Golden Pheasant Research Articles

Hemangiosarcoma in a Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus)

Abstract A 13-year-old male golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) was examined for a hemorrhagic mass on the leading edge of the right propatagial area of 1 day's duration. Physical examination revealed a scabbed mass that bled easily when manipulated. Hemorrhage and cellulitis were observed from 2 incisional biopsies. The mass was removed under general anesthesia, and histopathology demonstrated a hemangiosarcoma. Assays on white blood cells for avian leukosis/sarcoma viruses, Marek disease viral serotypes 1, 2, and 3, and reticuloendotheliosis virus were negative. The bird recovered uneventfully, but the tumor recurred within 10 days after removal. Upon clinical deterioration 3 months later, the bird was euthanized.

Research on lactic dehydrogenases (LDH) isoenzymes of four species in galliformes

Low-ion-density discontinuous polyacrylamide electrophoresis (pH 8.0) of LDH from different tissues of four species (Tetrastes bonasia, Chrysolophus pictus, Phasians colchicus, Gallus gallus domesticus) in Galliformes showed that this electrophoresis system was suitable for analysing avian LDH. Thermostability to heat and nonsusceptibility to urea inhibition of low-density urea of the four liver LDHs were in such order as LDH1> LDH2> LDH3> LDH4> LDH5. And it appeared, by comparing relative movable ratio of A and B subunits of LDHs, that difference exists between Phasianidae and Tetraonidae and in PhasianidaePhasianus was closer toChrysolophus than toGallus.

Host range of Rous sarcoma virus pseudotype RSV(HPRS-103) in 12 avian species: support for a new avian retrovirus envelope subgroup, designated J.

The host ranges of the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) pseudotype RSV(HPRS-103) of a novel avian leukosis virus (ALV), strain HPRS-103, and representative RSV pseudotypes of subgroups A to F, have been determined in embryo fibroblasts from 12 avian species. Domestic fowl, red jungle fowl, Sonnerat's jungle fowl and turkey were susceptible to infection by RSV(HPRS-103); ring-necked pheasant, Japanese green pheasant, golden pheasant, Japanese quail, guinea-fowl, Peking duck, Muscovy duck and goose were resistant. The host range pattern of RSV(HPRS-103) differs from those of viruses of subgroups A to G and I, and provides support for placing the HPRS-103 strain of ALV in a new envelope subgroup, designated J.

Isolation of Serotype 2 Marek's Disease Virus from Birds Belonging to Genus Gallus in Japan

Serotype 2 of Marek's disease virus (MDV) was isolated from apparently healthy birds belonging to genus Gallus that had no history of vaccination with MDV or herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT). Buffy-coat cells from these birds were inoculated onto chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cultures for primary isolation. Thirteen isolates from one golden pheasant and three white silky fowls, three black silky fowls, three Japanese long crowers, and three Japanese bantams produced herpes-like cytopathic effects (CPE) in the CEF cultures. Using serotype-specific monoclonal antibodies to MDV and HVT, 11 isolates were identified as serotype 2 MDV by indirect fluorescent antibody tests. The other two isolates were complicated with serotypes 1 and 3 of MDV-related viruses. Of 13 isolates, three cloned by the limiting-dilution method were further characterized as serotype 2 MDV biologically, genetically, and serologically. The results showed that the birds of the genus Gallus were naturally infected with serotype 2 MDV. This is the first report ever published about the distribution of serotype 2 MDV among healthy birds of the genus Gallus.

The amino acid sequences of Lady Amherest's pheasant (Chrysolophus amherstiae) and golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) egg-white lysozymes.

The amino acids of Lady Amherst's pheasant and golden pheasant egg-white lysozymes have been sequenced. The carboxymethylated lysozymes were digested with trypsin followed by sequencing of the tryptic peptides. Lady Amherst's pheasant lysozyme proved to consist of 129 amino acid residues, and a relative molecular mass of 14 423 Da was calculated. This lysozyme had 6 amino acids substitutions when compared with hen egg-white lysozyme: Phe3 to Tyr, HislS to Leu, Gln41 to His, Asn77 to His, Gin 121 to Asn, and a newly found substitution of Ile124 to Thr. The amino acid sequence of golden pheasant lysozyme was identical to that of Lady Amherst's phesant lysozyme. The phylogenetic tree constructured by the comparison of amino acid sequences of phasianoid birds lysozymes revealed a minimum genetic distance between these pheasants and the turkey-peafowl group.

