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PubMed2006

Co-circulation of distinct genetic lineages of astroviruses in turkeys and guinea fowl.

Viruses belonging to the genus Astrovirus have been increasingly associated with enteritis in mammalian and avian species, including turkeys. More recently, astroviruses have also been detected in diseased guinea fowl. In turkeys, two genetically distinct types of astrovirus have been reported, namely turkey astrovirus 1 and 2 (TAstV1 and TAstV2). The prevalence and the pathogenesis of astrovirus infections in this species is currently unknown, with the exception of data generated in the USA. In the present report, we have demonstrated the co-circulation of distinct genetic lineages of astroviruses infecting turkeys and guinea fowl. The predominant lineage infecting turkeys is genetically related to the American TAstV2, but genetic variability within this lineage was demonstrated. Other isolates appeared to be either TastV1-related or unrelated to any other known isolate. Astroviruses infecting guinea fowl were more closely related to TAstV2, and interspecies transmissions between turkeys and guinea fowl is suggested as a possible mechanism by which these viruses may have evolved, based on the genetic data available. This investigation provides genetic and epidemiological information contributing to a better understanding of enteric viral infections in turkeys and guinea fowl.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Pigment patterns in neural crest chimeras constructed from quail and guinea fowl embryos.

The pattern of pigmentation in bird embryos is determined by the spatial organization of melanocyte differentiation. Some of the results from recent, neural crest transplantation experiments support a model based on a prepattern in the feathers; others could be interpreted in terms of a nonspecific pattern resulting from a failure of the crest cells to read the positional values in another species. To distinguish between these possibilities, the crucial test is to construct chimeras from two species with different pigment patterns. We have examined the wing plumage of quail and guinea fowl embryos. The quail has a characteristic pattern of pigmented and unpigmented feather papillae, whereas the guinea fowl shows uniform pigmentation. Chimeras were constructed by grafting wing buds isotopically between embryos. The wing buds were transplanted before they had become invaded by neural crest cells. Quail wing buds grafted to the guinea fowl developed, in most cases, a pigment pattern resembling that of the quail and not that of the guinea fowl. A few cases became uniformly pigmented and appeared to represent nonspecific patterns. The reciprocal grafts (guinea fowl wing buds grafted to the quail) became pigmented all over. We found evidence that the timing of melanocyte differentiation is controlled by cues in the feather papillae. Some cases developed a severe inflammatory response. The model which best accounts for these findings--and which can account for inconsistencies in previous reports--is the following. A prepattern is present in the feathers and this can control the differentiation of melanoblasts, even if they come from a different species. The local cues which constitute the prepattern are not positional values. In some chimeras melanoblasts fail to respond to the prepattern and so a nonspecific pattern of uniform pigmentation is produced.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

A comparative study of stimulus-specific pupil responses in the domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus) and the human.

Pupil responses triggered by specific stimulus attributes such as spatial structure, colour and light flux changes were measured in eight domestic fowl. Comparative experiments were also carried out in human subjects. The results were unexpected in that large increments in light flux caused only small constrictions of the pupil. A red stimulus, on the other hand, caused a relatively large pupil response, but a green stimulus was less effective. This finding suggests that the size of the pupil, apart from being controlled by well-described pretectal pathways that mediate luminance responses, is also subject to other inputs. The pupil response in the domestic fowl may therefore make an effective quantitative indicator of things of significance to the animal. In some ways these observations are similar to other findings in primates in that the processing of stimulus attributes such as colour and structure that are not normally associated with the light reflex pathway can cause a pupil response. The fowl pupil does however respond very fast when large light flux changes or red stimuli are involved. Results obtained with sinusoidally modulated light flux changes reveal a short response latency of 105 ms (SD=8.3). In contrast, human responses measured for similar stimulus conditions reveal a latency of 434 ms (SD=36). The speed of pupil response in the fowl is significantly higher than in humans, but the response amplitude is usually small. Another interesting observation is the lack of sustained response to changes in ambient illumination. These findings suggest that the input to the pupilloconstrictor neurones in the fowl consists largely of transient neurones with little sustained component.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Three enzymes newly identified from the genus Eimeria and two more newly identified from E. maxima, leading to the discovery of some aliphatic acids with activity against coccidia of the domesticated fowl.

