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Distribution of Thy-1 in the avian nervous system: immunohistochemical and absorption analyses with a monoclonal antibody.

A monoclonal antibody against chicken Thy-1 has been used to study the histochemical localisation of Thy-1 in chicken nervous and lymphoid tissues and to quantitate the relative amounts of Thy-1 in different brain subregions, subcellular fractions and non-neural tissues. An indirect ELISA using chicken brain membranes as a target established that the highest levels of Thy-1 were present in chicken forebrain, followed by midbrain, brainstem, spinal cord, cerebellum, retina and sciatic nerve. Analyses of subcellular fractions of chicken forebrain revealed a generalised localisation of Thy-1 on membranes comprising both the junctional and extrajunctional components of the synaptosome. Consistent with this finding are the immunohistochemical studies on cryostat sections where Thy-1 was localised to certain axonal and synaptic regions of chicken nervous tissue. Strong monoclonal antibody binding was found in the molecular layer and white matter of chicken cerebellar sections with fibrous staining on the axons running through the granule cell layer. No continuous staining could be seen on the perikaryal membranes of Purkinje cells or granule cells and no staining was present within the cell bodies. The Bergmann glia of the cerebellum were Thy-1-negative. The monoclonal antibody showed preferential binding to the inner plexiform and optic fibre layers of the chicken retina, suggesting a retinal ganglion cell localisation for chicken Thy-1, as has been suggested for the rat and mouse homologues. Surprisingly the lymphocytes of both the bursa and thymus gland were Thy-1-negative, however some extracellular staining was observed of interlobular connective tissue of the bursa.

Animals↗

Protein kinase C-like immunoreactive cells in embryo and adult chicken retinas.

Morphological evidence of a temporal parallelism between the appearance of the alpha isoform of protein kinase C (PKC) and some processes such as synaptogenesis in the plexiform layers of the chicken retina is offered. Immunostaining experiments were performed throughout embryonic, young and adult chicken life. The results help to understand the development of rod bipolar cells.

Aging↗

Regulated binding of the fibrinogen-like domains of tenascin-R and tenascin-C to the neural EGF family member CALEB.

The neural transmembrane protein CALEB was discovered in a screen for novel molecules implicated in neuronal differentiation processes and was found to bind to two proteins of the extracellular matrix, tenascin-C and tenascin-R. The expression of different isoforms of CALEB in axon- and synapse-rich areas in the nervous system is regulated during development. Here we show that an unusual acidic peptide segment of CALEB is sufficient to mediate the binding of CALEB to the fibrinogen-like globes of both tenascin family members as well as to native tenascin-C. We identify a small sequence element within the acidic peptide segment of CALEB as important for this binding. Interestingly, the interactions of CALEB and tenascin-C and -R seem to be regulated during development. We demonstrate that only CALEB-80, the expression of which is up-regulated in the chicken retina during synaptogenesis, but not CALEB-140, expressed later on in development, can bind to the fibrinogen-like domains of tenascin-R or tenascin-C and to native tenascin-C. While both CALEB-80 and CALEB-140 are expressed in the plexiform layers and the optic fiber layer of embryonic chicken retina, CALEB-140 labeling is more intense in the optic fiber layer in comparison to the inner plexiform layer.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Oedema disease in chickens caused by Mexican poppy (Argemone mexicana) seed.

Ground Mexican poppy (Argemone mexicana) seed produced growth depression, oedema and death when fed at 1% and 3% of a basal ration to day-old, layer strain, cockerel chickens. The mortality rate was increased by raising the sodium chloride content of the basal ration from 0.18% to 1.68%. Clinical signs consisted of subcutaneous oedema, a high pitched chirp and terminal gasping. Hydropericardium, oedema of the lungs, and subcutaneous oedema of the thorax, abdomen, wings, neck and throat were the major lesions. Foci of calcificaton were present in the ventricular myocardium of some chickens fed 3% A. mexicana.

