The content of DNA, RNA and wet weight and the RNA:DNA and wet weight:DNA ratio in different tissues during the growth of chickens. 1. Analysis of the brain, the myocardium, the lungs and the liver]

At each 8 chickens of the race "white leghorn" analyses of the body weight as well of the wet weight and the concentration of DNA and of RNA in different tissues from the 2nd to the 203rd day after hatching were performed. On the 2nd day after hatching the DNA-concentration in the brain amounted to 1.50 +/- 0.12, in the heart-muscle to 2.86 +/- 0.19, in the lung to 7.23 +/- 0.19 and in the liver to 2.86 +/- 0.20 mg/g wet weight. The highest content of nuclei in the brain of 1.38 x 10(9) was estimated on the 56th, in the heart-muscle of 1.94 x 10(9) on the 168th day, in the lung of 16.86 x 10(9) on the 112th day and in the liver of 69.81 x 10(9) on the 203rd day. Further the RNA:DNA- and the wet weight:DNA-ratio of the different tissues was calculated.     

The content of fresh material, DNA and RNA in different tissues of turkeys during growth. 1. Analysis of the M. pectoralis superficialis, the M. quadriceps femoris, the cerebrum and cerebellum and the spinal cord]

First Communication: Analyses of M. pectoralis superficialis, M. quadriceps femoris, Cerebrum, Cerebellum, and Spinal Cord. The fresh matter level in the M. pectoralis superficialis of turkey was found to increase by a factor of 915, between the first and 224th days from hatching. DNA went up by a factor of 169. The protein: DNA quotient was increased 8.5 times. RNA concentrations in the same muscle went up from 2.65 +/- 0.06 to 6.02 +/- 0.30 mg/g of fresh matter, within the first and seventh days from hatching, and then dropped to 3.61 +/- 0.21 mg/g of fresh matter up to the 14th day, to 2.98 +/- 0.11 mg/g by the 28th day, and to 1.16 +/- 0.05 mg/g by the 224th day. The M. quadriceps femoris exhibited a 111-fold fresh matter increase, from the first through 224th days, while DNA went up by a factor of 44. The cerebrum exhibited a 3.9-fold increase of fresh matter and a 5.2-fold increase of DNA, between the first and 224th day. The cerebellum rises were 6.4-fold or 3.2-fold. Spinal cord values for the same period of time were 27.8-fold for fresh matter and 13.2-fold for DNA.     

The effect of a different level of crude protein in the feed of chickens from 1 to 14 days after hatching on the development of body weight, the biochemical parameters of the liver and breast muscle and the serum level of total protein and albumin

The effect of a concentration of crude protein of 170 or of 227 g/kg in the ration of chicken from the 1st to the 14th day after hatching on biochemical values of the liver, the M. pectoralis superficialis and the serum was analysed. The significance of developmental investigations in domestic animals under normal and pathological conditions is discussed.     

The content of fresh material, DNA and RNA in different tissues of turkeys during growth. 2. Analysis of the myocardium, the liver, the lungs, the kidney, the pancreas, the spleen and the duodenum]

The highest DNA concentration so far recorded from organs of turkey chicken one day after hatching was the lung value of 8.61 +/- 0.20 mg/g of fresh matter, while the lowest level amounted to 1.92 +/- 0.11 mg/g and was linked to the myocardium. DNA concentrations in the spleen went up from 5.93 +/- 0.26 mg/g on the first day to 13.04 +/- 0.93 mg/g on the 224th day. The highest total amount of DNA on the 224th day was 314.6 +/- 30.23 mg/g in the liver. A high RNA concentration on the first day from hatching was 8.74 +/- 0.14 mg/g in the liver and the lowest 2.51 +/- 0.12 mg/g in the myocardium. DNA levels for the whole period under review (first through 224th days) rose by the following factors: 246.3 in the spleen, 87.4 in the pancreas, 76.6 in the liver, 60 in the duodenum, 40.5 in the kidneys, 18 in the lung, and 31.3 in the myocardium. Functional implications relating to DNA, RNA, and protein variations are discussed in some detail.     

