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Muscles of the pelvic outlet in the fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus) with special reference to their nerve supply.

The manner of innervation of the pelvic outlet muscles in fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus) was examined in detail in four male pelvic halves. The segmental arrangement of the nerve supply in the sacral and pudendal plexuses was compared to that of Lacertilia and Urodela as a basis for a morphological analysis of the pelvic outlet muscles. From the viewpoint of innervation, the pelvic outlet muscles of fowl are classified into two groups: a sphincter muscle group and a levator muscle group. These two groups are closely related to the ventral muscles of the pelvic limb. In contrast to the morphology of pelvic outlet muscles in lacertilians, in fowl the caudal muscle element does not contribute to the formation of these muscles.

Animals↗

Inhibition of flagellar motility of fowl spermatozoa by L-carnitine: its relationship with respiration and phosphorylation of axonemal proteins.

The action of carnitine in regulating fowl sperm motility was investigated. As the concentration of L-carnitine was increased (0-20 mM), the motility of intact and demembranated fowl spermatozoa was reduced at 30 degrees C. Even the presence of 1 mM CaCl2 before the addition of 10 mM carnitine could not prevent the inhibition of motility at 30 degrees C and 40 degrees C. However, motility was restored by reducing the concentrations of carnitine. Carnitine also inhibited the oxygen consumption and ATP concentrations of intact spermatozoa, and caused a reduction in intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations. Phosphorylation of a 50 kDa protein and dephosphorylation of 24 kDa and 30 kDa proteins of demembranated spermatozoa were observed after the addition of carnitine. In contrast, the flagellar ATPase activity of crude dynein extract was not affected by the addition of carnitine. These results suggest that inhibitory effect of carnitine for motility may be directly on the axonemal phosphoproteins, but not directly on the dynein ATPase activity. The physiological role of carnitine for fowl spermatozoa in the ductus deferens is discussed.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Crystal structures of pheasant and guinea fowl egg-white lysozymes.

The crystal structures of pheasant and guinea fowl lysozymes have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. Guinea fowl lysozyme crystallizes in space group P6(1)22 with cell dimensions a = 89.2 A and c = 61.7 A. The structure was refined to a final crystallographic R-factor of 17.0% for 8,854 observed reflections in the resolution range 6-1.9 A. Crystals of pheasant lysozyme are tetragonal, space group P4(3)2(1)2, with a = 98.9 A, c = 69.3 A and 2 molecules in the asymmetric unit. The final R-factor is 17.8% to 2.1 A resolution. The RMS deviation from ideality is 0.010 A for bond lengths and 2.5 degrees for bond angles in both models. Three amino acid positions beneath the active site are occupied by Thr 40, Ile 55, and Ser 91 in hen, pheasant, and other avian lysozymes, and by Ser 40, Val 55, and Thr 91 in guinea fowl and American quail lysozymes. In spite of their internal location, the structural changes associated with these substitutions are small. The pheasant enzyme has an additional N-terminal glycine residue, probably resulting from an evolutionary shift in the site of cleavage of prelysozyme. In the 3-dimensional structure, this amino acid partially fills a cleft on the surface of the molecule, close to the C alpha atom of Gly 41 and absent in lysozymes from other species (which have a large side-chain residue at position 41: Gln, His, Arg, or Lys). The overall structures are similar to those of other c-type lysozymes, with the largest deviations occurring in surface loops. Comparison of the unliganded and antibody-bound models of pheasant lysozyme suggests that surface complementarity of contacting surfaces in the antigen-antibody complex is the result of local, small rearrangements in the epitope. Structural evidence based upon this and other complexes supports the notion that antigenic variation in c-type lysozymes is primarily the result of amino acid substitutions, not of gross structural changes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Regulation of fowl sperm flagellar motility by protein phosphatase type 1 and its relationship with dephosphorylation of axonemal and/or accessory cytoskeletal proteins.