Nine enzymes were detected in sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella and E. maxima, parasites of the domesticated fowl (Gallus gallus). Three enzymes, hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltransferase, all identified for the first time in Eimeria of fowl, occurred both in E. tenella and in E. maxima. The remaining enzymes assayed had previously been found in various Eimeria species of fowl, although creatine kinase and glutamate dehydrogenase were hitherto unknown from E. maxima. The three enzymes newly recorded from Eimeria of fowl are of interest as potential genetic markers, and also as potential chemotherapeutic targets. The discovery of hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase led to the demonstration of anticoccidial activity by some aliphatic acids. The paper also includes a list of the enzymes detected in Eimeria of fowl in previous studies.

5'-Nucleotidase↗
PubMed2004

Distribution and depletion of flubendazole and its metabolites in edible tissues of guinea fowl.

1. We measured the distribution and depletion of residues of flubendazole and its major metabolites in breast muscle, thigh muscle and liver of guinea fowls during and after oral administration of the veterinary medicine Flubenol 5% at two doses. 2. The guinea fowls were treated orally with normal feed, medicated at doses of 56 and 86 mg per kg feed for 7 successive days. Afterwards, depletion was observed for 8 d. Just before slaughter, body weights were measured. Thigh muscle, breast muscle and liver of three female and three male birds were sampled. The concentrations of the flubendazole-derived residues were determined by a liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric method. 3. The highest residue concentrations were obtained for the reduced metabolite. With the therapeutic dose, the maximum mean residue concentrations obtained for this compound in thigh muscle, breast muscle and liver were 312, 288 and 1043 microg/kg, respectively. The values for flubendazole, the parent molecule, were 114, 108 and 108 microg/kg, respectively. The residues of the hydrolysed metabolite were negligible in the sampled muscle tissues. After 24 h of depletion, the sum of the residues of parent and metabolites in muscle tissue still exceeded 50 microg/kg. After 8 d of depletion, flubendazole-derived residues at low concentrations could still be measured in both muscle tissues and liver. Generally, the disposition of residues in breast and thigh muscle was comparable. 4. The European Union has not established a maximum residue limit (MRL) for flubendazole in edible tissues of guinea fowl. In contrast, the existing MRLs for other bird species are expressed as the sum of parent flubendazole and its hydrolysed metabolites. An estimated withdrawal period of three days will assure residue safety in the edible tissues of guinea fowl treated with flubendazole at therapeutic dose. After this withdrawal period following treatment of the guinea fowl, the residues were approximately constant, very low and far below the established safe MRL level for other bird species.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2005

Effect of enzyme supplementation on the metabolisable energy content of solvent-extracted rapeseed and sunflower seed meals for chicken, guinea fowl and quail.

(1) The nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AME(N)) content of solvent-extracted rapeseed and sunflower seed (un-decorticated) meals in relation to species (chicken, guinea fowl and quail) and dietary addition of feed enzymes (0 or 0.5 g/kg diet) was evaluated by a diet replacement method in a 3 x 2 factorial design. (2) The metabolism trial was conducted at two substitution levels (200 and 400 g/kg diet) of each meal with or without supplementation of commercial enzyme preparation in 6 individuals or 6 groups of cockerels, guinea fowls and quails. (3) The experimental diets were fed for a period of 12 d followed by a 3-d collection period during which total feed consumed and droppings output were quantitatively recorded. (4) The AME(N) values of rapeseed meal for cockerels, guinea fowls and quails were 8.4, 8.7 and 8.8 MJ/kg, respectively, while the corresponding values for sunflower seed meal were 6.1, 6.1 and 6.2 MJ/kg dry matter, without enzyme supplementation. (5) The AME(N) value of rapeseed meal did not improve with enzyme supplementation. However, AME(N) values of sunflower seed meal significantly increased with enzyme supplementation, from 6.1 to 6.5 MJ/kg dry matter. (6) Since AME(N) values of rapeseed meal and sunflower seed meal were similar in chicken, guinea fowl and quail, values reported for chicken could, therefore, be used for guinea fowl and Japanese quail.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1997

Genetic studies on primary antibody response to sheep erythrocytes in guinea fowl.