An endogenous virus from lophortyx quail is the prototype for envelope subgroup I of avian retroviruses

The cells of most vertebrates contain retrovirus genomes integrated in their chromosomal DNA. These viral genes can be expressed, resulting in the production of viral proteins, and, if the endogenous viral information is complete, in the release of infectious endogenous retrovirus (Robinson, 1978; Rovigatti and Astrin, 1983; Weinberg, 1980; Coffin, 1982). All known endogenous retroviruses of chickens belong to the same envelope subgroup, E. The prototype of subgroup E is Rous-associated virus type 0 (RAV0), an infectious virus released spontaneously by normal line 7 chicken cells (Vogt and Friis, 1971). Avian leukosis virus recombinants between endogenous subgroup E envelope information and exogenous leukosis viruses are referred to collectively as RAV-60. Such recombinants usually replicate more efficiently than spontaneously released virus that consists entirely of endogenous viral genes (Hanafusa et ab, 1970). Endogenous viruses from other galliform species include ring-necked pheasant virus, an avian leukosis virus with subgroup F envelope specificity, and golden pheasant virus which carries a subgroup G envelope. Although the latter virus can undergo phenotypic mixing with chicken

Responses of the chukar partridge and pheasants to a novel object

Three species of Phasianidae, the chukar partridge ( Alectoris chukar), the ring-necked pheasant ( Phasianus colchicus) and the golden pheasant ( Chrysolophus pictus), were examined for responses to the introduction and presence of a novel object (a white tennis ball). The three species differed both qualitatively and quantitatively in their responses to the object. Approach and contact responses were greatest in A. chukar and least in C. pictus. When tested individually, males exhibited greater approach and contact responses than females, for all the species. Males in groups and females in groups showed greater responses to novelty than did individual males and individual females, respectively. Results from individual subject tests were interpreted as reflecting species-specific approach/avoidance behaviours. Group patterns of behaviour were interpreted as reflections of normal responses to novel situations in the birds' realm of experience with conspecifics. Captivity was thought to have enhanced attentiveness to novelty because of familiarity with the environment, the absence of predators, and the abundance of food.

The phylogenetic relationships of immunoglobulin allotypes and 7S immunoglobulin isotypes of chickens and other phasianoids (turkey, pheasant, quail).

Pheasants, quail and turkeys from different geographical locations were surveyed for the presence of eight 7S Ig and four IgM chicken allotypes. No IgM and only two 7S Ig allotypes were detected. Chicken 7S Ig allotypic specificity G-1.7 cross-reacted with pheasant and turkey isotypic specificities, and was absent in quail. The other determinant (G-1.9) cross-reacted with an allotype found only in turkeys and golden pheasants. These data suggest that G-1.7 and G-1.9 are probably phylogenetically ancient determinants and that polymorphism of chicken immunoglobulins arose after divergence of chickens from other phasianoid birds. Based on the allotypic and isotypic analysis of the 7S Ig antigenic determinants, turkey 7S Ig was as closely related to chicken 7S Ig as was pheasant 7S Ig. Jungle fowl, the ancestor of chickens, had most of the chicken 7S Ig and IgM allotypes present as polymorphic markers.

Comparative Studies on Physical and Chemical Property of Avian Eggs

Proportions of component parts, thickness and crushing strength of egg shells, and chemical compositions of eggs from ducks (Naki-a Japanese native breed, Khaki Campbell and Pekin), Muscovy ducks, chickens (Totenko-a Japanese native breed and Rhode Island Red), golden pheasant and silver pheasant were studied. Average egg weights of Naki, Khaki Campbell and Pekin ducks were 51g, 66g and 93g, respectively. Percentage of yolk weight of the total weight of duck eggs was 34-36% and no significant difference was found between 3 duck breeds studied. Average weight of Totenko and Rhode Island Red chicken eggs was 37g and 65g, and percentage of yolk weight of the total weight was 33% and 29%, respectively. Percentage of crude fat of the egg contents of Naki, Khaki Campbell and Pekin ducks was 14%, 16% and 13%, and that of Totenko and Rhode Island Red chickens was 13% and 11%, respectively. Decrease either in yolk percentage of the total weight or in fat percentage of the egg content with the increase of egg weight was observed in the chicken breeds, but not in the duck breeds. Percentage of egg shell of the total weight of Naki ducks and Totenko chickens was 11%, and that of Pekin and Khaki Campbell ducks and Rhode Island Red chickens was 9%. No significant difference was found in percentage of the egg contents in all the breeds of duck and chicken studied, being about 12%. Shell thickness of chicken eggs was 0.33mm and that of duck eggs was 0.34-0.36mm. Crushing strength of the shell of chicken and duck eggs was 2.5-2.8kg. In Muscovy ducks, percentage of crude protein of the egg contents (13%), percentage of shell weight of the total weight (11%), shell thickness (0.40mm) and shell strength (>4.6kg) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those in the 3 breeds of duck eggs studied. In the golden phesant, percentage of yolk weight of the total weight was 39%, being higher than that in duck and chicken eggs. In the silver pheasant, percentage of yolk weight of the total weight (39%), percentage of crude fat (16%) and crude ash (1.2%) of the egg contents were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those in duck and chicken eggs. Percentage of shell weight of the total weight (13%), shell thickness (0.42mm) and shell strength (4.8kg) of silver pheasant eggs were the highest scores in all the eggs of the other species studied.