The motility of demembranated fowl spermatozoa was vigorous at 30 degrees C in the presence of ATP, but decreased markedly following the addition of recombinant protein phosphatase type 1 (PP-1) supplemented with Mn2+. This inhibition was not restored by the addition of cAMP, within the range 1-1000 microM, but instantly restored by the addition of 50 ng/ml trypsin. Phosphorylation of demembranated fowl sperm proteins during incubation with [gamma-32P]ATP at 30 degrees C was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). A marked difference in phosphorylation status was observed in approximately 116, 86, 79, 50 and 29-kDa proteins. These proteins were dephosphorylated in the presence of PP-1 and Mn2+ compared with those in control samples. These results suggest that PP-1-mediated dephosphorylation of some of these proteins of the axoneme and/or accessory cytoskeletal components of fowl spermatozoa may be involved in the inhibition of motility.

Animals↗

Stress-induced changes in immune function are associated with increased production of an interleukin-1-like factor in young domestic fowl.

Investigation of the effects of stress on the immune system in young developing animals is hampered by many variables such as maternal interactions and physical size of immune organs. Young, precocial domestic fowl were used to overcome these difficulties. Domestic fowl, 14 days posthatch, served as an animal model to investigate the effects of stress (acute social isolation) on a rapidly developing immune system. Group-housed animals were isolated for 30, 60, or 90 min and assayed for numerative and functional changes in immune parameters in spleen and blood. The socially isolated birds showed an increase in body temperature, indicative of stress. The number of leukocytes/ml of blood increased in a time-dependent fashion, but the number of leukocytes in the spleen did not. The stress of isolation resulted in a significant increase in B-lymphocyte mitogen proliferation at 30 min, which decreased with time. Social stress also induced a time-dependent decrease in T-lymphocyte mitogen proliferation, which was significant by 90 min. Associated with changes in mitogen responsiveness was a significant increase in the production of an IL-1-like factor by splenic adherent cells from animals isolated for 30 min, which decreased in a time-dependent manner to return to baseline by 90 min. Thus, young domestic fowl represent a practical model for the examination of the effects of stress on immune function in a developing animal.

Animals↗

In vitro comparison of fowl sperm viability in ejaculates frozen by three different techniques and relationship with subsequent fertility in vivo.

A series of experiments was conducted to compare the viability of fresh fowl spermatozoa, samples suspended in three cryoprotectants (CPAs), frozen/thawed samples, and frozen/thawed samples maintained in vitro for up to 24 h. The CPAs used were glycerol (Glyc), dimethylacetamide (DMA), and dimethylformamide (DMF). Viability was assayed using two double stains, Eosin + Nigrosin or SYBR-14 + PI (propidium iodide). Semen samples examined with SYBR-14 + PI indicated significant differences in viability between fresh and ready-to-freeze preparations (fresh, 83%; Glyc, 73%; DMA, 74%; DMF, 72%; P < 0.05). In contrast, Eosin + Nigrosin did not detect any difference at this stage (fresh, 88%; Glyc, 86%; DMA, 87%; DMF, 88%; P > 0.05). The percentages of viable spermatozoa in frozen/thawed ejaculates stored in vitro for 0, 4, and 24 h were generally higher in samples treated with glycerol than in those treated with DMA or DMF, irrespective of the technique used to assess sperm viability (P < 0.05). Fertility in eggs obtained from hens inseminated with semen frozen in DMA reached levels comparable to those obtained from hens inseminated with fresh undiluted semen (88 and 93%, respectively; P > 0.05). In contrast, fertility of eggs from hens inseminated with semen frozen in DMF or glycerol was significantly lower, although still very good, than that observed in eggs from hens inseminated with semen frozen/thawed in DMA (79 and 76%, respectively; P < 0.05). Finally, the double stain SYBR-14 + PI was proven more effective than Eosin + Nigrosin to assess sperm viability in fresh, stored, and frozen fowl semen. However, additional tests (e.g., morphology, acrosomal status, motility) remain necessary to develop a working model of in vitro sperm analysis capable of revealing the fertilizing potential of fresh and frozen fowl spermatozoa.

Acetamides↗

Reduced renal arterial perfusion pressure stimulates renin release from domestic fowl kidneys.

