Evidence for the presence of nasal salt glands in the roadrunner and the Coturnix quail.

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether or not the nasal glands of the roadrunner and the Coturnix quail show cytological specializations for salt secretion. In addition, the Na-K ATPase content of the quail gland was determined before and after drinking of saline solutions, in an effort to evaluate the functional status of the gland. The ability to maintain weight while drinking salt water was also measured as a general index of tolerance to saline conditions. The ultrastructure of the nasal glands of the roadrunner injected with salt and of quail drinking 200 mM NaCl was similar to that of salt glands in reptiles and the fresh-water acclimated duck. Numerous lateral cell evaginations and abundant mitochondria were present in the principal cell types. There was a significant increase in quail nasal gland Na-K ATPase when young birds were offered only saline solutions to drink. The ability of Coturnix quail to maintain weight while drinking saline solutions improves with age and at adulthood is comparable to that of some North American desert quail. Roadrunners were previously known to possess functional salt glands whereas quail were not. However the characteristic fine structure and the high Na-KATPase content of the quail nasal gland suggest that it is a salt gland.