Comparative Studies on Physical and Chemical Property of Avain Eggs

Horizontal polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoretograms of egg yolk proteins of Galliformes bird species: chicken, quail, golden pheasant and silver pheasant, Anseriformes bird species: duck and muscovy duck, and a Columbiformes bird species: pigeon were studied. A step gradient gel of 8, 4 and 10% acrylamide concentration was used. The egg yolk protein bands were separated into 10 electrophoretic zones (Nos. 1-10) in 10% gel.Different electrophoretic patterns were observed in the different bird species. In Galliformes and Anseriformes, zone No. 5 was the most dense bands and No. 6 was the second most dense bands. The electrophoretograms of the pigeon was much different from those of Galliformes and Anseriformes bird species.The zone Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 8 of chicken egg yolk, the protein polymorphisms were observed. Proteins of zone No. 8 were transferrins with 3 valiants which were controlled by 2 autosomal codominant alleles: TfB and TfC. The gene frequency of TfB and TfC was 0.844 and 0.156, respectively. Zone No. 3 had 3 valiants controlled by 2 autosomal codominant alleles: Pa-1A and Pa-1B. The gene frequency of Pa-1A and Pa-1B was 0.244 and 0.756, respectively. The protein polymorphisms in zone Nos. 1 and 2 were newly found in the present study. Zone No. 2 had 3 valiants controlled by a autosomal codominant alleles: Pa-2A and Pa-2B. The gene frequency of Pa-2A and Pa-2B was 0.412 and 0.588, respectively. Zone No. 1 had 3 valiants controlled by 2 autosomal codominant alleles: Pa-3A and Pa-3B. The gene frequency of Pa-3A and Pa-3B was 0.722 and 0.278, respectively.Protein polymorphisms were observed in zone Nos. 1, 2 and 8 in the quail yolk and in zone nos. 1 and 2 in the duck yolk.

Env Gene of Chicken RNA Tumor Viruses: Extent of Conservation in Cellular and Viral Genomes

The env gene of avian sarcoma-leukosis viruses codes for envelope glycoproteins that determine viral host range, antigenic specificity, and interference patterns. We used molecular hybridization to analyze the natural distribution and possible origins of the nucleotide sequences that encode env; our work exploited the availability of radioactive DNA (cDNA(gp)) complementary to most or all of env. env sequences were detectable in the DNAs of chickens which synthesized an env gene product (chick helper factor positive) encoded by an endogenous viral gene and also in the DNAs of chickens which synthesized little or no env gene product (chick helper factor negative). env sequences were not detectable in DNAs from Japanese quail, ring-necked pheasant, golden pheasant, duck, squab, salmon sperm, or calf thymus. The detection of sequences closely related to viral env only in chicken DNA contrasts sharply with the demonstration that the transforming gene (src) of avian sarcoma viruses has readily detectable homologues in the DNAs of all avian species tested [D. Stehelin, H. E. Varmus, J. M. Bishop, and P. K. Vogt, Nature (London) 260: 170-173, 1976] and in the DNAs of other vertebrates (D. Spector, personal communication). Thermal denaturation studies on duplexes formed between cDNA(gp) and chicken DNA and also between cDNA(gp) and RNAs of subgroup A to E viruses derived from chickens indicated that these duplexes were well matched. In contrast, cDNA(gp) did not form stable hybrids with RNAs of viruses which were isolated from ring-necked and golden pheasants. We conclude that substantial portions of nucleotide sequences within the env genes of viruses of subgroups A to E are closely related and that these genes probably have a common, perhaps cellular, evolutionary origin.

