Showing papers on "Coturnix published in 1979"

Micro-stereological study of the avian epididymal region.

Abstract: Morphometric studies of the epididymal region of three avian species (Gallus domesticus, Coturnix coturnix japonica, Japanese quail, and Numida meleagris, guinea-fowl) were performed using a stereological compensating eyepiece graticule. The proportions of the volume of the region made up of rete testis lacunae, proximal and distal efferent ductules, connecting ducts, ductus epididymidis, blood vessels and connective tissue were determined. The efferent ductules constituted the largest proportion of the tubular components of the organs in the three birds (35.3% for the chicken, 56% for the quail and 61.9% for the guinea-fowl), while the ductus epididymidis formed only 7.6%, 2.4% and 1.8% of the total epididymal volume in the domestic fowl, quail and guinea-fowl respectively. The connective tissue component made up 38.7%, 27.3% and 22.6% respectively. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to the likely functions of the various components of the epididymal region.

Feminization of the quail by early diethylstilbestrol treatment: histoenzymological investigations on steroid dehydrogenases in the gonads.

Abstract: Early treatment of Quail eggs by DES promotes a transient feminization of the gonads in genetic males and a strong stimulation of the Mullerian ducts. The left ovotestis results from the juxtaposition of a testicular medulla and an induced female-type cortex, which develops follicles and a characteristic 17 beta-HSD activity. The right testis is reduced but keeps a consistent structure. The medulla of the treated gonads shows, in both sexes, an inhibition of delta 5-3 beta HSD activity during embryonic development. After hatching, this specific enzyme then develops in the steroidogenic cells. These results are compared with others obtained with estradiol and also in chick. The discussion deals also with the effects of these estrogens on the endogenous abilities and specific responses of the gonads in relation to sex differentiation factors.

Genetic resistance to aflatoxin in Japanese quail.

Abstract: Progress was rapid in attempts to develop lines of quail resistant to acute aflatoxicosis induced by oral dosing with aflatoxin. After five generations of selection, 8- and 11-fold differences were present in mortality between two selected lines and their respective control lines. These quail lines should be of value in investigating the physiological basis of resistance to aflatoxin.

Pharmacokinetics of gentamicin in blood plasma of quail, pheasants, and cranes

Abstract: Rate of appearance, peak concentration, and the biological half-life of gentamicin in the plasma of quail (Coturnix coturnix), pheasants (Phasianus colchicus), and cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) were studied. Gentamicin was given IM in doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg of body weight. Peak plasma concentrations occurred earliest in the quail, latest in the cranes. The peak concentrations varied directly with the administered doses in all species. The biological half-life of gentamicin was 42 +/- 12 minutes in the quail, 75 +/- 15 minutes in the pheasants, and 165 +/- 37 minutes in the cranes. On the basis of the present data, dosage regimens for gentaminic of 5 mg/kg every 8 hours in pheasants and cranes, and 10 mg/kg every 6 hours in quail, would be expected to give constant plasma concentrations greater than 4.0 micrograms/ml.

Cholesteremia in Japanese quail: response to a mixture of vitamins C and E and choline chloride.

Abstract: Five-week old, male, Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were given ad libitum access to glucose- soybean meal-10% fat diets containing 0, 0.25, 0.5, or 1% cholesterol, with or without the addition of a vitamin supplement (vitamin C--1 g/kg of diet, vitamin E--30 I.U./kg of diet and choline chloride--5.5 g/kg of diet). After 12 weeks, 9 quail from the 24 quail fed each diet were killed and the total cholesterol concentration of serum, liver, kidney, and aorta was determined. Cholesterol concentrations of these organs increased with increasing levels of dietary cholesterol. The vitamin supplementation enhanced the increase in the cholesterol concentration of serum and kidney, lessened the elevation of the liver cholesterol concentration and had no effect on the aorta cholesterol concentration. The remaining quail were fed the same diets, for a subsequent 12 week period, except that cholesterol was deleted. At the termination of the experiment, the total cholesterol concentration of serum, liver, and kidney returned to control level for all treatments in which organ cholesterol concentrations had been increased previously. Aortic cholesterol concentration decreased during the second 12 week period (0.5 and 1% cholesterol diets fed for the first 12 weeks), however, the aortic cholesterol concentration remained higher than those of the control at 24 weeks. No significant effect of vitamin supplementation on organ cholesterol concentration was noted at 24 weeks although serum cholesterol concentration was significantly lower for the vitamin- fed groups at all levels of dietary cholesterol. Aortic ahteromata were observed at both 12 and 24 weeks in all groups fed 0.5 and 1% cholesterol.

The metabolism of cholecalciferol in the liver of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) with particular reference to the effects of oestrogen.

Abstract: 1. Studies were carried out in vitro with the livers of Japanese quail that had been fed from hatching on diets supplying their full requirements for vitamin D. 2. 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol was the major metabolite when liver homogenates of egg-laying female and oestrogen-treated quail of both sexes were incubated with [3H]cholecalciferol. 3. Very little 25-hydroxycholecalciferol was generated from liver homogenates of adult male and immature quail. Instead the cholecalciferol was converted into one or more compounds less polar than 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and into a number of highly polar metabolites, some of which were water-soluble. 4. Oestrogen not only stimulated the 25-hydroxylation of cholecalciferol but also protected both cholecalciferol and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol from degradation by the enzymic pathways active in immature and male birds. 5. These actions of oestrogen may be of physiological significance in relation to the high requirements of laying birds for 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol to support the intense metabolism of calcium associated with egg-shell calcification.

Effects of light and of testosterone derivatives or antiandrogens on the secretory content of the subcommissural organ of the quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica.

Abstract: Photosensitivity of the quail subcommissural organ (SCO) is demonstrated. When the birds are submitted to continuous light the SCO cells appear depleted in secretory material and the enzyme activities investigated are of greater intensity. Such a diminished secretory content is observed in birds exposed to short daylength when they are injected with testosterone derivatives. Besides, injections of antiandrogenic compounds in continuously illuminated quails abolish the decrease of the secretory material induced by photostimulation. These results indicate that the SCO responsiveness to light appears to be mediated by some hormonal mechanism. Moreover it is more than a generalized metabolic effect: the response to antiandrogen injections suggests indeed that the SCO is a likely target organ for hormonal action.

Properties of rabies virus (MNIIVP-74 strain) adapted to Japanese quail embryo cell culture.

Abstract: The Pasteur strain of fixed rabies virus was adapted to primary cell cultures of Japanese quail embryos and designated as MNIIVP-74. In the course of adaptation the virus pathogenicity for rabbits by the intracerebral route decreased considerably and the pathogenicity for rabbits and adult white mice by extraneural routes was completely lost. After inoculation of Japanese quail embryo cell cultures, a titer of the virus in the culture fluid at 4 days was 6.25--7.0 lg LD50/ml (by the intracerebral inoculation of adult white mice). Viral antigen could be detected by immunofluorescence in the cytoplasm of approximately 60 per cent of the cells. Virus multiplication was accompanied by intensive interferon production. In cultures of BHK-21/13S cells the titer of the virus reached was 5.75 lg LD50/ml at 24 hours and about 30 per cent of the cells were affected. The MNIIVP-74 virus showed a high immunogenic activity in rabbits, guinea pigs and mice.