Mature Pigeons Research Articles

Impact of Collared Dove Pigeons (Streptopelia decaocto) Age on some Hematological and Biochemical Parameters in Mosul City

The study conducted to determine the effect of differences of age on hematological and biochemical values of collared dove pigeons (Streptopelia decaocto) in Mosul city, Iraq. 28 healthy collared dove of 4 different age groups (7 birds of each group) 1 month, 3month, 6 months old as immature and 12 months old as mature pigeons were collected from local areas of Mosul city during May to August 2018. Total red blood cells (TES), packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), differential of white blood cells, serum total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid and glucose were determined. The results showed fluctuations in parameters with different age groups. Mature birds had a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in PCV, Hb, Basophils, Monocytes, Lymphocytes, total protein and uric acid compared to immature birds. In the mature birds, there was a decrease in both heterophils, H / L ratio, total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose when compared to immature birds. The conclusion from this study there is differences in blood parameters in collared dove pigeons according to the age advanced.

Molecular cloning and characterization of pigeon (Columba liva) ubiquitin and ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme genes from pituitary gland library

In the study of the regulation of incubation, broodiness and laying performance in pigeons (Columba liva), a cDNA library, which was enriched with full-length brooding-related genes, was constructed by SMART LD-PCR techniques using the pituitary glands of incubating White King pigeons. The titers of optimal primary libraries were 1.54x10(6) pfu/mL and 1.80x10(6) pfu/mL and the titers of amplified libraries were 1.89x10(8) pfu/mL and 2.32x10(9 )pfu/mL. The percentages of recombinant clones of primary libraries and amplified libraries were all over 90%. A positive clone was sequenced and named ubiquitin based on the highly similar from other species. The fragment has the four initial codons of ATG, a termination codon of TAA and a signal sequence of AATAAA for adding the poly-A tail. The open reading frame of 918bp encodes 305 amino acids (NCBI accession number is EU981283). Recombinant pigeon ubiquitin protein was efficiently expressed with the form of insoluble inclusion bodies in E. coli BL21 transformed with a pET28a(+) expression vector containing the DNA sequence encoding mature pigeon ubiquitin. The molecular weight of expressed protein is the same as predicted size of approximately 35kD. To improve the efficiency of cloning full-length cDNA, strategies of RACE combined with cDNA library were used. The length of pigeons ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme gene obtained was 1263 bp containing a complete open reading frame of 435 bp that encodes 144 aa (NCBI accession number is EU914824). The results of this study not only provide a starting point for further study of ubiquitin function in pigeon species, but also provide a starting point for investigating the brooding mechanisms of pigeons.

Comparison of intraosseous and intramuscular drug administration for induction of anaesthesia in domestic pigeons

The aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility of intraosseous anaesthetic drug administration in domestic pigeons and to compare this method with an intramuscular technique for clinical parameters (induction quality and recovery of anaesthesia), heart-respiratory rate and cloacal temperature. Sixteen clinically healthy mature pigeons (7 male and 9 female) were included into the study. The birds were allocated into two groups as group I and II. Pigeons in group I received 50 mg/kg ketamine by intraosseous route (IO) and birds in group II received intramuscular (IM) ketamine application at a dose of 50 mg/kg. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and cloacal temperature (CT) were measured before (0 min) and 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min after anaesthetic drug administration. Clinical and anaesthetic effect of the ketamine used in different route were assessed. Statistical assessment performed between the groups revealed that RR in IM group was higher than in IO group between 1 and 3 min ( p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively), whereas in 15 min it was higher in IO group than IM ( p < 0.01) ( Fig. 1A). Compared to baseline values, there was a decrease for HR within 3 to 15 min for both groups. However, this was statistically different between 5, 10 and 15 min for IM group. No significant alterations were recorded for CT during the anaesthesia for both groups. The anaesthetic effect of the ketamine started 1 to 3 min (1.8 ± 0.4) after injection for Group I and 5 to 10 min (7.5 ± 0.8) for Group II. The recovery time ranged from 50 to 75 min (62 ± 15) for Group I and 80 to 100 min (90 ± 12) for the Group II. Intraosseous and intramuscular ketamine administration resulted in a satisfactory anaesthesia in pigeons. However, intraosseous drug administration provided a more rapid and effective anaesthesia and might be useful for the birds requiring urgent anaesthesia.