Systemic hypovolemia and hypotension increase plasma renin activity (PRA) in fowl, but it is not clear whether this response is mediated directly by reduced renal arterial perfusion pressure (RAPP) or indirectly via renal nerves activated when systemic baroreceptors detect hypotension. To evaluate the influence of RAPP on renin release, arterial and renal venous blood samples were collected as RAPP was reduced step-wise from 108 mm Hg (control) to 71 and 47 mm Hg. PRA in systemic arterial (aPRA) and renal venous (vPRA) plasma was measured as the rate of fowl angiotensin I (ANG I) generation. Basal vPRA (2.47 +/- 0.6 ng x ml-1 x min-1) tended to be higher than aPRA (1.24 +/- 0.3 ng x ml-1 x min-1). When RAPP was reduced to 47 mm Hg both vPRA (4.35 +/- 0.6 ng x ml-1 x min-1) and aPRA (1.91 +/- 0.3 ng x ml-1 x min-1) increased significantly. Significant negative slopes (P = 0.01) were obtained when changes in aPRA or vPRA were regressed on RAPP. Mean systemic arterial pressure did not change during reductions in RAPP, nor did angiotensinogen concentrations differ when systemic arterial (472 +/- 30 ng/ml) and renal venous (460 +/- 27 ng/ml) plasma values were compared. Renal plasma flow was fully autoregulated as RAPP was reduced from 108 to 47 mm Hg; consequently, RAPP-induced increases in vPRA cannot be attributed to hemoconcentration of secreted renin. These results demonstrate that reductions in RAPP directly stimulate renin release from domestic fowl kidneys.

Angiotensin I↗

The distribution and localisation of acid trimetaphosphatase in developing heterophils and eosinophils in the bone marrow of the fowl and the duck.

The distribution and localisation of acid trimetaphosphatase was investigated in developing heterophils and eosinophils from fowl and duck. In the heterophils of both species, trimetaphosphatase activity progressively increased in concentration from a thin peripheral band in the round immature primary granules to a fairly dense uniform reaction product in most of the mature specific spindle-shaped granules. Fowl and duck primary eosinophil granules had a similar distribution of reaction product as heterophils. In duck specific eosinophil granules the crystalline interna or externa, or both regions, contained strong activity whereas in the fowl, the activity of the specific granules was strongly-uniform in appearance.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗

Expression of neuron-specific enolase in the pineal organ of the domestic fowl during post-hatching development.

Immunohistochemistry for neuron-specific enolase (NSE) revealed that NSE is localized in both a limited number of pinealocytes and intrinsic afferent neurons in the pineal organ of the domestic fowl. Furthermore, a computer-assisted three-dimensional imaging technique allowed to clarify the reverse distributional pattern of both elements: NSE-positive pinealocytes displayed a dense distribution especially in the vesicular portion of the gland, whereas NSE-immunoreactive nerve cells were mainly found in the pineal stalk. The number of NSE-positive intrinsic neurons in the pineal organ of chickens decreased rapidly after hatching, with a concentration of these elements in the basal portion (stalk) of the pineal organ. On the other hand, immunoreactive pinealocytes increased remarkably in the end-vesicle of the organ with age, followed by a gradual expansion toward the proximal portion. Thus, the spectacular increase in NSE-positive pinealocytes and the progressive reduction of reactive neurons occurred in parallel during the course of post-hatching development. NSE-immunoreactive pinealocytes displayed morphological characteristics of bipolar elements, endowed with an apical protrusion into the pineal lumen and a short basal process at younger stages, whereas multipolar types of NSE-positive pinealocytes were predominantly found in the adult domestic fowl. These results indicate that in the pineal organ of the domestic fowl (1) the ontogenetic expansion of NSE-immunoreactive pinealocytes is paralleled by a regressive afferent innervation, (2) the NSE-positive pinealocytes transform from a bipolar (columnar) type to a multipolar type during post-hatching development, and (3) these ontogenetic changes in the NSE-immunoreactivity and morphology of pinealocytes may reflect the development of a neurosecretory-like capacity of the organ.

Animals↗

Ectoparasites of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris galeata Pallas) and local domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) in southern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria.

