Muscle Representation within the Hypoglossal Nucleus of the Chicken Studied by Means of Horseradish Peroxidase

The distribution in the chicken of motoneurons innervating the hyolingual muscles, i.e. the Mm. hyoglossus rostralis (HR), hyoglossus obliquus (HO), ceratoglossus (CG), interceratobranchialis (CB). stylohyoideus (YH), serpihyoideus (PH) and cricohyoideus (CR), and the laryngotracheal muscles, comprising the Mm. tracheolateralis (TL), cleido-hyoideus (CL) and sternotrachealis (ST), was examined by retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase conjugated with wheat-germ agglutinin. Labelled motoneurons are only found in the hypoglossal nucleus. The rostrocaudal distributions of motoneurons projecting to hyolingual muscles are restricted in the hypoglossal nucleus cranial to the obex, and those projecting to laryngotracheal muscles are distributed in the more caudal part of hypoglossal nucleus. Detailed analysis of the data showed that the most rostrally positioned motoneurons in the hypoglossal nucleus supplied to the PH, followed by the CG, CB. HR, YH, HO, CR, TL, CL and ST in that order, overlapping each other. In the hypoglossal nucleus motoneurons innervating the PH and YH have the smallest perikarya. Of the motoneurons in the hypoglossal nucleus, those supplying the laryngotracheal muscles (CL and TL) have the largest perikarya. Motoneurons innervating the other muscles are intermediate in size.     

Effects of dihydroheptaprenol on neutrophil functions in calves

Microemulsified dihydroheptaprenol (DHP) was administered intramuscularly to clinically healthy calves at doses of 4, 6 and 8 mg/kg body weight. Marked increase of neutrophil counts was observed 0.5, 1 and 2 days after the injection at a dose of 6 mg/kg. Nitroblue tetrazolium reducing activity of neutrophils was also obviously enhanced 1, 2 and 3 days after DHP administration. Phagocytic killing of Staphylococcus aureus by neutrophils was further enhanced markedly 1, 2 and 3 days after the drug injection at 6 mg/kg.     

Incorporation of heavy metals by the mud snail,Cipangopaludina chinensis malleata Reeve,in submerged paddy soil treated with composted sewage sludge

Summary The biomass of newborn snails was higher in paddy soil without rice plants than in the soil with rice plants. There was an inverse correlation between shell width and concentratins of Zn and Cu in snail flesh. The Zn and Cu concentrations in snail flesh were extremely high compared with those in the paddy soil surrounding the snails, possibly because snails ingest sludge, one of the main components of the composts. These results suggest that this type of snail may be used to eliminate Zn and Cu from paddy soil when composted sewage sludge has been applied.