1. The primary antibody response to sheep erythrocytes was determined by haemagglutination test in guinea fowl. The effects of various genetic and non-genetic factors on immune response to sheep RBCs in guinea fowl were also estimated. 2. The immune response to sheep RBCs was normally distributed in guinea fowl with mean titre at 1.534 +/- 0.014. 3. In guinea fowl, effects on titre values of sire and variety (feather colour) were significant whereas sex and sex x variety interaction effects were non-significant. 4. The estimate of heritability for immune response to sheep RBCs in guinea fowl was 0.35 +/- 0.17.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Involvement of spleen components of mature fowl in the primary and secondary humoral antibody response following experimental EDS'76 virus infection.

Cellular changes in spleens of mature fowl in relation to both the primary and secondary humoral antibody response following experimental EDS'76 virus infection were studied. The influence of splenectomy on humoral antibody response was also examined. Experimental fowl had been naturally infected with fowl adenovirus (FAV) but did not possess precipitins to these viruses at the time of EDS'76 virus infection. Since EDS'76 infection provokes a recall of the group antibody to FAV, this infection simultaneously induces a primary response against EDS'76 virus and a secondary response due to the recall of the group antibody to FAV. HI and precipitating antibody to EDS'76 virus (primary response) were first detected at 6 and 8 days p.i. respectively. Curves of HI, precipitating and neutralising antibody titres were biphasic; the first peak (IgM peak) occurred at 10-11 days p.i., the second (IgG peak) at 16-28 days p.i. Precipitating antibodies to FAV (secondary response) were demonstrated from 4 days p.i. The curve of these antibody titres was also biphasic, with peaks at the same times as in the primary response. Based on HI and AGP testing of primary and secondary immune response in both splenectomised and non-splenectomised fowl it is concluded that in the primary response the spleen of the adult fowl is involved significantly in only IgM secretion, while in the secondary response it is likely that both IgM and IgG are secreted in considerable amounts. Clusters of lymphoblasts and plasmablasts were observed at 3 days p.i. in the red pulp. It is very likely that antigen-antibody complexes are formed from that time and circulate bound to the surface of lymphocytes. These antigen-loaded lymphocytes are 'picked up' from the blood stream by -red pulp macrophages, leading to enhanced formation of lymphoblasts in the red pulp. Great numbers of these cells (which are very probably IgM secreting cells) were present on days 6 and 7 p.i., but were no longer detectable after day 10 p.i. -macrophages of the macrophagal ellipsoidal corona (MEC), leading to significant enlargement of the periellipsoidal lymphoid tissue (PELT) by an increase of the number of lymphocytes observed from days 4-12 p.i. The MEC was significantly enlarged from 7-12 days p.i., very likely due to an increased number of macrophages. Following deposition of antigen in the white pulp, formation of follicles begins. The number of small, intact follicles including follicle precursors increased from 6 days p.i.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adenoviridae Infections↗
PubMed2005

Nested polymerase chain reaction for detection of the avian leukosis virus causing so-called fowl glioma.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the avian leukosis virus causing so-called fowl glioma has been previously determined. Primers were designed for detection of the fowl glioma-causal virus (FGV) based on the 3' untranslated region of the viral genome. The provirus and viral RNA of FGV were specifically detected in various organs and tissues, including feather pulp, from experimentally infected birds using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription nested PCR. The prevalence of FGV was evaluated in 131 Japanese fowls of a zoological garden in Japan based on the detection of the FGV genome in feather pulp using PCR and the detection of viral antigen in faeces by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. FGV proviral DNA was detected in feather pulp of 52 birds (39.7%) by nested PCR. Later, nine dead birds from among the 52 were histologically diagnosed as having fowl glioma and found to have the proviral DNA in the affected brain. These results demonstrated that the PCR-based detection of FGV in feather pulp is useful for epidemiological studies on fowl glioma.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Flow-dependent pulmonary vasodilation during acute unilateral pulmonary artery occlusion in Jungle Fowl.

