Physiological effects of arginine vasotocin and mesotocin in cockerels

1. The effects of continuous infusion of 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 mU/min/kg body weight of arginine vasotocin (AVT) or mesotocin (MT) on cardiovascular and thermoregulatory responses, on plasma osmolality and ionic composition and on plasma concentrations of AVT, MT, prolactin and aldosterone, were investigated in conscious White Leghorn cockerels.

2. Neither of the peptides, at any dose, affected cardiovascular functions, plasma ions and osmolality. Infusion of MT at the rate of 10 mU/min/kg body weight increased respiratory rate. Both peptides at doses of 1 and 10 mU/min/kg reduced the temperatures of the comb and shank but had no effect on the skin and cloaca.

3. Doses of 0.1 and 1.0 mU MT/mu/kg reduced plasma aldosterone and at 10 mU/min/kg increased plasma AVT. At any given dose MT had no effect on plasma prolactin. AVT at 0.1 and 1.0 mU/min/kg of AVT reduced plasma MT. AVT at 1.0 mU/min/kg increased plasma prolactin and at 10 mU/min/kg reduced plasma aldosterone.

4. During saline infusion, plasma MT was positively correlated with plasma AVT and negatively correlated with respiratory rate and cloacal temperature. Plasma AVT showed a positive correlation with plasma MT and aldosterone and a negative correlation with respiratory rate and skin temperature.

5. During saline infusion, there was no significant correlation between cardiovascular functions, or plasma osmolality and ionic composition and plasma MT or AVT.

6. The present study suggests that interrelationships between circulating concentrations of AVT and MT do exist and that AVT affects     

Releases in israel ofAphelinus perpallidus,a recently introduced parasite of the pecan blackmargined aphid,Monellia caryella

Six shipments totaling 3452 mummies of the blackmargined aphid,Monellia caryella (Fitch), parasitized withAphelinus perpallidus Gahan, were obtained by air freight during the years 1982-1985 from Texas A&M Research Center, El Paso, Texas. About two-thirds of the mummies did not yield parasites. A colony ofA. perpallidus was established in the laboratory. Under laboratory conditions the percentage of emerged parasites was higher than that in the imported mummies, and the parasite had very limited impact on the aphid population. Field releases of the parasite were made but no establishment ofA. perpallidus was observed through the years.