The ectoparasites of poultry in a southern guinea savanna zone were investigated by the examination of guinea fowl and local domestic chickens in the range and guinea fowl under intensive management. The prevalent ectoparasites of range guinea fowl and local chickens include seven species of lice Menacanthus stramineus, Menopon gallinae, Goniodes gigas, Goniocotes gallinae, Lipeurus caponis, Numidilipeurus tropicalis, Damalinia bovis; three mites Bdellonyssus bursa, Megninia cubitalis, Dermanyssus gallinae; two fleas Echidnophaga gallinacea, Ctenocephalides felis and two ticks Argas persicus and Ambylomma variegatum. Under intensive management, infestation by G. gigas, L. caponis and M. gallinae led to clinical signs, feather damage, reduced food intake and death.

Animals↗

Enhanced behavioural, electrocortical and hyperthermic effects of serotonin-like agents after impairment of serotonin transmission in fowl brain.

In adult fowls and in young chicks (Gallus domesticus) the effects were studied on body temperature, behaviour and electrocortical activity of 5-HT and other direct or indirect serotonin agonists given into the III cerebral ventricle in conditions of prolonged impairment of serotoninergic transmission. In chicks pretreated with 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine the subsequent intraventricular injection of 5-HT produced more intense and longer-lasting hyperthermic response and behavioural and electrocortical sleep. On the other hand fenfluramine given intraventricularly in fowls pretreated with 5,6-DHT did not produce significant body temperature and behavioural changes. After 14 and 21 day treatment with methysergide the subsequent administration of 5-HT, fenfluramine and quipazine produced in fowls an hyperthermic response and behavioural sleep more marked and longer-lasting than in control animals. The present experiments show that in conditions of chronic impairment of 5-HT function there is an enhanced behavioural and body temperature response to 5-HT and drugs acting by releasing endogenous 5-HT or 5-HT agonists.

5,6-Dihydroxytryptamine↗

Susceptibilities of northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Acarina: Macronyssidae), and chicken mite, Dermanyssus gallinae (Acarina: Dermanyssidae), to selected acaricides.

The relative toxicities of ten acaricides to northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini and Fanzago), and the chicken mite, Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer), were determined simultaneously by holding the mites inside disposable glass Pasteur pipettes previously immersed in acetone solutions of various concentrations (w/v) of technical grade acaricides. The LC90s (parts per million) of the acaricides after 24 h exposure for the northern fowl mite and the chicken mite, respectively, were: bendiocarb (13.1, 0.18), tetrachlorvinphos (14.5, 4.07), carbaryl (15.0, 0.83), pirimiphos methyl (18.3, 2.03), permethrin (23.1, 8.46), lambda cyhalothrin (80.7, 11.4), dichlorvos (252.8, 3.75), malathion (238.4, 6.59), amitraz (6741, 9430) and fenvalerate (greater than 10,000, 60.2). After 48 h exposure there were only slight increases in mortalities of both species except for increased mortalities for the northern fowl mite with lambda cyhalothrin, amitraz and fenvalerate, and for the chicken mite with amitraz.

Animals↗

Relation between drug resistance and antigenicity among norakin-resistant mutants of influenza A (fowl plague) virus.

Norakin-resistant (NR) mutants of fowl plague virus (A/FPV/Weybridge, H7N7) have 1 to 2 (in one instance 3) amino acid substitutions in different positions of the heavy (HA 1) and/or light (HA 2) subunits of the haemagglutinin (HA) molecule. Investigation of NR mutants using the haemagglutination inhibition test with monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to the HA of A/seal/Massachusetts/80 (H7N7) virus revealed that one of the mutants (NR 1) differs antigenically from the wild-type fowl plague virus: its haemagglutination was not inhibited by MAb 55/2 and 58/6. By contrast, MAb-resistant (escape) mutants, selected from the wild-type fowl plague virus under pressure from MAb 55/2 or 58/6, showed reduced drug sensitivity. These findings suggest a possibility of correlation between alteration of influenza virus antigenicity and change of its sensitivity to drugs whose target is the haemagglutinin. This potential effect should be taken into account when antiviral substances directed to surface influenza virus antigens are being developed for use as antiviral drugs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Rapid diagnosis of fowl pox with coagglutination assay.

