Directional selection for growth at two ambient temperatures in Coturnix coturnix japonica 1

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Abstract
1. Four lines of quail; random‐selected, male‐selected, female‐selected and male‐ and female‐selected lines, were subjected to 37 ± 1.6 °C from 3 to 5 weeks of age while another four lines, similarly selected, were reared at room temperature (15 to 27 °C). 2. Selection for increased growth was practised for two generations using ten females and five males as parents in each line. 3. A significant interaction between time and temperature was observed in the third generation progeny; when exposed to heat stress, the stress‐adapted lines showing a superior growth rate. 4. A sex × temperature interaction was also observed and was due largely to the control females being more sensitive to stress than the males. 5. A cumulative realised heritability estimate of 0.47 ± 0.15 for 5‐week body weight was obtained.