The behavior of the Q-fever agent, Coxiella burnetii, in birds. 3. Experimental infection of quail]

After simultaneous aerogenic and alimentary infection of quail by intra-nasal inoculation of a suspension of C. burnetii, the agent was reisolated 6 h after infection from lung and gut, from the 3rd day on from the spleen, at the 8th and 10th day from blood, and from the 8th day on from liver and kidney. C.burnetii was found in various organs up to 21 days after infection. In the majority of birds agglutinating antibodies could be demonstrated from the 18th day up to termination of the experiment 66 days after infection. On the basis of these results the course of a C. burnetii infection in birds is discussed.     

The effects of short-term nutritional stimulus before and after the luteolysis on metabolic status, reproductive hormones and ovarian activity in goats

The effect of short-term nutritional supplementation on hormonal and ovarian dynamics was studied in goats. Cycling Shiba goats were divided randomly into maintenance (group M, n=4) and high-energy (group H, n=4) groups. After the detection of the ovulation (Day 0, 1(st) ovulation), group H received a high-energy diet providing 2.5 times of the maintenance energy requirement for 7 days from Day 7 to Day 13 and were administered 2 mg of prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) on Day 10 to induce luteal regression followed by the follicular phase. Follicular and luteal dynamics were monitored using ultrasonography daily or every other day, and blood samples were collected daily from Day 0 to the third ovulation (3(rd) ovulation) following the second ovulation (2(nd) ovulation) induced by PGF(2alpha) administration. Blood samples were also collected at 10-min intervals for 6 h on Day 9 and Day 11 for analysis of pulsatile LH secretion. The mean concentrations of glucose and insulin were significantly (P<0.05) higher in group H than in group M on Days 8, 9, 12, 13 and Days 8, 9 and 10, respectively. For both the 2(nd) and 3(rd) ovulations, no significant difference was detected in ovulation rate between groups M and H. On the other hand, the interpeak interval for wave-like patterns of FSH in group H was significantly (P<0.05) shorter than in group M during the period between the 1(st) and 2(nd) ovulations (4.3 +/- 0.3 vs. 6.5 +/- 1.5 days). The mean LH pulse frequency in group H was significantly (P<0.05) greater than in group M on Day 11 (4.5 +/- 0.6 vs. 3.3 +/- 0.5 pulses/6 h). The present study clearly demonstrated that short-term (7 days) nutritional supplementation promoted pulsatile LH and wave-like FSH secretions in cycling goats. However, no significant increase in ovarian performance was found under such endocrine and metabolic conditions.     

Cytoplasmic estrogen and progesterone receptors in canine endometrium during the estrous cycle

Estradiol and progesterone receptors (ER, PR) were characterized and measured in cytosols from canine endometrium, using saturation and sucrose-gradient centrifugation radioassays. Both receptors were demonstrated to be steroid- and tissue-specific saturable proteins, which bound the respective steroids with high affinity (dissociation constant [Kd] approximately 10(-9)M). Serum estradiol, progesterone, and endometrial cytosol receptor concentrations and receptor-binding affinity were measured for 25 bitches from which samples were obtained at 5 stages of the estrous cycle (5 bitches each): anestrus (A), the 3rd day of proestrus (P3), the 3rd day of estrus (E3), the 12th day after onset of estrus (E12), and the 28th day after onset of estrus (E28). Mean (+/- SEM) serum estradiol concentrations were 17.0 +/- 2.2 (A), 55.4 +/- 5.0 (P3), 89.4 +/- 24.9 (E3), 41.0 +/- 5.9 (E12), and 50.6 +/- 3.9 (E28) pg/ml. Mean (+/- SEM) serum progesterone concentrations were 0.4 +/- 0.1 (A), 1.5 +/- 0.2 (P3), 17.3 +/- 7.5 (E3), 41.6 +/- 9.5 (E12), and 25.8 +/- 3.2 (E28) ng/ml. Concentrations of ER increased significantly from 1.06 pmol/g of uterus during stage A to a peak concentration of 6.18 pmol/g of uterus at E12, followed by a gradual decrease to 0.69 pmol/g of uterus by E28. The PR concentrations increased from 3.01 pmol/g of uterus in stage A to 17.32 pmol/g of uterus at P3; PR concentrations, thereafter, decreased gradually to 1.85 pmol/g of uterus by E28. Dissociation constants were significantly higher at E12 for the ER (Kd = 2.6645 X 10(-9)M) and at P3 for the PR (Kd = 5.8282 X 10(-9)M) than at the other stages examined, indicating a decrease in receptor affinity during the periods of high receptor concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Morphology of lacrimal gland in pig fetuses