Animal Feed↗

Generation of a monoclonal antibody specific for ganglioside GM4: evidence for GM4 expression on astrocytes in chicken cerebellum.

We established a murine monoclonal antibody (MAb) specific for ganglioside GM4 by immunizing C3H/HeN mice with chemically synthesized GM4 adsorbed to Salmonella minnesota, followed by fusion with mouse myeloma cells. The MAb, designated as AMR10, was shown to exhibit high binding specificity, reacting only with the ganglioside GM4 used for immunization and native GM4 from human brain. We determined the distribution of GM4 in adult chicken cerebellum by means of the immunofluorescence technique with the MAb. Our study revealed that GM4 expression was associated with astrocytes in the granular layer and the white matter, but not with myelin in any layers of the chicken cerebellar cortex.

Animals↗

Ultramicroscopical immunolocalization of PAX6 in the adult chicken retina.

Cell type-specific PAX6 protein expression was examined in all retinal layers of the normal chicken retina. The most intense PAX6 immunostaining was found in the ganglion cell and inner nuclear layers, and in lower amounts in the optic nerve fiber, the inner plexiform and the photoreceptor layers. PAX6 immunostaining was variable in terms of its subcellular localization, even within one cell. PAX6 immunostaining was mainly localized in nuclear heterochromatin of the ganglion cell and inner nuclear layers whereas in the outer nuclear layer, PAX6 immunostaining was only observed in the intercellular space and the cytoplasm. In photoreceptors, the myoid portion of the inner segment showed PAX6 immunostaining, but the ellipsoid portion and the outer segment did not. The ultrastructural distribution pattern of PAX6 in the adult chicken retina suggests that normal expression of PAX6 is variable even in subcellular structures in the same cell type.

Animals↗

Further characterization of tissue distribution and metabolism of (14C)aflatoxin B1 in chickens.

The distribution and metabolism of [(14)C]aflatoxin B(1) in chicken tissues were further investigated. Previously dried and frozen ethyl acetate extracts of liver, heart, gizzard, breast, leg, blood, and fecal samples were obtained from either layer or broiler chickens fed subclinical levels of [(14)C]aflatoxin B(1). Treatment of these extracts with either carboxypeptidase A, leucine aminopeptidase, pepsin, or trypsin revealed that an average of 50% of the (14)C detected in the acetate extracts was a liberated peptide (or amino acid) conjugate of [(14)C]aflatoxin B(2a). When a prepared standard of B(2a) was made by incubation of B(1) with cold dilute aqueous HCl, the R(f) values and absorbance maxima were identical with those of the tissue extracts after enzymatic treatment.

Acetates↗

[Immunisation of fancy chickens against Newcastle disease].

The German Regulation on Fowl plague which is in force since 1994 laid down that any chicken of all races and all hybrids must be vaccinated against Newcastle disease (ND) in a mode that an adequate immunity is achieved. Onset, duration, and resistance to challenge of immunity induced by vaccination is well documented in the scientific literature for hybrid chicken of the layer and meat types. These data prove also innocuity and efficacy of the registered vaccines. In contrast, only a few and incomplete data exist on the development of ND directed immunity in fancy chickens. The present study describes vaccinations of chickens of 14 different hobby breeds with live LaSota vaccine (conjunctival application of 10(6) embryo-infective dose50 per bird) and with an inactivated oil-emulsion vaccine (intramuscular application of 0.5 ml per bird) and subsequent intramuscular challenge infections using the highly virulent NDV strain Herts 33/66. Chickens of all 14 breeds tolerated the application of both vaccines. All fancy chickens reacted with the production of serum antibodies which were measured in the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and virus neutralisation (VN) tests. According to the scientific literature, maximal antibody levels are reached in hybrid chickens between day 10 and 20 post vaccination. In contrast, in fancy chickens the antibody maxima are delayed to the seventh to eighth week post vaccination. All fancy chickens vaccinated either once with live LaSota virus or with live and inactivated vaccines resisted challenge with the highly virulent Herts 33/66 strain of NDV and did not develop any signs of disease. There are indications for gradual differences in susceptibility of different breeds of fancy chickens. The levels of non-specific neutralisation as measured in the virus neutralisation test differ between breed. Also, the viral content in tissues obtained from non-vaccinated but challenged birds differ markedly. It is concluded from the results of this study that fancy chickens can also successfully protected against Newcastle disease by using live and inactivated vaccines which are licensed for hybrid chickens. However, the optimal time for the detection of maximal antibody levels in fancy chickens is reached seven to eight weeks post vaccination.

