Showing papers on "Coturnix published in 1977"

Analysis of precursors to the envelope glycoproteins of avian RNA tumor viruses in chicken and quail cells.

Abstract: Immune precipitation with monospecific antiserum was employed to study the intracellular synthesis of viral glycoproteins gp85 and gp37. Labeled gp85 and gp37 were detected from lysates of cells transformed with Rous sacroma virus, strain B77, after long-term labeling with radioactive glucosamine or phenylalanine. Immune precipitates prepared from lysates of cells pulse-labeled for a short time resulted in a glycoprotein of 92,000 molecular weight (gp92). This precursor was stable in B77-transformed Japanese quail cells for several hours, whereas in chicken cells it could be chased within a few hours into virion glycoproteins gp85 and gp37. Similarly, the precursor for the structural viral proteins, pr76, persisted in quail cells much longer than in chicken cells. During very short pulses or in the presence of a glucosamine block (25 mM glucosamine), the antiserum against the viral envelope glycoproteins detected a precursor of higher electrophoretic mobility of approximately 70,000 molecular weight, "p70." Fucose label entered gp92 and gp85 as well as "p70." Proteolytic treatment of virion-bound gp85 in vitro generated two discrete glycoproteins of 62,000 and 45,000 molecular weight, but did not result in an increase in the amount of gp37.

Function and Histology of Testes From Aged Coturnix Maintained on Different Photoperiods

Abstract: The prolonged effects of short, medium, and long photoperiods on longevity, cloacal gland size and function, and the testicular morphology of the aged coturnix were studied In all testes, the effects of aging were characterized histologically by decreased tubular sperm concentration, increased abnormal sperm and cellular debris, as well as dislodgement of maturing sperm from Sertoli cells However, testicular abnormality in the long photoperiod quail was more pronounced than in the short photoperiod quail whose testes were judged to be morpholoigcally in better condition, thus indicating an aging-photoperiod relationship Aging had little or no effect on the cloacal gland function, although its size similar to the testicular histology, was affected by different photoperiods Cloacal gland size and function can indicate sexual potency, but not necessarily the reproductive capabilities of aged coturnix Also, an increased incidence of cataract formation was recorded in aged coturnix, unrelated to photoperiods

Heart rate response to light in the embryo of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix)

Abstract: The effects of exposure to light were investigated during and shortly after the period of light stimulation. A particular objective was to evaluate any responses to the type of illumination conditions generally used for observation of avian embryos. Twenty 16-day Japanese quail embryos were illuminated for 15 minutes each during a total recording period of 55 minutes. Heart rate, respiration rate and an approximate measure of activity were recorded. Mean heart rate was found to be higher during stimulation than before and did not return to the prestimulation level during the recording period after stimulation ceased. The lack of an immediate heart rate response to the onset of stimulation separates the effects of light from those of touch, rotation, odours, tastes and maternal calls. The possibility that light may act to stimulate accelerated development is discussed.

Suppression of pineal multiunit response to flash after habenular lesion in quail

Abstract: Habenular nuclei were completely destroyed in male photostimulated and nonphotostimulated quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Lesion of the nuclei habenulae led to a markedly increased pineal multiunit activity (MUA) pattern in both long and short daily photoperiods compared to control values. Intact, as well as habenular lesioned birds, showed a lower level of pineal MUA under long-day rearing than under short-day rearing. The decrease in pineal firing rates found in controls under repetitive flash-light stimulations was suppressed in quail bearing habenular lesions. Data are compared to results obtained in sympathectomized and blinded birds. It is suggested that some acute photic information might reach the pineal organ through retinal receptors and habenular pathways. However chronic influence of lighting on pineal MUA, mediated by the retina, does not seem to involve habenular or cervical sympathetic pathways in quail.

Movements of Stubble Quail, Coturnix Pectoralis, From South Australian Grainfields.

Abstract: Stubble quail (Coturnix pectoralis) were ringed in the grain-growing districts north of Adelaide. Findings were consistent with the hypothesis that stubble quail are not migratory but nomadic, moving according to available food. In time of stress they disperse in all directions; stress was increased by competition for food with house mice (Mus musculus). The plague of mice in 1969 and 1970 was attributed to high rainfall in 1968.