Genetic analysis of the defectiveness in strain MC29 avian leukosis virus

Avian myelocytomatosis virus MC29 is defective in replication. The extent of this defectiveness was analyzed in complementation experiments. Continuous nonproducer quail cell lines transformed by MC29 were superinfected with different helper viruses. Infectious MC29 pseudotypes were formed only with helper viruses which belonged to the avian leukosis-sarcoma virus complex, e.g., Rous-associated virus type 1 (RAV-1) or ring-necked pheasant virus (RPV). Helper viruses of other retroviral species, such as reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV), golden pheasant virus (GPV), or an amphotrophic murine leukemia virus (MuLV-1313), could not rescue MC29 from these nonproducer cells but complemented the envelope-defective Bryan high titer strain of Rous sarcoma virus. Host range and interference patterns of MC29 rescued from nonproducer cells indicated that the envelope specificity of the pseudotypes was determined exclusively by the activating helper virus. Cocultivation or Sendai virus-induced fusion of MC29 nonproducer cells with quail or chicken cells transformed by the defective Bryan high titer strain of Rous sarcoma virus did not result in complementation of the defects in either of the two viruses. Fluorescent antibody staining failed to detect virus-specific antigens at the surface of MC29 nonproducer cells. Temperature-sensitive mutants of Rous sarcoma virus with lesions in the genes coding for the RNA-directed DNA polymerase ( pol gene) or the nonglycosylated structural proteins ( gag gene) did not acquire wild-type characteristics when grown in MC29 nonproducer cells. It is concluded that MC29 is defective in all three genes essential for the replication of retroviruses, namely, env, pol, and gag.

A very sensitive biochemical assay for detecting and quantitating avian oncornaviruses

A biochemical assay, only slightly less sensitive than currently used biological assays was developed to detect and quantitate avian oncornaviruses. Using this assay, which is based on the unusual stability of most avian oncornavirus RNA-dependent DNA polymerases at 30°, we were able to quantitate, with an error of ±10%, as few as 1000 Rous sarcoma or Rous-associated virions directly in tissue culture medium. Lower limits of detection for golden pheasant virus and reticuloendotheliosis virus were 3 × 10 4 and 3 × 10 6 virions, respectively. Assay results varied less than fivefold when different strains or subgroups of Rous sarcoma or Rous-associated viruses, having virion-to-infectivity ratios of 7 to 1000, were tested.

Characterization of dna complementary to nucleotide sequences at the 5′-terminus of the avian sarcoma virus genome

The 5′-end of the genome of avian sarcoma virus (ASV) contains a sequence of nucleotides which is the initial template for transcription by RNA-directed DNA polymerase. We have prepared DNA complementary to this sequence (cDNA 5,) and have characterized the sequence by chemical analysis and molecular hybridization. The length of cDNA 5, (00 nucleotides) provides an estimate of the distance from the primer for DNA synthesis (tRNAtrp) to the 5′-terminus of the genome. As reported previously by other investigators, transcription of DNA from the genome of ASV in vitro can be arrested at preferred sites short of the 5′-terminus by reduction in the concentration of either dCTP or dGTP. The nucleotide sequence complementary to cDNA 5, is similar but not identical in the genomes of two strains of ASV, and homologous sequences are present in the genomes of other avian leukosis-sarcoma viruses. By contrast, we find little or no complementarity between cDNA 5, and the genomes of golden pheasant virus (subgroup G of avian leukosis-sarcoma virus), Moloney murine leukemia virus, and Moloney murine sarcoma virus. This pattern of homologies mirrors that found at the 3′termini of RNA tumor virus genomes. A nucleotide sequence complementary to most or all of cDNA 5, occurs within the 3′-half, but not at the 3′-terminus, of the ASV genome; we suggest that this sequence may be a ribosome-binding site. cDNA 5, constitutes the bulk (usually greater than 75%) of DNA synthesized under conventional conditions with detergent-activated virions. Consequently, the use of this DNA to analyze homologies among retrovirus genomes is of limited value.

Characterization of dna complementary to nucleotide sequences adjacent to poly(A) at the 3′-terminus of the avian sarcoma virus genome

We have prepared DNA complementary to a sequence of 300–400 nucleotides adjacent to the poly(A) at the 3′-terminus of the genome of avian sarcoma virus (ASV) DNA was transcribed from denatured ASV RNA following initiation on the primer (dT) 12–18. We demonstrated that homopolymer synthesis was not a significant feature of our enzymatic reaction, and we proved that most if not all the initiations on (dT) 12–18 occurred at or near the 3'-terminus of the viral RNA. The presence of oligo(dT) on cDNA 3, accelerates hybridization between cDNA 3, and polyadenylated viral RNA; this artifact can be eliminated by including a competing homopolymer [poly(dT) or poly(A)l in the reaction mixtures. Nucleotide sequences complementary to cDNA 3, occur only once or twice in the genome of avian sarcoma viruses, are present in the genomes of virus strains from subgroups A, B, C, D, E, and F of avian leukosis-sarcoma viruses, and are conserved even when large deletions affect an adjacent viral gene ( src) By contrast, we find little or no complementarity between cDNA 3, and the genomes of golden pheasant virus (subgroup G of avian leukosis-sarcoma viruses), mouse mammary tumor virus, and the Moloney strains of murine sarcoma virus and murine leukemia virus. cDNA 3, can be used to identify the 3′-terminus of the avian sarcoma virus genome by molecular hybridization and will therefore be a useful reagent for the analysis of viral replication.

