realizadas no Brasil, sendo a maioria das informações disponíveis referentes a relatos de caso em achados de necropsia, portanto, em muitos aspectos a fauna parasitária de codornas é ainda desconhecida. Este trabalho teve por objetivo realizar uma pesquisa parasitológica em codornas em fim de postura. Para pesquisa foram disponibilizadas 31 codornas com idades de 12 meses. As carcaças e suas vísceras foram encaminhadas ao Laboratório de Entomologia e Doenças Tropicais INPA, Manaus/AM. Foram estudados separadamente os sistemas circulatórios, nervoso, respiratório, digestivo e reprodutivo. Das 31 codornas examinadas nenhuma apresentou hemoparasitos, contudo, foram registradas nove espécies de endoparasitos distribuídas entre as classes Cestoda, Nematoda e protozoários. Os helmintos distribuíam-se pelo duodeno, jejuno, íleo, cecos e oviduto. O ceco foi o órgão mais parasitado e com maior diversidade de parasitas, sendo três espécies de protozoários e três de nematóides. Foram registrados seis morfotipos de Eutrichomastix globosus, sendo que, alguns morfótipos estavam hiperparasitados com esporângio Sphaerita sp. no citoplasma. Uma grande variedade de parasitos foi registrada nesta pesquisa, bem como, o protozoário Blastocystis hominis pela primeira vez sendo descrito para codornas.(AU)
Sujets)
Animaux , Blastocystis hominis/pathogénicité , Coturnix/parasitologie , Parabasalidea/pathogénicité , Fermes/organisation et administrationRésumé
Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos do óleo ácido de soja (OAS) sobre coeficientes de extinção específica da oxidação (K232 e K270) e a metabolizabilidade das dietas e o desempenho produtivo em codornas. Um total de 80 codornas de duplo propósito foram usadas num experimento com duração de 56 dias. Foi utilizado um delineamento completamente ao acaso com cinco níveis de tratamentos para OAS (0, 25, 50, 75 e 100%), com oito repetições de duas aves cada, como substituto ao óleo de soja refinado (OS) incluído até um nível máximo de 8% na formulação da dieta. O índice de acidez e os coeficientes K232 e K270 mostraram um efeito linear crescente (P<0,001) com o aumento dos níveis de inclusão de OAS na formulação das dietas. Os coeficientes K232 e K270 não foram alterados com o armazenamento das rações durante 7 dias. A suplementação com OAS durante 56 dias não afetou o desempenho produtivo das codornas. Os resultados não mostraram efeitos do OAS sobre a metabolizabilidade de ingredientes, exceto para gordura bruta que exibiu um efeito quadrático decrescente até o nível de 50% de substituição do óleo de soja por OAS (y= 94,31-1,186x+0,018x2, R2= 0,28, P= 0,02). Em conclusão, a inclusão de até 8% de OAS na dieta durante um período curto de tempo (56 dias) não produz efeitos adversos no desempenho produtivo de codornas.(AU)
This study evaluated the effects of soybean acid oil (OAS) on oxidation products specific extinctions coefficients (K232 and K270) and metabolizability of diets and productive performance in quails. A total of 80 dual-purpose quails were used in a 56-days experiment. A completely randomised design with five treatment levels of OAS (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) as a dietary replacer for soybean oil (OS) included up to 8% in the diet formulation were used, with eight replicates of two birds each. The acidity index and K232 and K270 coefficients showed a crescent linear effect (P<0.001), with increasing levels of OAS in the diet formulation. There were no changes in K232 and K270 values during 7-days of diet storage. Supplementation with OAS during 56 days has no effect on quail's productive performance. The results showed no effects of OAS on metabolizability of ingredients except for crude fat that exhibited a quadratic effect that was decrescent to the level of 50% of OAS supplementation as soybean oil replacer (y= 94.31-1.186x+0.018x2, R2= 0.28, P= 0.02). In conclusion, dietary inclusion of OAS up to 8% in the diet during a short period of time (56-days) produce no adverse effects on productive performance of quails.(AU)
Sujets)
Animaux , Coturnix/métabolisme , Enquêtes sur le régime alimentaire/statistiques et données numériques , Huile de soja/analyseRésumé
