Japanese quail (Coturnix c. japonica) is a model organism for numerous scientific disciplines. Quail has also been utilized as a pilot species in poultry research. Keeping Japanese quail as laboratory animals simplifies housing and production in animal research facilities. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of dietary restriction in Japanese quail (Coturnix c. japonica) by examining adiponectin gene expression and its receptors (Adipor1 and Adipor2) in the liver organ. The experiment was carried out following the principles of the EU Directive "Legislation for the protection of animals used for scientific purposes". Forty percent feed restriction significantly upregulates the expression of adiponectin and Adipor1 mRNA in male Japanese quail's liver. However, the 40% dietary restriction did not affect the expression of adiponectin, Adipor1, and Adipor2 mRNA in female Japanese quail’s liver.