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At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Histoenzymological studies on the distribution of certain phosphatases in the retinae of owlet (Athene brama) and house sparrow (Passer domesticus).

A comparative study on the distribution of alkaline phosphatase (AlP), acid phosphatase (AcP) and 5'-nucleotidase (5-N) amongst the different constituents of retinae of owlet and house sparrow revealed some interesting aspects of the localization of such phosphatases in both the cases. The outer segment of photoreceptors, where light strikes first, are positive for all the phosphatases. Further, areas composed of synapses, reveal activity of the three enzymes. Another interesting aspect is related to the total absence of the activity of AlP and 5-N in the ganglion cells of both the animals. Other sites of phosphatases in various layers have been also identified. The possible metabolic roles of various phosphatases at different sites have been discussed.

5'-Nucleotidase↗
PubMed1988

Circadian periodicity in yellow-throated sparrow as demonstrated by intermittent light experiments.

Groups of adult photosensitive male yellow-throated sparrows were subjected to different intermittent light cycles viz. 2L/2D, 3L/3D, 4L/4D, 8L/8D and 12L/12D besides two control groups held on 8L/16D and 18L/6D photoperiodic treatments. Testicular growth occurred in 2L/2D, 3L/3D, 4L/4D and 18L/6D but not in 8L/16D, 12L/12D and 8L/16D photoperiodic regimes. The results of this experiment can be interpreted on the basis of circadian rhythm in photosensitivity in an avian external coincidence model. Our findings suggest that multiple light flashes are more effective than a single broad pulse of light of equal duration.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Ultrastructure of the angularis oris salivary gland in the house sparrow.

The angularis oris gland, an avian salivary gland that lies beneath the zygomatic arch, was studied in the house sparrow by means of light and electron microscopy. The gland consists of lobules composed of epithelial tubules and folds on a delicate connective tissue framework. The lobules are drained by large channels to form an intraglandular duct, which becomes the main extraglandular duct. The tubules, folds, and all ducts are covered by pseudostratified epithelium that shows progressive changes from the blind ends of tubules to the duct system. At the closed end of the tubules, the tall cells contain an aggregation of closely packed mucous droplets; their mitochondria are long and slender. As the epithelium nears the duct system, the mucus content of the tall cells is reduced and the mitochondria, which are increased in number, are ovoid. The lateral borders of the cells are complexly interlocked. In the ducts, mitochondria-rich cells with extensive lateral interfoliation comprise the major cell type; some of these cells contain a few mucous droplets at their apices. The basal cells of the pseudostratified epithelium have the same basic structure regardless of their location. These pyramidal cells have abundant cytofilaments and are joined to the basal lamina by many hemidesmosomes. Despite the absence of clear-cut morphological zonation, the angularis oris may function in a manner that is analogous to mammalian salivary glands: secretory cells produce the organic component of the saliva, mucus, while the mitochondria-rich cells with their extensive lateral membranes probably resorb electrolytes to render the final saliva hypotonic.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

[Ultrastructure of chronic reticuloendothelial forms of Isospora of sparrows].

Mononucleated reticulo-endothelial stages of Isospora from Sparrows were studied by T. E. M. during the winter period when the extra intestinal infection is chronic. Results show a very slow evolution from merozoite to trophozoite stage, a transformation of the parasite nucleus and a characteristic reaction of the host cell. These observations are discussed in relation to what is known of hypnozoite and chronic schizogony of Plasmodium.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Factors influencing song development in the white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys).