The morphological and histological examinations of the lacrimal gland were conducted on pig fetuses coming from the 20th, 24th, 27th, 30th, 35th, 50th, 63rd, 94th and 112th day of gestation. The morphological examinations were carried out using the method of macroscopic preparation with a forehead magnifying glass and binocular (magnification 1.5-5.0x). In order to better visualize the anatomical elements, 60-80% absolute alcohol and 0.5-4% acetic acid solution were used for the examinations. On the 20th, 24th, 27th, and 30th day of gestation the whole fetuses were collected for the histological examinations. The whole eyeball with developing accessory organs was collected from the pig fetuses on the 35th day of gestation. On the 50th, 63rd, 94th and 112th day of gestation only the lacrimal gland was collected. Staining with H-E and Azan method was performed. On the 20th, 24th, 27th, 30th and 35th day of gestation ectodermal cells were not found in the collected material. On the 50th and 63rd day of gestation the connective tissue divides the gland parenchyma into indistinct lobes composed of gland cells. On the 94th day of gestation the number of lobes is substantially higher than on the 50th and 63rd day of gestation, while the number of lobules forming lobes decreases. On the 112th day of gestation each lobe is composed of 8-22 excretory ducts made up of the simple cuboid epithelium with a round nucleus arranged less or more peripherally.     

Morphology of the third eyelid and superficial gland of the third eyelid on pig fetuses

The morphological and histological examinations of the third eyelid and superficial gland of the third eyelid were conducted in pig fetuses coming from the 20th, 24th, 27th, 30th, 35th, 50th, 63rd, 94th and 112th day of gestation. The morphological examinations were carried out by applying the method of macroscopic preparation with a forehead magnifying glass and binocular (magnification 1.5-5.0x). In order to make anatomical elements more visible, 60-80% absolute alcohol and 0.5-4% acetic acid solution were used for the examinations. On the 20th, 24th, 27th and 30th day of gestation, the whole fetuses were collected for the histological examinations. The whole eyeball with developing accessory organs was collected from the pig fetuses on the 35th day of gestation. On the 50th, 63rd, 94th and 112th day of gestation, only the superficial gland with the third eyelid was collected. Staining with haematoxylin-eosin (H-E) and Azan method was performed. On the 20th, 24th, 27th and 30th day of gestation, the primordia of the glandular epithelium were not found in the examined material. The process of the third eyelid and superficial gland formation starts on the 35th day of gestation. On the 50th and 63rd day of gestation, the gland surrounding the cartilage of the third eyelid is composed of the high amount of loose connective tissue and gland cells which give rise to excretory segments. On the 94th day of gestation, the gland lobes become visible, the efferent ducts form. On the 112th day, the cartilage of the third eyelid assumes the appearance of the mature hyaline cartilage. The excretory segments are composed of simple cuboid epithelium with a large, round nucleus arranged less or more peripherally. Their number increases 2- or even 3-fold at the end of gestation.     

Morphology of deep gland of the third eyelid in pig foetuses

The morphological and histological examinations of the deep gland of the third eyelid were carried out on pig foetuses coming from the 35th, 50th, 63rd, 94th and 112th day of gestation. The morphological examinations were conducted using the method of macroscopic preparation with a forehead magnifying glass and binocular (magnification 1.5-5.0x). In order to make anatomical elements more visible, 60-80% absolute alcohol and 0.5-4% acetic acid solution were used for the examinations. For the histological examinations, the whole eyeball with developing accessory organs was collected from the pig foetuses on the 35th day of gestation. On the 50th, 63rd, 94th and 112th day of gestation only the deep gland of the third eyelid was collected. Staining with haematoxylin-eosin and Azan method was performed. It was found during the examinations that the process of the formation of the deep gland of the third eyelid starts on the 35th day of gestation. On the 50th day of gestation, the gland cells are evenly distributed in the connective tissue stroma. On the 63rd day of gestation, the connective tissue divides the gland parenchyma into indistinct lobes composed of 6-15 lobules. On the 94th day of gestation, the gland lobes become visible; the efferent ducts are situated in the central part of the lobe. On the 112th day of gestation, the lobes are composed of a high number of lobules composed of two kinds of excretory ducts. The first type of the excretory ducts is lined with the simple cuboid epithelium whose nuclei are situated at the base of the cell. The other type of the excretory ducts is lined with the simple cuboid epithelium whose nuclei are round and arranged less or more peripherally.     

