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Intravenous hypertonic saline injections and drinking in domestic fowls.

Fowls were given intravenous (IV) injections of hypertonic solutions of NaCl, and subsequent water intakes were recorded. All concentrations of hypertonic NaCl increased drinking in the 90 min after injection, compared with control treatments. Increments in drinking in this time agreed closely with calculated amounts required to restore normal osmolality. In further experiments, delaying access to water by periods of 60-360 min after injection failed to reduce drinking elicited by hypertonic NaCl. Injections of 2.0 M NaCl caused increases in plasma osmolality and sodium concentration which were maintained throughout 360 min water deprivation, and caused prolonged reductions in hematocrit and plasma protein concentrations. These results demonstrate that cellular dehydration is a potent thirst stimulus in fowls, and imply that fowls do not reduce hyperosmolality by excretion of salt when water is unavailable.

Animals↗

Serum electrolyte and enzyme responses to heat stress and dehydration in the fowl (Gallus domesticus).

1. Serum electrolytes, enzymes and various metabolites were determined in the hyperthermic and dehydrated fowl. 2. In normally-hydrated fowls, heat stress did not significantly affect blood constituents. 3. Water deprivation for 48 hr (dehydration) significantly (p less than 0.05) increased Na+, osmolality, SGPT and T3-retention. 4. During hyperthermic dehydration, Na+, Cl-, osmolality (p less than 0.01), BUN, glucose, T3-retention (p less than 0.02) and uric acid (p less than 0.001) significantly increased. 5. The present findings are consistent with the suggestion that changes in Na+/Ca2+ ratio might raise the hypothalamic thermoregulatory set-point and support our previous findings that acclimated fowls could efficiently regulate body temperature and acid-base status while avoiding extreme metabolic and enzymatic changes during heat exposure and dehydration.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Effects of temperature on the immobilization and the initiation of motility of spermatozoa in the male reproductive tract of the domestic fowl, Gallus domesticus.

1. The motility of undiluted fowl spermatozoa taken from testis, epididymis and ductus deferens was negligible at 40 degrees C, around the normal avian body temperature. 2. The immobilization was not permanent and motility was restored by decreasing the temperature to 30 degrees C or by suspending in a NaCl/TES buffer with 2 mM Ca2+, 2 mM HCO3- or 10% seminal plasma at 40 degrees C. 3. Demembranated spermatozoa taken from testis, epididymis and ductus deferens were also immotile at 40 degrees C. However, these spermatozoa were restored the motility at 30 degrees C except testicular spermatozoa. 4. These results suggest that the capacity of movement of fowl spermatozoa can be readily obtained from testis, but that these spermatozoa are immotile due to temperature-dependent immobilization in the male reproductive tract. 5. Furthermore, it is possible that changes in environmental temperature at ejaculation are one of the important exogenous physiological factors of the initiation of fowl sperm motility.

Animals↗

Helminths of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) in Bashkir ASSR.

Guinea fowl from different regions of Bashkir Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (BASSR) were examined for helminths. Of the 547 fowl examined, 451 (82.4%) harboured at least one species of helminth. A total of 56,772 helminths were collected and classified. Of this number seven were found to be trematodes, 25 cestodes and 56,740 nematodes. Five species of helminths were identified. Amongst infected birds, trematodes were present in three (0.7%), cestodes in eight (1.8%) and nematodes in 451 (100%). Of all recorded helminths, the incidence of Heterakis gallinarum (Gmelin, 1790) was highest. Pre-patent periods for seven species of trematodes were observed in guinea fowl for the first time.

Animals↗

Glycolytic enzymes of fowl and turkey spermatozoa.

It was confirmed that, under anaerobic conditions, fowl spermatozoa formed lactate from glucose thirteen times faster than turkey spermatozoa. The profiles of glycolytic enzyme activities were similar for spermatozoa from both species; however fowl spermatozoal activities were generally 2- to 4-fold higher. Exceptions were glycerophosphate mutase and lactate dehydrogenase activities which were respectively 9.5 and 41 times greater in fowl spermatozoa. In both species, spermatozoal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase had the lowest activity of the glycolytic enzymes.

Anaerobiosis↗

Male mounting alone reduces female promiscuity in the fowl.