Giant Jungle Fowl previously were shown to be highly resistant to the onset of pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS, ascites) under conditions that induce a substantial incidence of PHS in broiler chickens. In the present study, lightly anesthetized, clinically healthy 12- to 13-wk-old male Giant Jungle Fowl maintained a lower respiratory rate, a similar hematocrit, and superior arterial blood gas values when compared with 6-wk-old male broilers. Giant Jungle Fowl weighed less than broilers (1,860 +/- 19 vs 2,788 +/- 63 g, respectively) and had equivalent absolute values for pulmonary arterial pressure, cardiac output, and pulmonary vascular resistance. Acute unilateral pulmonary artery occlusion in Giant Jungle Fowl doubled the pulmonary vascular resistance and forced the right ventricle to propel a sustained 60% increase in blood flow through the vasculature of the unoccluded lung. A transient increase in pulmonary arterial pressure initially was required to overcome the vascular resistance of the unoccluded lung; however, flow-dependent vasodilation gradually reduced the pulmonary vascular resistance and permitted pulmonary arterial pressure to return toward control levels. Unilateral pulmonary artery occlusion also triggered an immediate reduction in the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood, and the gradual return of pulmonary arterial pressure toward control levels did not eliminate this ventilation-perfusion mismatch, which has been attributed to blood flowing too rapidly through the unoccluded lung to permit diffusive gas equilibration. The inherent capacity for flow-dependent pulmonary vasodilation may reduce the susceptibility of Giant Jungle Fowl to PHS by reducing the increment in pulmonary arterial pressure required to propel an elevated blood flow through the lungs.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Expressed sequence tags for the chicken genome from a normalized, ten-day-old white leghorn whole embryo cDNA library. 2. Comparative DNA sequence analysis of guinea fowl, quail, and turkey genomes.

Accelerated efforts to develop a high-utility chicken genome map have resulted in the development of resources that may be useful for genetic analysis in other economically important poultry species. Here we describe a total of 26 comparative genomic DNA sequences (CGS) for the guinea fowl, Japanese quail, and domestic turkey developed using 10 primer pairs specific for 10 previously reported, unique, chicken expressed sequence tags (EST). The total length of CGS developed for each of the three species was 4,193, 4,597, and 6,057 bp in quail, turkey, and guinea fowl, respectively. About 70% of the CGS showed significant sequence similarity to reference database sequences, including the reference chicken EST and other avian and nonavian genes. A majority of the between-species comparisons of the CGS from all but two primer pairs were significant and ranged from 81 to 99%. The percentage similarity of the CGS appears to be a function of phylogenetic relatedness and was generally higher for comparisons between the chicken, quail, and turkey and lower between the guinea fowl and chicken, quail, or turkey. Maximum likelihood estimation of the phylogenetic relationships using CGS from two primer pairs also showed a closer relationship, as expected, among chicken, quail, and turkey than between guinea fowl and either chicken, quail, or turkey. Within the guinea fowl, quail, and turkey CGS developed, the total number of single nucleotide polymorphisms detected was 28, 17, and 14, respectively. Together, these resources represent tools that will facilitate genetic analysis of species that have been studied very little and our understanding of their genomes and genome evolution.

Animals↗
PubMed1972

Effects of catecholamines and adenosine derivatives given into the brain of fowls.

1. Adult fowls (Gallus domesticus) with cannulae chronically implanted into the IIIrd cerebral ventricle and various other sites of the brain received microinfusions or injections of catecholamines, adenosine, 3',5'-cyclic AMP or its dibutyryl derivative. The effects of these substances on behaviour, electrocortical activity and body temperature were studied.2. Behavioural and electrocortical sleep with fall in body temperature were obtained with intraventricular noradrenaline, alpha-methylnoradrenaline and isoprenaline; dopamine was ineffective. The doses required to elicit sleep were smaller than those affecting body temperature. Following mebanazine, the effects of noradrenaline were prolonged and doses of dopamine, previously ineffective, lowered body temperature and induced behavioural and electrocortical sleep.3. Noradrenaline, alpha-methylnoradrenaline, isoprenaline and dopamine infused into the hypothalamus induced sleep and lowered body temperature. Effective doses of noradrenaline, alpha-methylnoradrenaline and isoprenaline infused into the hypothalamus were one-twentieth to one-fifth those for intraventricular injection. Tachypnoea developed with isoprenaline and dopamine. Additionally with dopamine, there was deviation of the head to the contralateral side, together with repetitive jerking movements of the head. These effects were prolonged and intensified by mebanazine, whereas the involuntary movements with dopamine were greatly reduced by haloperidol.4. Involuntary movements, but without sleep, were induced by infusing dopamine into the paleostriatum augmentatum; noradrenaline infused into this site was ineffective.5. In three of five fowls pretreated with aminophylline, 3',5'-cyclic AMP infused into the hypothalamus induced behavioural and electrocortical sleep; without aminophylline pretreatment, 3',5'-cyclic AMP was ineffective. Adenosine infused into the hypothalamus, following pretreatment of fowls with aminophylline, consistently induced behavioural and electrocortical sleep. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP infused into the hypothalamus of intact fowls elicited behavioural arousal, followed by bursts of electrocortical spikes (6 Hz) over both cerebral hemispheres, spikes subsequently becoming regular at 1 Hz. Clonic limb and body movements occasionally accompanied the bursts of spike activity, infrequently developing into convulsions. In fowl encéphale isolé preparations, in which dibutyryl cyclic AMP was infused into the hypothalamus, spike activity was confined to the ipsilateral hemisphere.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1978

Metabolic rate: its circadian rhythmicity in the female domestic fowl.