The effect of synchronization on estrus and pregnancy in sheep and on levels of thyroxine, triiodothyronine, 17 beta-estradiol, progesterone and cholesterol]

Knowledge of pathogenesis of sexual dysfunctions at altered thyroid activity is limited by the knowledge of multiple and ubiquitous action of its hormones throughout the organism. One of the possibilities of modulatory influence of thyroid hormones on sexual functions can be realized through the participation of thyroxine and triiodothyronine in the synthesis and metabolism of primary substrate of steroid synthesis--cholesterol. The presented work is aimed at the study of simultaneous dynamic changes of concentrations of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), 17 beta-estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and cholesterol (Chol) during synchronization of the rutting period and gravidity at parallel correlative evaluation of mutual relations of the followed parameters in ten Merino sheep in the seasonal period. Synchronization was achieved by chlorsuperlutin (Agelin--vaginal swabs, Spofa; 20 mg of chlorsuperlutin/swab) and PMSG (500 I. U./animal). Blood was sampled by means of a jugular vein puncture at the time of swab insertion (-13th day) and after three (-10th day) and seven (-7th day) following days, at the removal of swabs and application of PMSG (-3rd day), on the day of insemination (zero day), on the 7th, 14th and 17th day and in the middle of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th month of gravidity. In the phase of oestrus synchronization a significant increase of E2 concentrations on days -7 and -3 of the experiment (0.47 +/- 0.079 and 0.542 +/- 0.177 nmol.l-1 of serum, P less than 0.001; P less than 0.001) was observed compared to the E2 values on day -13 (0.084 +/- 0.036 nmol.l-1 of serum). Parallel to these observations, marked intermittent changes of T4 (Tab. I, Graph 1) were recorded with the lowest values of this parameter observed on days -10 (41.75 +/- 20.23, P less than 0.05) and -3 (50.22 +/- 18.77, P less than 0.05) and the highest on day -7 (96.77 +/- 17.51 nmol.l-1, P less than 0.01) and day zero (85.40 +/- 19.59 nmol.l-1 of serum, P less than 0.05) in comparison with the -13th day (67.22 +/- 18.29 nmol.l-1 of serum). Concentrations of P4 (Tab. I, Graph 4) declined to the lowest values on day zero observation (0.09 +/- 0.08 nmol.l-1 of serum, P less than 0.05 vs 3.40 +/- 3.61 nmol.l-1 on day -13). No significant changes of concentrations of T3 (Tab. I, Graph 2) and Chol (Tab. I, Graph 5) were observed during oestrus synchronization. During gravidity, concentrations of E2 (Tab. I Graph 3) showed an increasing trend compared to the -13th day.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Distribution of immunoglobulin and secretory component containing cells in chickens

Distribution of immunoglobulin (Ig)-containing cells and secretory component in internal organs of two 15-day-old embryos and 17 chickens, 1 to 480 days old, were examined by fluorescent antibody technique. In 15-day-old embryos, Ig-containing cells were not found in gut, bursa, spleen, or thymus. The bursa of Fabricius synthesized IgM, IgG, and IgA in as young as 1-day-old chicks. In extrabursal organs, IgM-containing cells were already present in intestine of 1-day-old chicks, but IgA-containing cells appeared in intestine, thymus, and spleen between the 3rd and 7th day after hatching. Very few IgG-containing cells were in intestine on the 3rd and 7th day after hatching. Secretory component was found in epithelial surfaces of intestine and ductus choledochus of most chickens examined. The presence of secretory component and IgA-containing cells in intestine supported the existence of secretory-immunologic system in chickens.     

