Effect of Spinal Cord Transection and Stimulation on Feather Release ,

Abstract

THAT the central nervous system is involved in feather release has been reported by King (1920), Weaver (1936) and Ostmann (1962). The autonomic nervous system also contributes to feather release (Langley, 1904; Ostmann et al., 1963). The results of administration of various classes of drugs on feather release also indicate that the nervous system is involved in this phenomenon (Sturkie et al., 1958; Klose et al., 1961, 1962; Knapp and Newell, 1961; Huston and May, 1961; Ostmann et al., 1963).The present experiment was undertaken to determine the effects of spinal transection and spinal stimulation on feather release. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURESpinal transections were performed in the thoracic or lumbar-sacral regions of birds which were lightly anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. Following anesthetization, the muscles over the spinal column were separated and the spinous process of the vertebra at the selected site clipped away. A bone drill was then used to reach…