1. In quasi-natural cyclic lighting, a circadian rhythm was observed in seven fowls; the range of oscillation of the rhythm was 50% of the mean metabolic level. Little variation was present between the individuals. 2. In fowls maintained for 15 days in isolation under 700 lx (ten fowls) or 0.07 lx (four fowls) constant lighting and at constant temperature free-running rhythms were evident; the range of oscillation was about 12% of the mean level. Large variation prevailed between the individuals in the range of oscillation and in the portion of variance accounted for by periodic regression. In dim light, rhythmicity declined to become non-significant by 8 days of exposure. 3. In four fowls maintained in a 6L/6D regimen for 12 days, metabolic rate was entrained to an ahemeral rhythm; there was no evidence of circadian influence on the metabolic response to light. Little variation was present between the individuals. Rhythmicity was maintained over the experimental period. 4. Metabolic levels were similar on 0.07 lx, 700 lx constant light, during the dark phase of the 6L/6D regimen and during night time in the quasi-natural cyclic lighting. They were also similar on the light phase of the 6L/6D regimen and the quasi-natural lighting.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Angiotensin II-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation of fowl aorta.

In the domestic fowl, angiotensin II (ANG II) decreases blood pressure in vivo and causes endothelium-dependent relaxation of aortic smooth muscles in vitro. To characterize ANG II-induced vasorelaxation, we compared endothelium-dependent vasodilatory effects of [Asp1,Val5]-ANG II (fowl ANG II) and acetylcholine (ACh) with the endothelium-independent vasorelaxing effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on isometric tension of fowl aortic rings. Hemoglobin (Hb), gossypol, and N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), inhibitors for endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) in mammalian blood vessels, partially inhibited vasorelaxation induced by ANG II and ACh in fowl. Hb also markedly attenuated SNP-induced vasorelaxation, but not 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-induced relaxation. 3,4,5-Trimethoxybenzoic acid 8-(diethylamino)octyl ester hydrochloride (TMB-8) or the removal of Ca2+ from the bathing medium attenuated the ACh-induced relaxation but did not significantly reduce vasorelaxation induced by ANG II or SNP. In the zero Ca2+ medium, aortic rings showed tachyphylaxis to ACh, while ANG II caused tachyphylaxis regardless of the presence or absence of external Ca2+. Furthermore, pretreatment of the ring with a high dose of ACh abolished the vasorelaxation response to ANG II, suggesting that ACh and ANG II may share a common Ca2+ pool. Calmidazolium, a calmodulin antagonist, abolished the vasorelaxation induced by ANG II and ACh but not that by SNP. Comparison of the vasodilatory effects of several ANG II analogues on fowl aortic rings showed an approximate potency order of [Asp1,Val5]-ANG II = [Asp1,Ile5]-ANG II > [Asn1,Ile5]-ANG II = [Sar1,Ile5]-ANG II > [Val5]-ANG III.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Microsatellite loci in Japanese quail and cross-species amplification in chicken and guinea fowl.

In line with the Gifu University's initiative to map the Japanese quail genome, a total of 100 Japanese quail microsatellite markers isolated in our laboratory were evaluated in a population of 20 unrelated quails randomly sampled from a colony of wild quail origin. Ninety-eight markers were polymorphic with an average of 3.7 alleles per locus and a mean heterozygosity of 0.423. To determine the utility of these markers for comparative genome mapping in Phasianidae, cross-species amplification of all the markers was tested with chicken and guinea fowl DNA. Amplification products similar in size to the orthologous loci in quail were observed in 42 loci in chicken and 20 loci in guinea fowl. Of the cross-reactive markers, 57.1% in chicken and 55.0% in guinea fowl were polymorphic when tested in 20 birds from their respective populations. Five of 15 markers that could cross-amplify Japanese quail, chicken, and guinea fowl DNA were polymorphic in all three species. Amplification of orthologous loci was confirmed by sequencing 10 loci each from chicken and guinea fowl and comparing with them the corresponding quail sequence. The microsatellite markers reported would serve as a useful resource base for genetic mapping in quail and comparative mapping in Phasianidae.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Actual characteristics of the glands distributed in the lamina propria mucosae of the fowl esophagus.