The effect of a restriction of the feed intake on the composition of the blood and on the development and composition of different tissues of sheep during growth. 2. The development of different tissues and the concentration of protein, DNA and RNA]

The concentration of protein in the cerebrum of sheep after a period of feed restriction (group 2) was lower (94.5 +/- 10.2) than in normally fed sheep of group 4 (101.4 +/- 9.4 mg/g wet weight). In the group 2 the concentration of protein in the M. longissimus dorsi and in the M. semimembranosus was also smaller. A high DNA-concentration was determined in the intestinal lymph nodes, in the spleen and in the lung. The DNA-concentration of the testes of group 2 (7.17 +/- 2.92) was higher than that of the group 4 (4.46 +/- 1.70 mg/g w. w.), also that of the renal fat tissue (0.39 +/- 0.18 resp. 0.20 +/- 0.09). The highest protein: DNA-relation in group 4 was found in the fat tissue (203.5: 1) and the lowest in the spleen (15.3: 1). A high RNA-concentration was analysed in the lymph nodes, in the spleen and in the lung. The RNA-concentration in the fat tissue of group 2 (0.34 +/- 0.13) was higher that that in group 4 (0.15 +/- 0.08 mg/g w. w.).     

Reference values of the red blood profile in beagle, German shepherd and golden retriever puppies

In the present study, blood samples were taken from clinically healthy puppies of the breeds Beagle, German Shepherd, and Golden Retriever between days 1 and 3 (n = 146), 8 and 10 (n = 137), 28 and 33 (n = 151), and 50 and 58 (n = 129) post natum. Measurements for red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, mean erythrocyte volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were performed by a semi-automatic blood cell counter; the normoblast number was counted visually. Between the 1st and 3rd day of life, the erythrocyte number of the puppies was 4.57 +/- 0.68 10(6)/microliter and, as such, was clearly below the reference range for adult animals. It further decreased by the 2nd measurement (8th to 10th day of life) to 3.59 +/- 0.41 10(6)/microliter, and then increased again to 4.75 +/- 0.68 10(6)/microliter (reference range: 3.73-6.25 10(6)/microliter, 2.5% to 97.5% percentile) by the final measurement (50th to 58th day of life). The measurement values of the haemoglobin concentration (13.5 +/- 2.0 g/dl) and haematocrit (41.0 +/- 6.5%) after birth were only insignificantly below or around the lower limit of the reference range for adult animals. Both parameters decreased to a more pronounced extent than did the erythrocyte count. They reached a minimum of 8.4 +/- 1.0 g/dl and 26.8 +/- 3.2%, respectively, between the 28th and 33rd day of life. Even at the end of the examination period (50th to 58th day of life), the values of these parameters (10.1 +/- 1.1 g/dl, reference range: 7.5-11.8 g/dl; 32.1 +/- 4.2%, reference range: 24.8 to 40.8%) were remarkably lower than the minimum of reference range for adult dogs. At the 1st sampling (between 1st and 3rd day of life), MCV (89.8 +/- 6.7 fl) and MCH (29.6 +/- 1.9 pg) were distinctly higher than the reference values for adult dogs. Both parameters decreased with increasing age. Thus, from the 50th-58th day of life, the results were comparable to those of adults. No considerable age dependence was found for MCHC. During the first days of life a relatively high number of normoblasts (8 +/- 7/100 Leukozyten) was found; it decreased rapidly. The study revealed significant differences between the breeds, e.g. German Shepherd dogs had lower initial values of erythrocyte count, haemoglobin concentration, and haematocrit when compared to the other breeds. Puppies of this breed also had higher normoblast numbers than the Beagle and Golden Retriever puppies at the 2nd and 3rd samplings. No clear sex differences in the studied parameters were observed. The results of this study reflect the replacement of fetal erythrocytes by postnatal erythrocytes. Moreover, they illustrate the need to use age as well as breed-specific reference ranges.     

Increased nuclear type II estradiol receptor concentrations in rat spleen during the course of pregnancy.

Estradiol receptors are classified into type I and type II receptors by their affinity and capacity for estradiol binding. The type II receptors are thought to be significant in the suppression of immune response, such as in the pregnancy-associated immunosuppression. The present study was undertaken to show the presence of type II receptors in rat spleen and to examine the change of receptor distribution after estradiol administration and during pregnancy. Scatchard analysis revealed that the type II receptors were present in rat spleen, and dissociation constants were estimated to be 3.23 x 10(-9) M for cytosol and 4.29 x 10(-9) M for nuclei. The receptors possessed specificity for estradiol and diethylstilbestrol, but not for promegestone, methyltrienolone and dexamethasone. Administration of estradiol to rats resulted in the increase of nuclear receptor concentrations with concomitant decrease of cytosolic concentrations. During pregnancy, the receptor concentrations were increased in the nuclear fraction, but were not significantly changed in the cytosolic fraction. The dissociation constants of the receptors in pregnant rat spleen (4.77 x 10(-9) M for cytosol and 7.20 x 10(-9) M for nuclei) were similar to those in the non-pregnant control, suggesting the quantitative change of the receptors during pregnancy.     