Animals↗

First isolation and characterization of very virulent Marek's disease virus in Taiwan.

Isolation of very virulent Marek's disease virus (vvMDV) was carried out by inoculating blood and spleen samples of Marek's disease (MD) chickens onto chicken embryo fibroblast cell cultures and into the peritoneal cavity of one-day-old chicks. Seven isolates of MDV were isolated in this experiment. By the results of cytopathic effect and fluorescent antibody tests, the 7 isolates were divided into 3 serotypes: serotype 1 of strains LTB-1, -2, -3, LTS-1, and -2; serotype 2 of strain LTB-4; and serotype 3 of strain LTB-5. Strain LTB-1 was used to inoculate experimental chickens of both layers and broilers. Early phase mortality and markedly atrophied lymphoid organs were observed during 0-2nd week post-inoculation (PI) and at 5th week PI, respectively, but were not found in uninoculated chickens. In addition, experimental chickens vaccinated with (HVT) vaccine at 1 day old and challenged with strain LTB-1 at 10th day post-vaccination, revealed early phase death before 2nd week post-challenged (PC), and lymphomatous lesions before 10th week PC. From these results of this in vivo experiment, strain LTB-1 showed the same pathogenicity as that of vvMDV, and this is the first report of vvMDV being isolated and identified in Taiwan.

Animals↗

Dual infection of chickens with pox and infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) confirmed with specific pox and ILT DNA dot-blot hybridization assays.

Dual infection with fowl pox (FP) and infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) was diagnosed as the cause of acute mortality in a flock of three age groups of Hy-Line leghorn layers. The affected chickens had not been previously vaccinated against either FP or ILT. The diagnosis was confirmed by virus isolation, histopathology, and the use of specific pox and ILT genomic DNA probes in a dot-blot hybridization assay. FP and ILT vaccinations were recommended to control mortality. The use of FP- and ILT-specific DNA dot-blot hybridization may be used as a routine diagnostic tool to differentiate between the two diseases, especially in atypical cases of either infection or to confirm the existence of the two diseases as a mixed infection in a flock of chickens.

Allantois↗

Derivation and characterization of pluripotent embryonic germ cells in chicken.

Embryonic germ (EG) cell lines established from primordial germ cells (PGCs) are undifferentiated and pluripotent stem cells. To date, EG cells with proven germ-line transmission have been completely established only in the mouse with embryonic stem (ES) cells. We isolated PGCs from 5.5-day-old (stage 28) chicken embryonic gonads and established a putative chicken EG cell line with EG culture medium supplemented with stem cell factor (SCF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), interleukin-11 (IL-11), and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). These cells grew continuously for ten passages (4 months) on a feeder layer of mitotically active chicken embryonic fibroblasts. After several passages, these cells were characterized by screening with the periodic acid-Schiff reaction, anti-SSEA-1 antibody, and a proliferation assay. The chicken EG cells maintained characteristics of gonadal PGCs and undifferentiated stem cells. When cultured in suspension, the chicken EG cells successfully formed an embryoid body and differentiated into a variety of cell types. The chicken EG cells were injected into stage X blastodermal layer and produced chimeric chickens with various differentiated tissues derived from the EG cells. Chicken EG cells will be useful for the production of transgenic chickens and for studies of germ cell differentiation and genomic imprinting.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Analysis of genetic relationships between various populations of domestic and jungle fowl using microsatellite markers.

