Preparation of Quail (Coturnix coturnix) Skeleton to Promote the Teaching Facilities of Avian Anatomy Laboratory

Abstract

The stiff structure of the body, or skeleton, provides the body with its overall form, permits movement, generates blood cells, and protects delicate organs. This research was done to prepare the quail (Coturnix coturnix) skeleton for the avian anatomy museum and educational facilities. A total of five matured Quails (at the age of 6 months) were collected from a commercial quail farm, in Khulna, Bangladesh. The carotid artery and jugular vein were carefully dissected before skinning each quail with feathers, removing all viscera, combs, and wattles. To adequately disintegrate the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, different body sections of the bones were separated, wrapped in markin cloth, and cooked in a 3% solution of soda water for 1.5 hours. The body parts were then maintained in separate solutions for 5 days. After five days, the bones were thoroughly cleaned by soaking them in a 5% hydrogen peroxide solution for 30 minutes, and rinse them under running water. To maintain the order of the vertebrae in the various segments, a steel wire was inserted into the vertebral foramen. After proper sun drying for 25 days, a set of bony components from different parts (axial and appendicular) of the body was finally found and articulated to rise into a whole skeletal frame. Therefore, the present work denotes time-consuming and easy preparation of the avian skeleton as well as the skeletal framework will be helpful for veterinary students in the avian anatomy laboratory as well as to enhance the elegance of the anatomy museum.