O presente trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar a sensibilidade dos valores genéticos dos pesos corporais e as características de carcaças de codornas europeias às mudanças do gradiente ambiental (níveis da relação treonina com a lisina das dietas), do nascimento aos 21 dias de idade, por meio de modelos de regressão aleatória com diferentes classes de variância residual. Os dados utilizados neste estudo são provenientes de 915 codornas de corte da linhagem LF1 e 839 da linhagem LF2, pertencentes ao Programa de Melhoramento Genético da Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri. Foram avaliados os pesos corporais e os rendimentos da carcaça das aves. As sensibilidades dos valores genéticos às mudanças nos níveis da relação treonina:lisina (interação genótipo x ambiente) foram obtidas por modelos de regressão aleatória (utilizando normas de reação) por meio do programa Wombat, que utiliza o princípio da máxima verossimilhança restrita (REML). O modelo de regressão aleatória que considerou duas classes de variância residual foi o mais indicado para a maioria das análises realizadas. Verificaram-se alterações na classificação dos valores genéticos para as duas linhagens de codornas de corte estudadas. Esse comportamento indica sensibilidade de valores genéticos aditivos às mudanças nutricionais, o que caracteriza a existência de interação genótipo x ambiente. A predição dos valores genéticos deve ser feita com o mesmo nível da relação treonina:lisina da dieta com a qual as codornas serão alimentadas no sistema de produção.(AU)
This research was carried out to evaluate the sensitivity of breeding values of body weight and carcass traits in two lines of European quails (LF1 and LF2) to changes in the environment gradient (levels of threonine: lysine ratio of diets) from hatch to 21 days of age in two lines LF1 and LF2 using Random Regression Models with different classes of residual variance. Records are from 915 quails of line LF1 and 839 of line LF2 belonging to the Breeding Improvement Program of Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri. Live body weight and weights and yields of carcass, breast, and thigh and drumstick were measured. The sensitivities of breeding values to changes in threonine: lysine ratios (genotype x environment interaction) of diets were obtained by random regression models (reaction model) using the WOMBAT program using the Restricted Maximum Likelihood principle. Model considering two classes of residual variance showed the best goodness of fit. The Reaction Norms analyses indicated changes in the ranking of breeding values for both lines suggesting quails selected in one level of threonine: lysine ratio will not express all their genetic potential if fed different threonine: lysine ratio diets. This behavior indicates sensitivity of breeding values to changes in the nutrition characterizing the genotype by environment interaction. The prediction of breeding values must be performed using the same level of threonine: lysine ratio in diet the quails will be fed in the production system.(AU)
Sujets)
Animaux , Coturnix/génétique , Coturnix/croissance et développement , Régime alimentaire/médecine vétérinaire , Hétérogénéité génétique , Lysine/analyse , Thréonine/analyse , Phénomènes génétiques/génétiqueRésumé
Com o objetivo de avaliar a utilização do extrato de orégano nas dietas de codornas japonesas (Coturnix coturnix japonica) e desafiadas com cepas de Escherichia coli, sobre as características de desempenho, a incidência de celulite aviária e titulação de anticorpos específicos contra antígenos de E. coli, foram utilizadas 360 codornas japonesas, com 90 dias de idade, distribuídas em gaiolas de arame galvanizado em galpão convencional. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 5x2 (extrato de orégano x desafiado ou não com E. oli), totalizando dez tratamentos com seis repetições de seis aves por gaiola. Os níveis do extrato de orégano (EO) avaliados foram: 0,00; 0,025; 0,050; 0,100 e 0,150%. Foram avaliadas características de desempenho produtivo, lesões macroscópicas da celulite após períodos pós-inoculação das cepas e amostras de soro foram colhidas para verificar a titulação de anticorpos nas aves. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo Teste T. Foi observado efeito de E. coli sobre todas as características produtivas, independentemente dos níveis de EO avaliados, onde grupos desafiados apresentaram piores resultados de desempenho. As lesões macroscópicas, características da celulite, observadas somente nas aves desafiadas com E. coli foram classificadas como grau leve e sem presença de hemorragias. Para a titulação de anticorpos específicos, houve maior quantificação para aves desafiadas com as cepas de E. coli em relação às não desafiadas. Pode-se concluir que o extrato de orégano suplementado nas rações não se mostrou eficaz frente ao desafio com E. coli em codornas na fase de postura e as aves desafiadas com E. coli apresentaram maiores respostas imunes humoral e celular, em relação às não desafiadas, caracterizadas pelo aumento na titulação de anticorpos e pela lesão macroscópica peitoral, independentemente dos níveis de extrato de orégano avaliados.(AU)
