P. Thaxton

Concentrations of serum proteins during aflatoxicosis

The concentrations of different classes of serum proteins of chickens to graded doses of dietary aflatoxin (0, 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μg/g of diet) were measured using disc gel electrophoresis. Total serum proteins were reduced significantly (p < 0.05) by a dose of 1.25 μg/g or greater. The α-globulins and β-globulins were reduced at levels of 2.5 and 1.25 μg/g, respectively. The IgG component was reduced at 2.5 μg/g while the IgM component was not affected significantly at any level. The prealbumin fraction was reduced at 5 μg/g. The most sensitive component was serum albumin that was decreased significantly at the smallest level and was decreased to the greatest extent at the highest level. Its response curve roughly paralleled that of total serum lipids. Serum lipoproteins were decreased at 1.25 and 2.5 μg/g but not at lower or higher levels. These data can be explained by a hypothesis that aflatoxin or an active metabolite binds randomly to template deoxyribonucleic acid and inhibits the larger transcribing units such as those for serum albumin and lipid before the smaller transcribing units are inhibited.

SOME EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE OF THE JAPANESE QUAIL EMBRYO TO 2.45‐GHz MICROWAVE RADIATION

Exposure of quail eggs 4 hr per day during the first 5 incubation days at 2450 MHz and in an exposure field of 30 mW/cm-2 and at an absorbed power of 14 mW/g does not cause any great change in body weight, observed gross malformations, rbc, wbc, hematocrit, hemoglobin, or differential wbc percentages. If small differences exist in these parameters due to microwave exposure, they are obscured by the large variability between individual quail. This variability is believed to partially result from changing blood values in the developing young quail, and the 2-day spread in ages at the time of sacrifice could account for some of the variability. The overall hatch percentages for the exposed and control eggs were approximately equal. A slight significant decrease (11%) in hemoglobin was noted in the birds irradiated on Day 2. Additional verification, however, is needed, because the observed change is less than the normal range of values observed in young quail. These data do suggest, however, that exposure of developing Japanese quail embryo to microwave radiation of the frequency and power density level used in this study does not preclude normal systemic development, hematologic differentiation, or the general hardiness of the hatched quail.

Humoral immunity of Japanese quail subjected to microwave radiation during embryogeny.

Fertile Japanese quail eggs were exposed to continuous wave microwave radiation at an intensity of 5 mW/cm2 (50 W/m2) and a frequency of 2450 MHz. The absorbed power density was determined to be 4.03 W/kg. The eggs were exposed throughout the first 12 days of the normal incubation period of 17.5 days. Non-exposed control eggs were incubated in a chamber identical to the exposure chamber. After hatching, exposed and control quail were reared in the conventional laboratory manner. Weekly body weight measurements were made to compare the growth patterns of exposed and control quail. The weights of the exposed male at the ages of 4 and 5 weeks were 12 and I % , respectively, less than the control males. These differences approached statistical significance ( P ~ 0 . 0 5 ) . At 5 weeks of age the quail were challenged with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and the levels of the anti-SRBC antibodies were determined. The levels of specific anti-SRBC antibodies, determined 4 days after antigen challenges, were of the same magnitude for both the exposed and control quail. Following this assessment of humoral immunity, the quail were sacrificed and the bursa of Fabricius and spleen were removed and a comparison was made of exposed and control birds. The weights of the bursa of Fabricius and spleen were not altered significantly by the microwave exposure. Research Triangle Park, NC27709 PAUL THAXTON and CARMEN R. PARKHURST

Antibody Responses to Xenogeneic Red Blood Cell Challenge in the Japanese Quail

Previous reports indicate that Japanese quail are hyporesponsive to such conventionally used antigens as sheep red blood cells and bovine serum albumin. In this study the immune responsiveness of Japanese quail to several erythrocyte antigens was investigated. The quail produced higher antibody titers when immunized with chukar red blood cells than when immunized with sheep, turkey, or pheasant red blood cells. It is concluded that Japanese quail are capable of producing HA titers comparable in magnitude to those demonstrated by other laboratory animals, when the quail are immunized with an appropriate antigen. Chukar red blood cells are such an antigen.

Recrudescence of the thymus and repopulation of lymphocytes during an artificially induced molt in the domestic chicken: Proposed model system

Abstract Thymic recrudescence accompanied by a lymphocytic repopulation was induced in Single Comb White Leghorn (SCWL) hens by an artificially induced molt. Molting induction involved manipulating the photoperiod combined with periods of food and water deprivation. Thymic recrudescence was evidenced by an increase in size and number of thymic lobes and repopulation of cortical lymphocytes. Lymphocytic repopulation occurred only in molting hens, and upon resumption of reproduction, the thymus again regressed. Artificially induced molting is a model system for studying the immunologic, physiologic, and endocrinologic effects of lymphocytic repopulation in the thymus.

The excretory system of young chickens experiencing mercury toxicity--effects on kidney development, morphology, and function.

Four trials were conducted to determine if toxic levels of mercury affect kidney development, morphology, and renal function. Mercury, administeredvia the drinking water as mercuric chloride caused a reduction in gross kidney weight, an increase in relative kidney weight and a slight but significant increase in the percentage water retained by left kidney of 6-week-old cockerels. Mercury had no effect on renal function of 6-week-old birds as indicated by the clearance of phenol red from circulation. Histological discontinuity of the kidney was extensive and evidenced by foamy cell degeneration and nuclear pyknosis. Although mercury caused gross alterations in the morphology of the kidney, normal excretory function was maintained.

Effect of mercury toxicity on serum osmolality, plasma sodium and potassium, and serum proteins in the chicken

Juvenile male chickens were exposed continuously to 300μg/ml of mercury (Hg) in the form of mercuric chloride (HgCl2),via the drinking water, from hatching through six weeks of age. Serum osmolality and plasma potassium were increased significantly as a result of the Hg treatment. Plasma sodium was increased numerically in two of the three trials. Of the serum proteins, only albumin and the transferrins exhibited a consistent significant increase. It is concluded that alterations in serum ions and proteins account for the significant increase in plasma osmolality. The increase in transferrins may represent a mechanism to bind and detoxify Hg.

Mercury induced cardiovascular abnormalities in the chicken.

Juvenile chickens were either chronically exposed to 300 µg/ml of Hg in the drinking water (chronic dosage—CD) or acutely exposed to either 3 mg of Hg/kg body wt (acute low dosage—ALD) or 12 mg of Hg/kg body wt (acute high dosage—AHD) administered intramuscularly for five consecutive days. Only the CD and AHD treatments retarded normal growth. Relative heart weights were increased by the CD treatment, decreased by the AHD treatment, and remained unchanged during the ALD treatment. Relative aorta weights were increased by the CD treatment but decreased by the AHD treatment. ECG analyses revealed a consistent decrease in the amplitude of the R-S and T waves with the greatest effects present in the acute (ALD and AHD) treatments. Histological examination revealed that Hg caused myocardial histopathological changes characterized as a myocarditis with polymorphonuclear and lymphocytic infiltration and fatty degeneration. It is concluded that Hg causes cardiovascular disturbances in chickens even when administered at levels which do not inhibit normal growth.