The genomes of domestic and jungle fowl populations maintained in Ukraine and Germany were screened using microsatellites as molecular markers. Genetic variation and genetic distances between strains of different origins and performance potentials were determined. In total, 224 individuals of 20 populations were genotyped for 14 microsatellite markers covering 11 linkage groups. Of the 14 microsatellite loci, the number of alleles ranged between 2 and 21 per locus, the mean number of alleles being 11.2 per locus. By using Nei's standard distance and the Neighbor-Joining method, a phylogenetic tree was reconstructed; its topology reflected general patterns of relatedness and genetic differentiation among the chicken populations studied. Three major phylogenetic tree groupings were found. The red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus) formed a separate branch and demonstrated a specific allele distribution when compared with domestic fowl breeds analyzed. The second branch comprised commercial layer lines and chicken breeds that were subject to intense selection in the past or had common ancestral breeds with commercial strains. The third group encompassed the German native breed populations. The information about population and breed genetic relationships estimated by microsatellite analysis may be useful as an initial guide in defining objectives for designing future investigations of genetic variation and developing conservation strategies.

Alleles↗

Response of laying hens and growing broilers to the dietary inclusion of mango (Mangifera indica L.) seed kernel meal.

Studies were carried out to assess the nutritive value and utilization of mango (Mangifera indica L.) seed kernel (MSK) in the diets of layer and broiler chickens. The physical component of mango seeds was found to consist of 678 g/kg kernel, 292 g/kg shell and 30 g/kg testa. Meal from the seed kernel contained 61.6 g crude protein, 136.2 g ether extract, 22.3 g ash, 46.4 g crude fibre, 673.5 g nitrogen-free extract and appreciable mineral content. In the layers trial, MSK replaced maize weight for weight at 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 g/kg. Results indicated a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in feed intake, rate of lay, egg mass and feed efficiency with increase in MSK. Layers on 150, 200 and 250 g/kg MSK exhibited the highest body weight losses. Except for lower shell thickness (p < 0.05) in hens fed MSK at 200 and 250 g/kg, the internal egg quality characteristics were comparable. In the broiler experiment, MSK was incorporated at levels of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 g/kg at the expense of maize but with slight adjustments to the soybean meal so as to achieve isonitrogenous diets. Body weight and body weight gains increased significantly (p <0.05) up to 100 g/kg and then decreased. MSK at 150 or 200 g/kg had no significant effects (p >0.05) on feed intake and feed efficiency when compared with control diet. Organ weights with the exception of liver and lung were unaffected by dietary MSK. Haematological indices were not influenced (p > 0.05) by dietary MSK except haemoglobin and mean cell haemoglobin, which were higher (p<0.05) in broilers fed 100 g/kg MSK. Neutrophils, lymphocytes and albumin/ globulin ratio were similar on all diets. The results indicated that at higher weight for weight levels, MSK cannot readily substitute maize in layer diets, whereas a marginal improvement was recorded in the broiler diet, albeit with nutrient supplementation.

Animal Feed↗

Mapping of quantitative trait loci for body weight at three, six, and nine weeks of age in a broiler layer cross.