The aim was to evaluate the use of oregano extract in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) diet, challenged with Escherichia coli strains, on performance, incidence of avian cellulitis and of antibody specific antigens against E. coli. Three hundred sixty Japanese quails with 90 days of age were distributed into galvanized wire cages in a conventional shed. The experimental design was completely randomized in factorial 5x2 design (oregano extract x challenged or not with E. coli), totaling ten treatments with six replicates of six birds per cage. Oregano extract levels were 0.00, 0.025, 0.050, 0.100 and 0.150%. Performance productive characteristics were evaluated, macroscopic lesions of cellulitis were measured after post-inoculation of the strains, and serum samples were collected for antibodies during experiment. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and averages compared by T test. Effect of E. coli was observed on all productive characteristics, regardless of the EO level evaluated, where challenged groups showed worse performance results. The macroscopic lesions, characteristic of cellulitis, observed only in birds of groups challenged with E. coli, were classified as mild and without bleeding. For specific antibodies, there was a higher number of birds challenged with E. coli strains in relation to unchallenged birds. It can be concluded that oregano extract supplemented in the diet was not effective against the challenge with E. coli in laying quails, and challenged birds with E. coli showed higher humoral and cellular immune response, compared with unchallenged birds, characterized by increased antibody titer and pectoral macroscopic lesion, regardless of the oregano extract levels evaluated.(AU)
Sujets)
Animaux , Cellulite/anatomopathologie , Cellulite/médecine vétérinaire , Coturnix/virologie , Régime alimentaire/médecine vétérinaire , Escherichia coli , Origanum , Thérapies complémentaires/médecine vétérinaire , Phytothérapie/médecine vétérinaire , Extraits de plantes/usage thérapeutiqueRésumé
The aim of the present study was to produce fish silage by lactic acid fermentation and evaluate its use in feeding of quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). An oven-dried mixture of fish silage and soybean meal (1:1 w/w) was used to prepare the diets with different levels of inclusion (0, 10, 20 and 30%) and evaluate its effect on the performance and meat quality of 160 quails. The inclusion level did not affect the growth and feed conversion ratio. The carcass yield (70.3%) and sensory quality of breast meat were not significantly different among the treatments (p>0.05). However, the concentration of unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic (C18:1n9C), linoleic (C18:2n6C), linolenic (C18:3n3), arachidonic (C20:4n6), cis eicosapentaenoic (C20:5n3) and cis docosahexaenoic (C22:6n3) increased in quail breast meat with the inclusion of fish silage:soybean mixture in the diet (p<0.05). Fish silage and its use in quail diets could offer a good alternative for fish waste utilization as feedstuff component for the improvement of fatty acid composition in its breast meat.
Résumé
A study was performed to verify the presence of Pasteurella multocida in eight different poultry groups of 90 birds each. Groups I to IV were chickens (I being > 6 weeks of age with a history of respiratory illness, II > 6 weeks of age and free of respiratory illness, III < 6 weeks of age with respiratory illness and IV being < 6 weeks of age and with no respiratory illness. Groups V to VIII had the matching characteristics of Groups I to V but consisted of Japanese Quails. The P. multocida isolation rate from the groups was as follows; Group I 56/90 (62.3%) Group II 18/90 (20.0%), Group III 12/90 (13.3%), Group IV 3/90 (3.33%), Group V 8/90 (8.88%), Group VI 2/90 (2.22%) Group VII 2/90 (2.22%) and Group VIII 1/90 (1.11%). These isolation rates were not significantly different within the groups of a bird type but the overall chicken isolation rate was significantly higher than the quail isolation rate (p < 0.01). All isolates were examined for their sensitivity to four antimicrobial agents. The results showed only low levels of resistance to the agents tested. The highest level of resistance detected was to cephalothin (5.1% of isolates) followed by amikacin (3.4%).