We performed histological and histochemical investigations on the glands distributed in the lamina propria mucosae of the fowl esophagus and demonstrated their actual characteristics. 1. Glandular cells of the compound tubular glands located in the lamina propria mucosae contained a number of fine pepsinogen granules. 2. Reactions to neutral, weak and strong acid mucopolysaccharides, neutral mucus type II and III and sialomucin were evidently positive in these cells. 3. Based on the facts in 1) and 2), we consider that the glands located in the fowl esophagus are undifferentiated gastric glands. 4. The same glands possessed no parietal cells. 5. We demonstrated that the esophageal cardiac glands in the lamina propria mucosae of human esophagus were undifferentiated gastric glands, and they possessed parietal cells. These glands were confirmed in humans alone among the mammalia. 6. The significance of the existence of the same kind of gland in human and fowl esophagus is extremely important. 7. PAS-positive substance in the above-mentioned glands in the fowl esophagus contains sulfuric, acid, neutral mucopolysaccaride and neutral mucus of type II and III but no glycogen. The compound tubular glands distributed in the lamina propria mucosae of the fowl esophagus have been described as mucous glands. We performed histochemical investigation and demonstrated that these glands were undifferentiated gastric glands.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Segregation of spermatozoa within sperm storage tubules of fowl and turkey hens.

In avian species, spermatozoa reside in the oviduct for prolonged periods in specialized structures known as sperm storage tubules, but little is known about the relative distribution of spermatozoa in these tubules after successive inseminations by different males. The staining efficacies of various fluorescent dyes for fowl and turkey spermatozoa were evaluated to investigate one proposed mechanism of sperm competition. Hens were then inseminated at different intervals with stained and unstained spermatozoa to observe the spatial distribution of spermatozoa within the storage tubules. Several novel fluorescent lipophilic tracers that successfully stain mammalian spermatozoa either did not stain fowl or turkey spermatozoa, or greatly impaired sperm motility. In contrast, Hoechst 33342 readily stained sperm nuclei (fowl: 25 nmol l-1; turkey: 77 nmol l-1) within 4 h without inhibiting sperm motility, or affecting fertility or the hatching ability of the eggs. Hens were tandemly inseminated with equal numbers of stained or unstained spermatozoa at 24 h intervals and were killed 24 h after the final insemination to study sperm entry and storage within the tubules. Oviductal mucosa containing sperm storage tubules was removed, and individual tubules were classified as containing stained spermatozoa, unstained spermatozoa, a mixture of stained and unstained spermatozoa, or as not containing spermatozoa. Results from the present study indicate that spermatozoa from two different inseminations generally segregate into different storage tubules in both fowl and turkey hens. Storage tubules containing mixed populations of spermatozoa were found in only 4% of fowl and 12% of turkey storage tubules examined. Thus, the mechanism of last-male precedence does not appear to be due to the stratification of spermatozoa within the tubules.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Germplasm characteristics and genetic diversity of Wenchang fowl].

Some germplasm characteristics and genetic diversity of Wenchang fowl produced in tropical/subtropical Hainan were tested, and compared with different ecological types of other chickness. The results showed that the feather colors of Wenchang hens are brown, yellow-brown and yellow-spotted, accounted for 80.83%, while the cocks are mainly red, with some mixed black on their back (71.96%). The crura color of Wenchang fowl was mainly yellow. Its growing velocity was slower, with smaller body weights, body length and crura length at 40 weeks of age, and being obviously of tropical/subtropical ecological characteristics than those of other ecological types. Wenchang fowl was precocious. The egg production rate of the hen at 127 d and 182 d was 5% and 50%, respectively, with an average egg weight of 37.6 +/- 3.2 g. The egg production of hen in 300 d was 73. By DNA-RAPD analysis, the average similarity index of individuals or populations was 0.6071-0.9699 for Wenchang fowl breeds. Thus, Wenchang fowl had a higher homology than other breeds, kept the breed to be pure.

Animals↗