The fertilization success of an insemination is at risk when a female has the possibility to copulate with multiple males, generating sperm competition and sexual conflict over remating. Female propensity to remate is often reduced after copulation, and a staggering diversity of highly derived male traits that discourage female promiscuity have been investigated. However, it is difficult to separate the effect of such specialized traits and insemination products from the more basic effect that the act of mounting per se may have on female remating. Here, we use a novel approach that separates the influence of mounting from that of insemination on female remating in the promiscuous feral fowl. Mounting alone caused a transient but drastic reduction in female propensity to remate, and-crucially-the number of sperm that a female obtained from a new male. Therefore, like other taxa, female fowl show a reduction in promiscuity after copulation, but this is entirely due to mounting alone. This effect of mounting, independent of insemination and fertilization, indicates that even copulations that deliver little or no semen, a puzzling behavior common in many species including the fowl, may play a crucial role in sperm competition.

Animals↗

Effects of estrogens during embryonal development on crowing in the domestic fowl.

In the domestic fowl, crowing is typically a male-specific vocal behavior while the females normally do not crow. These sex differences in vocalization may result from organizational actions of estrogens during specific periods of embryonic development. To further investigate the role of estrogens in differentiation of crowing and development of the acoustic characteristics of crow calls, male domestic fowls were treated on Incubation Day 8 with estradiol benzoate (EB) or either oil or saline vehicles. On the same incubation day, the female fowls were treated with an aromatase inhibitor, fadrozole, or saline vehicle. An adulthood vocalization of cocks and hens was recorded during corresponding tests of sexual behavior. The exposure to EB or fadrozole had no effect on sexual differentiation of the gonads and all fadrozole-treated hens laid eggs at a rate similar to the control hens that received saline. While the levels of plasma testosterone at adulthood did not differ in treated and untreated cocks, the incidence of crowing rate was significantly lower in cocks that were exposed to estradiol. Acoustic analysis revealed a considerable reduction in duration and acoustic energy of calls while the main frequency characteristics were not changed. Four out of the seven tested fadrozole-treated hens demonstrated regularly crow-like vocalization with shorter duration and lower energy of calls in comparison to crows of the control males. These findings point out to a role for estradiol in organization of crowing behavior and a specific temporal pattern of the crowing call.

Androgens↗

Olfaction in the domestic fowl: a critical review.

It has been known for some time that many species of birds, including domestic fowl Gallus domesticus, have an olfactory sense. However, the functional significance of avian olfaction is less clear. We review neurobiological, embryological and behavioral evidence relevant to the question of how domestic fowl use the sense of smell. Evidence suggests a potential role for olfaction in the formation of attachments to familiar objects or environments; in the elicitation of fear responses by alarm and predator-related odors; in the control of feeding and drinking; and in avoidance of noxious substances. The fact that domestic fowl can detect and respond to a wide range of odors, in a variety of behavioral contexts, has important practical implications, especially in relation to welfare and husbandry.

Animal Husbandry↗

Growth characteristics of fowl adenovirus type 8 in a chicken hepatoma cell line.

Fowl adenoviruses, many of which appear to be non-pathogenic, are ubiquitous in birds. In addition, the genome of these viruses is large, making them ideal candidates for construction as vectors for foreign genes. Current methods to cultivate fowl adenoviruses use primary cell cultures derived from embryonated chicken eggs. In order to provide a more suitable culture method, the growth of fowl adenovirus type 8 (FAdV-8) was investigated in CH-SAH, a continuous hepatoma cell line. A one step growth curve demonstrated release of extracellular virus beginning by 18 h p.i. and with a final yield about 100 fold higher than that in chicken embryo liver cells. Viral DNA synthesis was first detected 8 h prior to this. The CH-SAH cell line supported the production of progeny viruses similar to the wild-type virus after being transfected with purified FAdV-8 DNA. This study demonstrated that the continuous hepatoma cell line is an appropriate in vitro host for FAdV-8.

Animals↗

Group size and perching behaviour in young domestic fowl.

To test the hypothesis that young domestic fowl perform less perch-related antipredator behaviour with increasing group size, White Leghorn pullets were reared in four replicate groups of 15, 30, 60 and 120 at a constant density of 5 birds/m(2). Each pen contained perches 20, 40 and 60cm above the ground. Perch space per bird per perch level was the same for all groups. It was predicted that, with increasing group size, domestic fowl would (1) spend less time on perches (i.e. more time down on the floor); (2) be less vigilant while perching; (3) spend relatively more time preening down on the floor. As predicted, the proportion of 3- to 18-week-old birds roosting on perches during scans throughout the photoperiod decreased with increasing group size, from 41+/-1.7% in groups of 15 birds to 33+/-1.6% in groups of 120 birds. This effect was due to reduced use of the lower perches; use of the highest perches was high at all group sizes. The proportion of birds vigilant on the highest perches of those present on that perch level decreased with increasing group size. The proportion of birds engaged in the vulnerable activity of preening down on the floor increased with group size. The frequency of transitions between floor and perches was not affected by group size but birds received more disturbances from other birds when on the top perch level in the larger groups. Thus, the decline in vigilance on the top perch level with increasing group size was not due to reduced disturbance from other birds. In conclusion, despite domestication and protection from non-human predators, changes in the use of perches by young domestic fowl with increasing group size were consistent with the antipredator hypothesis.