Sujets)
Animaux , Céfalotine/isolement et purification , Prédisposition aux maladies , Résistance microbienne aux médicaments , Techniques in vitro , Pasteurelloses , Volaille , Pasteurella multocida/isolement et purification , Maladies de l'appareil respiratoire , Poulets , Coturnix , Méthodes , MéthodesRésumé
Avaliou-se a sensibilidade dos valores genéticos do peso de codornas de corte, mensurados ao 21º e 35º dias de idade, a dietas contendo diferentes níveis de proteína bruta. Observações obtidas de animais provenientes de duas linhagens (EV1 e EV2) foram utilizadas no ajuste de modelos de regressão aleatória, considerando-se heterogeneidade de variância residual. Os coeficientes de regressão aleatória do intercepto (b0) e linear (b1) apresentaram correlação positiva entre si em todas as análises, porém a linhagem EV2 apresentou maior magnitude dos valores deste parâmetro para ambas as idades. Houve heterogeneidade de variância genética aditiva e alteração na herdabilidade com a mudança no nível proteico da dieta para ambos os grupos genéticos e em todas as idades avaliadas. As normas de reação do grupo EV1 indicam presença de interação entre genótipo e ambiente (G x E) em ambas as idades, com alteração na ordem dos efeitos genéticos de peso em função do nível proteico da dieta. Modificação da dispersão dos valores genéticos em função do nível de proteína indica presença de G x E na linhagem EV2. Portanto, a avaliação genética de codornas de corte sob dietas contendo determinado nível de proteína bruta não permite a predição de valores genéticos para outros níveis proteicos da dieta.
The sensitivity of genetic values for body weight of meat type quails predicted at 21 and 35 days of age under diets with different crude protein levels was evaluated. Data from subjects belonging to two strains (EV1 and EV2) were used to fit a random regression model under heterogeneity of residual variance assumption. The random regression coefficients for intercept (bo) and slope (b1) were positively correlated in all analyses results, but the correlation was higher in the EV2 data analyses for both ages. Results indicated that additive genetic variance and heritability change as a function of the environment gradient for both genetic strains and ages. The reaction norms for EV1 strain suggest there is genotype by environment interaction (G x E) for both ages as there were remarkable changes in the ranking of body weight breeding values for different crude protein levels. Furthermore, changes in the magnitude of the genetic effects dispersion as a function of protein level of diet indicates there is G x E in EV1 and EV2 strains. Therefore, the prediction of breeding values for body weight of quails under a specific level of crude protein in the diet does not hold for different environments regarding the level of this nutrient.
Sujets)
Animaux , Coturnix/croissance et développement , Coturnix/métabolisme , Analyse de régression , Techniques génétiques/médecine vétérinaireRésumé
O objetivo do trabalho foi comparar a dinâmica, a ocorrência, a morfometria de oocistos e os períodos patentes de Cryptosporidium sp. em aves domésticas, patos (Anas platyrhynchos), pintos (Gallus gallus) e codornas (Coturnix japonica), naturalmente infectadas, provenientes de dois mercados municipais do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Houve diferenças quanto à ocorrência da infecção entre os dois locais e entre pintos e patos, mas não entre codornas. Para a morfometria, foram observadas diferenças estatísticas nas medidas dos diâmetros maior e menor e para o índice morfométrico calculado (P<0,01). Já entre pintos e codornas não houve diferenças (P>0,05). Na comparação do período de eliminação, patos tiveram um maior período com maiores quantidades de oocistos eliminados. Codornas e pintos apresentaram dinâmica de eliminação semelhante e não houve diferença quanto à concentração de oocistos. Pintos foram mais susceptíveis à infecção seguidos por patos e codornas. Pode-se concluir que a infecção natural por Cryptoporidium sp. foi frequente nas aves estudadas. Patos, pintos e codornas podem ser disseminadores do protozoário em mercados municipais do Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Assim, podem constituir risco de infecção.
The objective of the current study was comparing the dynamic and occurrence of Cryptosporidium sp., as well as the morphometry and elimination period of oocysts in naturally infected ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), chickens (Gallus gallus) and Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) from two local markets of Rio de Janeiro, RJ. There were significant differences considering the occurrence of infection between the two markets, and also between chickens and ducks, but not among Japanese quails. Also, significant statistical differences were observed in morphometry, considering the major and minor diameters of oocysts and the calculated morphometric index (P<0.01); however, there was no difference between chickens and Japanese quails (P>0.05). According to the elimination period, ducks eliminated oocysts for a longer period and in a higher number. Japanese quails and chickens had a similar dynamic of oocysts elimination, no difference in its concentration was observed. Chickens were the most susceptible bird species to Cryptosporidium sp. infection, followed by ducks and Japanese quails. In conclusion, Cryptosporidium sp. natural infection was commonly found in the studied fowls. Ducks, chickens and Japanese quails may disseminate this protozoan in local markets of Rio de Janeiro, representing risk of infection.