Endogenous leukosis viruses in the avian family phasianidae

Helper virus. activity for the defective Bryan high titer strain of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) has been found in normal embryo fibroblast cultures of Ghighi, green, Mongolian, silver, and Swinhoe pheasants, and of Chinese quail and chukar. The helper viruses from Chinese quail and from Swinhoe pheasant were isolated from their respective RSV pseudotypes. Chinese quail, Ghighi, and golden pheasant cultures were also found to synthesize endogenous virus spontaneously. No such spontaneous production was seen with the other avian species investigated. The helper activity demonstrated in Chinese quail, chukar, Mongolian pheasant, and Swinhoe pheasant appears to specify envelope determinants which are different from those previously described. Viruses from Ghighi and silver pheasant have the G envelope, and those from green pheasant the F envelope specificity. The RSV pseudotype formed with Chinese quail virus shows a high plating efficiency on fibroblasts from mouse and European field vole. Chinese quail virus and Swinhoe pheasant virus also form plaques in chicken cells. Whether these pheasant viruses belong to established avian oncovirus groups, or whether they represent new ones, will have to be decided by immunological and biochemical studies now in progress.

Serum proteins of the golden pheasant Chrysolophus pictus

1. 1. Gel filtration separated the proteins of the serum of the golden pheasant, Chrysolophus pictus, into macroglobulins, globulins, and albumins. 2. 2. The albumins had a higher proportion of tyrosine to total aromatic amino acids than the globulins and the macroglobulins. 3. 3. Following immunization with bovine serum albumin or with diazophenyl lactoside porcine gamma globulin, the golden pheasant elicited antigen binding, precipitating, and haemagglutinating antibodies. 4. 4. The antibodies were located in both the macroglobulins and the globulins serum fractions.

RNA tumor viruses of pheasants: Characterization of avian leukosis subgroups F and G

Endogenous leukosis-like viruses of ring-necked pheasants ( Phasianus colchicus) and golden pheasants ( Chrysolophus pictus) have been isolated and characterized. The majority of the normal pheasant embryo cultures contain helper activity for the defective Bryan high titer strain of Rous sarcoma virus. The Rous sarcoma pseudotypes produced with endogenous helper activity from ring-necked pheasants belong to subgroup F. The pseudotypes from golden pheasant cells constitute subgroup G. Subgroup F and G pseudotypes can infect all known genetic types of chicken fibroblasts as well as pheasant and Japanese quail cells, but do not plate on goose cells. Duck cells are resistant to subgroup G but not to F. The subgroup F and G helper viruses isolated from Rous sarcoma viral pseudotypes show interference with their homologous subgroup. RAV-61, a standard of subgroup F, interferes with pseudotypes produced with endogenous helper activity from ring-necked pheasant cells but not with subgroup G pseudotypes. Subgroups F and G do not cross-react with subgroup A to E in neutralization tests. Some normal ring-necked pheasant sera have anti-F activity. Subgroup F and probably also G leukosis-like viruses can undergo genetic recombination with nondefective avian sarcoma viruses.

Parasitic neoplasia in the golden pheasant.

A neoplastic process considered to be a leiomyoma was seen in the cecal wall of three golden pheasants (Chrysolophus pictus). In each neoplasm, remnants of Heterakis sp. were present. This parasite caused inflammation which developed into the tumor. The reaction was unusual as Aves ordinarily react to focal intestinal insult by granuloma formation.

Hybrids of golden pheasant Chrysolophus pictus L. and domestic fowl G. Gallus var. domesticus Brisson

This experiment was an attempt to cross golden pheasant and domestic fowl(Japanese bantam).Chicken semen of white Japanese bantam was inseminated into golden pheasant hen. Two hybrids hatched from 23 eggs set usually on the 21.5 day of incubation. Down color of the hybrids was white. Two hybrids lived to adult. Plumage color of one hybrid was bar of blue on white ground and other was spot of dark brown on white ground.Golden pheasant semen was inseminated into brown Japanese bantam hens. One hybrid hatched from 60 eggs set usually on the 21.5 day of incubation. Down color of the hybrid was soft brown. Hybrid lived to adult. Plumage was spot of dark brown on yellow color ground.