The coagglutination test was standardised for detection of fowl pox antigen in infected scabs and chorioallontoic membrane of chicken embryos. The Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I strain, containing large amounts of Protein A in their cell wall, coated with fowl pox antibodies was found specific and sensitive for detection of fowl pox antigen. The test is easy to perform and rapid as the positive results can be read within 15 seconds.

Agglutination Tests↗

Estrogen and cancellous bone loss in the fowl.

Female birds model a type of woven bone prior to egg laying which is known as medullary bone. Medullary bone modeling is estrogen dependent and in the female fowl coincides with a decrease in cancellous bone volume. Medullary bone modeling was induced in male laying-strain fowl by the administration of estrogen and prevented in females by the administration of tamoxifen. In estrogen-treated males, medullary bone modeling was accompanied by cancellous bone loss; cancellous bone volume was significantly lower than in control males (P < 0.001). In females, the prevention of medullary bone modeling by tamoxifen treatment resulted in significantly higher cancellous bone volumes than in control females (P < 0.001). Estrogen therefore appears to play a role in cancellous bone loss in the fowl.

Animals↗

Presence of protein phosphatase type 1 and its involvement in temperature-dependent flagellar movement of fowl spermatozoa.

Even in the presence of ATP, the motility of demembranated fowl spermatozoa was negligible at the avian body temperature of 40 degrees C. Motility could be restored by the addition of calyculin A, okadaic acid, specific inhibitors of phosphatase type 1 (PP1) and PP-2A, and inhibitor 1 or inhibitor 2, which are specific inhibitors of protein phosphatase type 1 (PP1). Demembranated spermatozoa, stimulated by calyculin A or okadaic acid, lost their motility following the addition of 1 mM CaCl2, but this was restored gradually by the stepwise addition of EGTA. Immunoblotting of sperm extract using an antibody to PP1 revealed a major cross-reacting protein of 36-37 kDa, which corresponded to the molecular weight of the known catalytic subunit of PP1. These results suggest that PP1 present in the fowl sperm axoneme may be involved in the inhibition of fowl sperm motility at 40 degrees C via Ca(2+)-dependent regulatory systems.

Animals↗

Synthetic human pancreatic growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) stimulates growth hormone secretion in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus).

Synthetic human pancreatic Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor (hpGRF) elevated the plasma concentration of growth hormone (GH) in young and adult domestic fowl. This in vivo effect of hpGRF appeared to be largely similar for both the 32 amino-acid (hpGRF 1-32) or 40 amino-acid (hpGRF 1-40) polypeptide, although the effect of hpGRF 1-32 was more prolonged than that of hpGRF 1-40 in adult domestic fowl. The increase in plasma GH concentrations following hpGRF administration (10 micrograms/kg) was somewhat greater in young than adult chickens (the increase in plasma concentration of GH being 230 ng/ml at 1 week old, 282 ng/ml at 6 week old, 241 ng/ml at 10 weeks and 150 ng/ml in adults). In the adult domestic fowl hpGRF stimulated a greater increase in the plasma concentration of GH than did thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). However in the young chicks TRH was more active. The in vitro release of GH from dispersed chicken pituitary cells was elevated by hpGRF (1-32) and hpGRF (1-40).

Animals↗

Preloads of water, but not isotonic saline, reduce drinking in domestic fowls.

Fowls were deprived of water for 2 or 6 hr, and then given graded intravenous (IV) injections of water or isotonic saline. With both levels of deprivation, water preloads caused dose-dependent reductions in water intake which matched closely the volumes of preload given, whereas isotonic saline preloads had no effect on drinking, and feeding was unaffected in both cases. These results imply that drinking elicited by short periods of water deprivation is a response to increased plasma osmolality rather than to a loss of extracellular fluid volume. In further experiments, water intakes were reduced by at least as much as the volume administered when undeprived fowls were given 6 hr continuous IV infusions or IV injections of water, and food intakes were also suppressed. Plasma analyses taken at the end of continuous infusions of water indicated a fall in osmolality during this time. It was concluded that whereas increases in plasma osmolality increase drinking in fowls, a fall in osmolality below normal inhibits both drinking and feeding. It is suggested that spontaneous drinking may be regulated mainly by changes in plasma osmolality, rather than in extracellular volume.

Animals↗