The distribution of vitamin A and retinol-binding protein in the blood plasma, urine, liver and kidneys of carnivores

The contents of retinol and retinyl esters as well as retinol-binding protein (RBP) in the plasma, urine, liver and kidneys of dogs, raccoon dogs and silver foxes were investigated. In the plasma and urine of all three species, vitamin A was present as retinol and retinyl esters. Vitamin A levels (1376+/-669 microg x g(-1)) were significantly higher in the livers of dogs than in the kidneys (200+/-217 microg x g(-1), P < 0.001 ). However, vitamin A levels in the kidneys of raccoon dogs (291+/-146 microg x g(-1)) and silver foxes (474+/-200 microg x g(-1)) were significantly higher than in the liver (67+/-58 microg x g(-1) and 4.3+/-2.4 microg x g(-1), respectively, both P < 0.001). RBP was immunologically detected in the blood plasma of all species, but never in the urine. In the liver, immunoreactive RBP was found in hepatocytes. In the kidneys of all species, RBP was observed in the cells of the proximal convoluted tubules. The levels of vitamin A in the livers of raccoon dogs and silver foxes were extremely low, which would be interpreted as a sign of great deficiency in humans. This observation might indicate that the liver status cannot be used as an indicator of vitamin A deficiency in canines. The high levels of vitamin A in the kidneys in all three species may indicate a specific function of the kidney in the vitamin A metabolism of canines.     

Effect of double nursing on some anatomical and physiological properties of the digestive tract of rabbits between 23 and 44 days of age

Anatomical and physiological properties of the digestive tract were examined and compared in young rabbits nursed either by one (SS) or by two does (DD) daily up to the age of 35 days. At the age of 23, 30, 37 and 44 days, 8 young per treatment were euthanised. Double suckling and the subsequent higher level of solid feed intake after weaning were found to exert a stronger influence on the weight of the entire gastrointestinal tract and that of its individual parts (the stomach, small intestine, caecum and colon) than on its length. The quantity of the gastric content was found to rise with advancing age in both groups (from 36 to 70 g and from 37.5 to 79 g). In both groups the pH of the stomach was higher during the suckling period (4.5-5.3) than subsequent to weaning (1.6-2.4). The quantity of the caecal content also increased with age (from 4 or 8 g), but on the 37th day significantly higher quantities of caecal content were recorded in DD rabbits (50.5 g compared with 35 g). The pH of the caecal content decreased more slowly from an initial high value (6.0 and 6.5 in SS and DD rabbits, respectively), and by the 37th day had settled at a low value (5.7-5.8) in both groups. The dry matter content of the caecal content decreased from 270-273 g to 188-207 g in both groups. Total volatile fatty acid (tVFA) and acetic acid (C2) concentration, which amounted to 66-88% of tVFA, rose; in SS rabbits they were at higher levels by the 30th day (53.6 and 42.2 mmol/L, respectively), and remained at an increased level until the 44th day (P < 0.05). The ratio of C3: C4 was high on the 23rd day (2.5 and 2.4), but dropped at the age of 30 days (0.5 in SS and 1.7 in DD, P < 0.05) and, further, by the 37th day (0.2 in SS). In SS rabbits coliform count proved significantly lower (10(5)) on the 23rd day than in DD rabbits (10(6)). By the 37th day this count had decreased in both groups and subsequently remained at a low level (< 10(4)). By the 23rd day Bacteroides were present in large quantities (10(8)) in the caecum and showed no change with advancing age or feeding regime.     