An F2 chicken population was established from a cross of a broiler sire-line and an egg laying (White Leghorn) line. There were two males and two females from both lines in the base population. The F1 progeny consisted of 8 males and 32 females. Over 500 F2 offspring from five hatches were reared to slaughter at a live weight of 2 kg at 9 wk of age. Body weights at 3, 6, and 9 wk were recorded. The DNA was extracted from blood samples, and genotypes for 101 microsatellite markers were determined. Data of 466 individuals from 30 families were available for analysis. Interval mapping QTL analyses were carried out. The QTL significant at the genome wide level that affected body weight at two ages were identified on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 7, and 8 and a QTL on Chromosome 13 influenced body weight at all three ages. Genetic effects were generally additive, and the broiler allele increased body weight in all cases. The effects for significant individual QTL accounted for between 0.2 and 1.0 phenotypic standard deviations and the sum of the additive effects accounted for approximately 0.75 of the line difference in body weight at 6 wk of age. The largest single additive effect was on chromosome 4, and the effect of substituting one copy of the gene was an increase in weight of 249 g. Interactions of the QTL with sex or family were unimportant. There was no evidence for imprinting or of two or more QTL at the same location for any of the traits.

Aging↗

Species specificity in avian sperm:perivitelline interaction.

The interaction of chicken spermatozoa with the inner perivitelline layer from different avian species in vitro during a 5 min co-incubation was measured as the number of points of hydrolysis produced per unit area of inner perivitelline layer. The average degree of interaction, as a proportion of that between chicken spermatozoa and their homologous inner perivitelline layer, was: equal to or greater than 100% within Galliformes (chicken, turkey, quail, pheasant, peafowl and guineafowl); 44% within Anseriformes (goose, duck); and less than 30% in Passeriformes (Zebra Finch) and Columbiformes (collared-dove). The homologue of the putative chicken sperm-binding proteins, chicken ZP1 and ZP3, were identified by Western blotting with anti-chicken ZP1/ZP3 antibody in the perivitelline layers of all species. The functional cross-reactivity between chicken spermatozoa and heterologous inner perivitelline layer appeared to be linked to known phylogenetic distance between the species, although it was not related to the relative affinity of the different ZP3 homologues for anti-chicken ZP3. This work demonstrates that sperm interaction with the egg investment does not represent such a stringent species-specific barrier in birds as it does in mammals and marine invertebrates. This may be a factor in the frequency of hybrid production in birds.

Animals↗

Histochemical study of the distribution of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPHd)-positive neurons in the chicken caecum.

The distribution of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPHd)-positive neurones was investigated in the chicken caecum. Double staining combined NADPHd histochemistry with immunohistochemistry for neural nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) indicated that NADPHd-positive neurones also showed immunoreactivity for nNOS. NADPHd-positive nerve cell bodies were observed in both the myenteric and the submucous plexuses. Nerve fibres showing enzyme activity were mainly distributed in the circular muscle layer, but only a few fibres in the mucosal layer. Fine nerve fibres showing NADPHd activity were found running between germinal centres in the caecal tonsil. Quantitative analysis showed no significant differences in the number of enzyme-positive nerve cell bodies per ganglion of the myenteric and the submucous plexuses among three different caecal regions; proximal, middle and distal regions. Larger numbers of ganglia were detected in the submucous plexus than the myenteric plexus at all three regions. These data indicate that nitrergic neurones in the submucous plexus mainly project to the circular muscle layer in the chicken caecum. It is possible that nitrergic nerves regulate the motility of the chicken caecum.

Animals↗

Research note: the S(al)-c mutation in the chicken is not linked to Rous-associated virus-2 related DNA sequences.

A male chicken heterozygous for a gene for sex-linked imperfect albinism (s(al)-c) was used to produce offspring in five dam families. The DNA from 23 offspring (22 females and 1 male) was cut with the restriction enzyme Sac1 and hybridized with a Rous-Associated Virus-2 probe to test for linkage between the gene and endogenous viral (ev) genes. In a second experiment, 15 albino and 15 nonalbino females resulting from 4 males mated to 11 females were studied with the enzymes Sac1 and BamHI. In the first experiment, 10 different ev genes were seen. These, plus seven additional bands were seen in the second experiment. The gene s(al)-c segregated independently of all ev genes, suggesting that it could be used for autosexing of chickens or in layer flocks without causing inherent problems previously associated with K, the gene for slow feathering, caused by essentially complete concordance between K and ev21.

Albinism↗