Journal Article↗

Effects of food deprivation, strain, diet and age on feeding responses of fowls to intravenous injections of cholecystokinin.

This paper presents new information about inhibitory effects of intravenous injections of cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8) on feeding activity in birds, with particular reference to variation in motivational state. With increasing food deprivation (0, 1, 2 or 3 h) before injection, doses of 2 and 8 micrograms/kg CCK-8 became progressively less effective in suppressing feeding of domestic fowls. As with mammals, latency to feed was shorter, and subsequent feeding activity greater, with deprived than with undeprived birds. Fowls of broiler (meat-type) and layer strains, which have different absolute food requirements but similar relative (per kg body weight) requirements, did not differ in their feeding responses to injections of 1, 8 and 16 micrograms/kg CCK-8. Food intake of fowls fed on a diet diluted with 40% powdered cellulose was suppressed less by the same three doses of CCK-8 than that of birds fed on undiluted food. This may have been because birds with the more bulky diluted food had to spend a greater proportion of time feeding. Broiler chicks aged 2 and 6 weeks, which may have different blood-brain resistance to circulating CCK and which have different relative food requirements, did not differ in their feeding responses to injections of 2 and 8 micrograms/kg CCK-8. These results do not satisfy one of the criteria proposed for demonstrating the action of a satiety agent, that feeding should be suppressed in a consistent manner regardless of motivational state. An alternative explanation for the apparent satiating properties of CCK-8 is suggested, based on similarities in their time-course, and dependence on deprivation level, to abnormal gastrointestinal responses with similar doses of the peptide.

Aging↗

Effects of long term feeding of raw soya bean flour on virus-induced pancreatic carcinogenesis in guinea fowl.

The effects of a diet enriched with 25% raw soya bean flour (RSF) on the pancreas and on the avian retrovirus Pts 56-induced pancreatic carcinogenesis in guinea fowl were studied. It has been shown that prolonged RSF feeding of new-hatched virus-infected and uninfected guinea fowl-poults induced enlargement of the pancreas, which was less pronounced when administration of the RSF supplemented diet started at the age of 75 days. Time-dependent multifocal inter- and intralobular hyperplasia of pleomorphic ducts lined by mucin-producing epithelium in the exocrine pancreas of virus-infected guinea fowls fed a RSF supplemented diet was regularly observed. Enlargement of virus-induced ductular neoplasms has been shown only after simultaneous RSF and virus administration.

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of cholyl-CoA: taurine N-acetyltransferase from the liver of domestic fowl (Gallus gallus).

The enzymological basis for the ability of mammalian liver to conjugate bile acids with both glycine and taurine, and for non-mammalian liver to make only taurine conjugates, was investigated. The taurine-conjugating enzyme has been purified 1200-fold from the liver of domestic fowl and its properties compared with those of the glycine/taurine-conjugating enzyme from bovine liver [Czuba & Vessey (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 5296-5299]. The enzyme from both species followed a Ping Pong mechanism. The enzymes were also similar with respect to their affinity for taurine, although the enzyme from domestic fowl would not bind glycine. The affinity of both for cholyl-CoA was quite similar, too, and both enzymes were inhibited reversibly by p-mercuribenzoate. The enzymes, however, were quite different in size. The enzyme from domestic fowl had a mol.wt. of 63000-65000 by both gel filtration and sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. This is approx. 15 000 mol.wt. units larger than the enzyme from bovine liver, and suggests a loss of genome over the course of evolution as the basis for the altered specificity at the amino-acid binding site.

Acyl Coenzyme A↗

Distribution of N-acetylneuraminic acid and sialylglycan in eggs of the Silky fowl.