The Ossification of the Pelvic Girdle and Leg Skeleton of the Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The onset of ossification centres of the pelvic girdle and leg skeleton of the quail in embryos and juvenile birds were studied. Specimens, which were cleared and were stained with Alcian Blue and Alizarin Red S, were examined at the stereomicroscope. The ilium and the pubis began to ossify at the 8th day (E8), whereas the ischium at E9. Perichondral ossification was observed at E6 in the femur, tibia and fibula. A secondary ossification centre was detected in the proximal epiphysis of the tibiotarsus at the 15th post‐hatching day (P15). The patella began to ossify at P30. Regarding the tarsal bones tibiale, pre‐tibiale and fibulare, ossification was observed at the E15, E12 and E16, respectively. The metatarsals II, III, IV ossified at E7, whereas the metatarsal I at E11. The centres of ossification of the 1st phalanges of all digits were observed at E9. At the same day, the ossification centres of the 2nd phalanx of digits II and III as well as the 3rd phalanx of digit III appeared. At E10, ossification was observed in the 2nd phalanx of digit I, in the 3rd phalanx of digit II and in the 2nd and 3rd phalanx of digit IV. In the 4th phalanx of digit III and in the terminal phalanges of digit IV, ossification was observed at E11. The data presented here provide useful baseline information on the normal sequential pattern of ossification in the pelvic girdle and leg skeleton in this species.     

The effect of age, weight and the breed of heifer on the concentration of thyroxine during insemination

We determined the thyroxine (T4) concentration in 63 heifers on 0th (day of insemination), 6th and 21st day after first and in repeat-breeder cows after second and third insemination in relation with the breed, age and weight of animals. The examination was carried out with a feed ration balanced according to the Czechoslovak State Standard CSN 46 7070, with all-the-year-round housing, with keeping the uniform time of insemination (8.00--9.00 a. m.) as well as the time of blood sampling (10.00--12.00 a. m.). The animals were inseminated from August to November. The average T4 concentrations, with a successful insemination, fluctuated on 0th day after first, second and third insemination at levels of 56.15 +/- 13.6; 84.6 +/- 10.66 and 89.75 +/- 13.62 nmol X l-1 of serum. As the results show, the lowest T4 concentrations (P less than 0.001; P less than 0.001) on 0th day were recorded in animals becoming pregnant in first insemination. The comparison with non-pregnant animals did not show any statistically significant difference in T4 concentrations. On 0th day of the second insemination, the T4 concentrations in pregnant animals were higher (P less than 0.01) as compared with non-pregnant. On 6th and 21st day after successful first insemination the T4 content increased significantly (P less than 0.001). After second and third successful insemination we recorded in T4 concentrations a moderate decrease on 6th day (P less than 0.01 for third insemination), with insignificant increase on 21st day.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Genetic control of cellular infection by subgroups A and C RNA tumour viruses in guinea fowl

An investigation was carried out in guinea fowl to determine their susceptibility to infection by Rous sarcoma viruses of subgroups A and C. A standard dose of each subgroup virus was inoculated into 14-day-old embryos via the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). On the 10th day after inoculation, 50% of the embryonic chorioallantoic membranes were harvested to assess their infection status (CAM(+) or (–)), while the rest were allowed to hatch. The hatchabilities of the embryos inoculated with subgroups A and C were about 50% and 57%, respectively. The relative sensitivities of guinea fowl to infection by viruses of subgroups A and C were observed to be 0.220 and 0.003, respectively, as compared to chickens (1.00). Mortality due to subgroup A virus-induced liver tumours (LT) was 54% and four phenotypic subclasses, namely CAM(+) LT(+), CAM(+) LT(–), CAM(–) LT(+) and CAM(–) LT(–), were observed in guinea fowl as in chickens. However, a higher incidence (31%) of conversely associated phenotypes, i.e. CAM(+) LT(–) and CAM(–) LT(+), were observed in guinea fowl. Mortality caused by subgroup A virus-induced liver tumours was first observed in inoculated guinea fowl keets during the 3rd week after hatching, and 93% of the mortality occurred within 6 weeks. The peak mortality occurred in the 4th week after hatching. The target organs for transformation were considered to be the liver and spleen because of the equal incidence of tumours in these organs. Males and females were equally likely to die from liver tumours. There was also a considerable reduction in the hatchability of guinea fowl embryos from eggs inoculated with either viral subgroup, as reported in chickens.Abbreviations BS Bryan standard - CAM chorioallantoic membrane - LL lymphoid leukosis - LT liver tumour - PCV pock count range - RSV Rous sarcoma virus - tva tumour virus (subgroup A) - tvc tumour virus (subgroup C)