Nestling white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli) were hand-reared in sound-isolation chambers under a variety of conditions. The songs of total isolates were compared with songs of birds tutored with song, and the number of inputs sufficient for a bird to produce a normal song was explored. The flexibility of the song learning system was investigated with a range of tape-recorded tutor songs: alien dialects, alien subspecies, alien species, alternating alien dialects, and an aberrant song. Adult songs were obtained for 40 males and 7 testosterone-injected females. All of the tutor songs could be learned. Also, some birds learned elements of an alien species' song. Birds tutored with two songs copied one or the other, were bilingual, or sang a hybrid of the two. No bird presented with fewer than 120 songs learned the tutor song; 2 birds tutored with 252 songs copied the tutor song. It is concluded that the song learning system is quite flexible, hat the results obtained with tape-tutors are very different from those with social tutors, and that there may be an interaction between total number of song inputs and the number presented on a single day. Some implications of these data for physiological mechanisms and the possible functional significance of the acquisition system are discussed.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1985

[Hemoglobin of tree sparrows (Passer montanus, Passeriformes): Sequence of the major (Hb A) and minor (Hb D) components].

Blood of the adult Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) contains two hemoglobin components, Hb A (ca. 85%), Hb D (ca. 15%). They differ in their alpha-chains (alpha A, alpha D), the beta-chains are identical. The complete primary structures of alpha A-, alpha D- and beta-chains are presented. Comparison with the Greylag Goose (Anser anser) hemoglobin (Hb A) showed that the alpha A-chains differ by 22 amino-acid exchanges, the beta-chains by 16. Comparison with the minor component of the Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus colchicus) hemoglobin (Hb D) showed that the alpha D-chains differ by 34 amino-acid exchanges. Proline is found incorporated in an internal position of an alpha-helix (pos. 124, H7). In comparison to that of the Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) the ratio of amino-acid exchanges for beta: alpha A: alpha D chains is 1 : 7 : 4; in comparison to other birds this ratio is found to be 1 : 2 (1.4-2.2):3 (2.2-4).

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1983

Acoustic parameters underlying the responses of song-specific neurons in the white-crowned sparrow.

Songbirds such as the white-crowned sparrow memorize the song of conspecific adults during a critical period early in life and later in life develop song by utilizing auditory feedback. Neurons in one of the telencephalic nuclei controlling song have recently been shown to respond to acoustic stimuli. I investigated the auditory response properties of units in this nucleus using a technique that permitted great flexibility in manipulating complex stimuli such as song. A few of the units exhibited considerable selectivity for the individual's own song. In wild-caught birds, song-specific units exhibited intradialect selectivity. In those birds that sang abnormal songs due to laboratory manipulation of song exposure during the critical period for song learning, units were selective for the abnormal songs. By systematic modification of a song, and by construction of complex synthetic sounds mimicking song, the acoustic parameters responsible for the response selectivity were identified. Song-specific units responded to sequences of two song parts but not to the parts in isolation. Modification of the frequencies of either part of the sequence, or increasing the interval between the parts, varied the strength of the response. Thus, temporal as well as spectral parameters were important for the response. When sequences of synthetic sounds mimicking song were effective in evoking an excitatory response, the response was sensitive to the aforementioned manipulations. Wih these techniques it was possible to elucidate the acoustic parameters required to excite song-specific units. All songs of the repertoire eliciting a strong excitatory response contained the appropriate parameters, which were missing from all weakly effective, ineffective, or inhibitory songs.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1995

Changes in the diameter of Isospora lacazei (Labbé, 1893) oocysts in the house sparrow, Passer domesticus (L.).

Differences in the diameter of Isospora lacazei oocysts were found to be dependent on diet and other factors. House sparrows which were given animal products as food (hard boiled eggs) excreted with their faeces coccidia oocysts, which were larger than when they were fed grain. The results indicate a need to verify the divisions of the systematics of Isospora lacazei.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Effect of cold on catecholamine concentration in the great pectoral muscle of sparrows].

Birds (Passer montanus, P. domesticus, Fringilla coelebs) kept in open-air cages in Leningrad during winter, do not differ in total catecholamine content from avian species (P. domesticus, Serinus canaria) which were kept under laboratory conditions at 15--20 degrees. In the sparrow P. montanus, no significaut seasonal changes were observed in catecholamine content; however repetitive cooling up to--10 degrees only at night increased twice the content of catecholamines (especially, noradrenalin) in the pectoral muscle.

Animals↗