Use of Male Coturnix Quail in the Laboratory Development of Avian Chemosterilants

Abstract: Egg fertility of coturnix quail (Coturnix coturnix) was measured for 35 to 45 days following single oral doses of six candidate chemosterilants to adult breeding males, adult males whose testes has been regressed by photoperiod manipulation, twelve-day-old male chicks, and six-week-old males with undeveloped testes. Azacosterol, 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol, and mestranol were essentially inactive at 100 or 316 mg/kg in all treatment groups. Breeding adults were sterile for 10 to 25 days after doses of 31.6 mg/kg busulfan, 31.6 mg/kg triethylenemelamine, or 316 mg/kg isopropyl methane sulfonate-all alkylating agents. Adults with regressed testes showed reduced fertility or sterility after treatment with busulfan and triethylenemelamine. These tests indicate that the evaluation of male chemosterilants intended for use on wild avian populations during the period of testicular regression should consist of initial tests on breeding adult quail, followed by tests on adult quail with regressed testes if sterility is noted.

Effects of bilateral lesions of the nuclei habenulae on plasma thyroxine levels in Japanese quail.

Abstract: Electrolytic bilateral lesions of th nuclei habenulae were made in male, adult photostimulated quail. Habenular destruction led to a marked decrease in the plasma thyroxine level (40%), whereas sham operated birds did not differ from controls. This result appears to be somewhat different from those obtained in mammals and the mechanisms of habenular-thyroid interrelationships are unknown.

Effect of Dietary DL-Ethionine and/or DL-Methionine on Egg Laying and Activities of Some Cytoplasmic NAD Linked-Dehydrogenases and NADPH-Producing Enzymes in Liver of Japanese Quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica

Abstract: The effect of dietary DL-ethionine and/or DL-methionine on egg laying, and activities of some NAD linked-dehydrogenases and NADPH-producing enzymes in liver of Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica was investigated. A 0.30% DL-ethionine plus 0.30% DL-methionine supplemented diet reversed partially the egg laying inhibited by the diet with 0.30% DL-ethionine alone. No inhibitory effect on egg laying was observed for the diet supplemented with 0.30% DL-methionine alone. In marked contrast to the decreased activity of L-glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase, significantly increased activity of lactate dehydrogenase was obtained for quail fed the DL-ethionine, and the DL-ethionine plus the DL-methionine supplemented diet, respectively. No marked changes in activities of these three dehydrogenases were obtained for quail fed the diet supplemented with DL-methionine alone. Although decreased activity was observed for all of the four NADPH-producing enzymes in quail fed the diet supplemented with DL-ethionine alone, the DL-ethionine plus DL-methionine, the smallest decrease was obtained for NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase. The diet supplemented with DL-methionine alone induced markedly the respective activity of malic enzyme and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase. These results indicate a relatively important function of NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase for NADPH-production even under DL-ethionine toxicity and suggest complicated relationships between egg production and activities of enzymes associated with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in quail liver.

Effect of dietary DL-ethionine on egg laying and activities of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial L-glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenases in liver and kidney of Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica.

Abstract: The effect of dietary DL-ethionine on egg laying and activities of succinate dehydrogenases, cytoplasmic and mitochondrial L-glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenases, in liver and kidney of Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica was investigated. When quail at full laying were fed a diet supplemented with DL-ethionine at 0.05%, 0.10%, 0.15% and 0.30% (w/w), respectively, apparent DL-ethionine concentration dependent inhibitions of egg laying rate, weights of ovary and oviduct, and egg weight were observed. At the 0.30% level, activity per g tissue of cytoplasmic L-glygerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase from liver and kidney decreased to about one-half of the initial activity. A significant difference in the activity of mitochondrial L-glycerol 3-phosphate and succinate dehydrogenase from liver and kidney was obtained between the control and the DL-ethionine fed quail, respectively. These results indicated that dietary DL-ethionine inhibits egg laying and activities of L-glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenases and succinate dehydrogenase of both liver and kidney of Japanese quail.