1. The distribution of sialic acid in the eggs of original Silky fowl was investigated. The sialic acid contents of the yolk, albumen and the chalaza of a single egg were 205.2, 11.96 and 0.83 mg, respectively. 2. The sialic acid content of the yolk of Silky eggs was 11.5-fold higher than that of a conventional domestic fowl yolk. 3. Sialic acid isolated from Silky yolk was entirely N-acetylneuraminic acid (NeuAc). No N-glycolylneuraminic acid or O-acetyl containing sialic acid was observed. 4. The structure of the major sialylglycan in Silky egg yolk was determined to be a disialyl-biantennary chain in which the NeuAc residues were alpha2-6 linked to glucose. No alpha2-3 linkage was observed. 5. Thus, the Silky fowl's egg provides an excellent source of NeuAc and sialylglycan.

Animals↗

Use of RAPD-PCR for genetic analysis of Nicobari fowl of Andamans.

1. The present study was conducted to estimate genetic relatedness among Nicobari fowls (Brown, Black and White) and an exotic bird (White Leghorn) using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) polymorphism. 2. A total of 25 decamer primers were screened among all the breeds of which 24 primers amplified the genomic DNA, generating 2000 to 200 bp bands. Ten primers generated reproducible and distinct RAPD profiles and were used for further analysis. 3. A total of 94 bands were amplified and 30 polymorphic bands (32%) were produced. The number of polymorphic loci ranged from 1 to 5 with an average of 3.0. 4. Among the native breeds Brown Nicobari showed higher genetic similarity (0.85) than Black Nicobari (0.80) and White Nicobari fowl (0.82). 5. Brown Nicobari showed high genetic similarity with Black Nicobari (0.87 +/- 0.029); least similarity was between White Nicobari and White Leghorn (0.77 +/- 0.028). 6. The RAPD profile of all Nicobari fowls on amplification with the primers PBG5 and PBA12 showed specific bands of molecular size 1050 and 785 bp, respectively. 7. The native breeds showed the least genetic distance with each other while White Leghorn appeared to be most distant from the native breeds.

Animals↗

Studies of the energy and protein requirements of the growing guinea-fowl.

1. Guinea-fowl of both sexes and female chickens were fed from 1 to 12 weeks on diets the energy concentration of which was constant at either 2-6, 2-9 or 3-2 Mcal/kg (10-8, 12-1 or 13-4 MJ/kg) while the calorie to protein ratios were changed, for some groups, from 124 to 157 or 200 at 4 and 8 weeks. 2. Guinea-fowl, but not chickens, were unable to overconsume when the protein concentration was low with the result that the body fat content was not reduced when the protein concentration was increased. 3. In the second trial the ME level of the diets was fixed at 12-6 MJ/kg while the protein content was varied, from 21 to 28% in the diets fed to 6 weeks of age and from 15 to 24% in those fed from 6 to 12 weeks. 4. It is concluded that for the growing guinea-fowl the diet should contain 12-6 MJ ME/kg, the protein concentration reducing from 24 to 26% in the period 0 to 4 weeks to 19 to 20% in the period 4 to 8 weeks and to 16% or less in the period 8 to 12 weeks.

Animal Feed↗

Purification and some of the properties of alkaline phosphatase in guinea fowls (Numida meleagris galeata).

1. Alkaline phosphatase activity in the plasma of different strains of guinea fowls showed considerable variation both within and between sexes as well as within and between strains. 2. The enzymes from different strains of wild guinea fowls had different mobilities on disc polyacrylamide electrophoresis but each was characterised by a single band. 3. When the enzyme was purified 163-fold from the plasma of a domesticated grey breasted strain, both ion-exchange chromatography and gel-filtration purification steps yielded a single band of enzyme. 4. The purified enzyme had a molecular weight of 79,400 +/- 3,000 and was stable up to 60 degrees C at the optimum pH of 9.6. 5. Evidence is provided that guinea fowl alkaline phosphatase is a metalloenzyme.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Effect of acute heat exposure on triglyceride transfer to the preovulatory follicles of the laying fowl (Gallus domesticus).

1. The effect of acute heat exposure on triglyceride (TG) transfer to preovulatory follicles was studied in the laying fowl. 2. Heat exposure of laying fowl resulted in a 1.1 degree C rise in body temperature, a 10-fold increase in respiration frequency and mild hypocapnia and hypoxaemia. 3. Plasma and follicular tissue TG concentrations were not significantly affected by heat exposure, but plasma TG specific radioactivity decreased significantly and was negatively correlated with body temperature. 4. The transfer rate of TG to the preovulatory follicles was not affected significantly by hyperthermia. 5. We conclude that nutrient supply to the developing follicles is not compromised in acutely heat-exposed laying fowl.

Animals↗