Foraging behaviour of Helicoverpa armigera first instar larvae on crop plants of different developmental stages

Abstract: Understanding how insect pests forage on their food plants can help optimize management strategies. Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lep., Noctuidae) is a major polyphagous pest of agricultural crops worldwide. The immature stages feed and forage on crops at all stages of plant development, damaging fruiting and non‐fruiting structures, yet very little is known about the influence of host type or stage on the location and behaviour of larvae. Through semi‐continuous observation, we evaluated the foraging (movement and feeding) behaviours of H. armigera first instar larvae as well as the proportion of time spent at key locations on mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] and pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh] of differing developmental stages: seedling‐ and mature (flowering/pod fill)‐stage plants. Both host type and age affected the behaviour of larvae. Larvae spent more time in the upper parts of mature plants than on seedlings and tended to stay at the top of mature plants if they moved there. This difference was greater in pigeon pea than in mungbean. The proportion of time allocated to feeding on different parts of a plant differed with host and age. More feeding occurred in the top of mature pigeon pea plants but did not differ between mature and seedling mungbean plants. The duration of key behaviours did not differ between plant ages in either crop type and was similar between hosts although resting bouts were substantially longer on mungbeans. Thus a polyphagous species such as H. armigera does not forage in equivalent ways on different hosts in the first instar stage.

Persistent expression of developmental myosin heavy chain isoforms in the tapered ends of adult pigeon pectoralis muscle fibres.

We have shown previously that in addition to the adult myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoform present throughout the length of each fast-twitch glycolytic muscle fibre within the pectoralis of the mature chicken, the neonatal isoform is retained in the tapered ends of these fibres. This work, however, has been the only published report of this phenomenon. Here, we tested the hypothesis that similar to the chicken, the ends of mature pigeon pectoralis muscle fibres contain developmental MyHC isoform(s). A histological stain was used to visualize endomysium to assist in the analysis of transverse sections of pectoralis muscle from four mature pigeons. Immunocytochemical techniques were used to localize MyHC isoform(s) characteristic of pigeon pectoralis development. We show that within mature pigeon pectoralis, the ends of both fast-twitch glycolytic and fast-twitch oxidative-glycolytic fibre types express MyHC isoform(s) characteristic of their earlier development. Thus, we extend our findings on chicken to another species and an additional muscle fibre type. Retention of developmental MyHC isoform(s) within the tapered ends of mature muscle fibres may be more widespread than is currently appreciated.

Histomorphometric and angiographic analysis of the humerus in pigeons

Abstract Objective To identify the vascular supply and resorption/formation activity of the humerus of pigeons. Design Pigeons were injected with the fluorochrome label oxytetracycline and, 5 days later, with the label calcein. 5 days after administration of the second fluorochrome, a wing from each bird was infused with a microparticle barium solution immediately after euthanasia and the chosen humerus was prepared for angiography while the opposite was prepared for histomorphometry. Animals 17 nine-month-old pigeons, consisting of 9 male and 8 female birds. Procedure At euthanasia, 1 wing was chosen for infusion and the barium solution was injected through a catheter in the brachiocephalic artery. Both humeruses were harvested. The infused humerus was decalcified, radiographed, and sectioned for H&amp;E staining. The opposite humerus was sectioned and measured by use of a morphometric analyzing system to determine cross-sectional area, endosteal and periosteal perimeter, and percentage of perimeter containing a single and/or double label. Results All pigeons had an intramedullary arterial supply. The bones had a quiescent appearance histologically, consisting principally of lamellar bone with few osteospecialized cells, resorption surfaces, or osteons. Less than 10% of either the periosteal or endosteal surface acquired a fluorochrome label. Conclusions The intramedullary vascular supply of the humerus is similar in structure to the vascular supply to mammalian bones. The humerus is, however, a quiescent bone in the sexually mature pigeon, with little remodeling activity present. Clinical Relevance The intramedullary blood supply may have an important role in the healing of humeral fractures in avian species. (Am J Vet Res 1996;57:982–986)

The collar plexus of subcutaneous thermoregulatory veins in the pigeon, Columba livia; its association with esophageal pulsation and gular flutter

Heat stressed pigeons dissipate heat by panting and gular flutter which is associated with upper esophageal pulsation; these activities depend on evaporative cooling and convection from mucosal surfaces. The collar plexus, an unusual subcutaneous system of erectile veins, is the specialized vascular apparatus that seems to serve as the heat exchanger for gular flutter and upper esophageal pulsation. The collar plexus lies between the dermis and a deeper muscle sheet, extending from the head to the thoracic inlet in mature pigeons. The slightly filled plexus is inconspicuous, resembling an ordinary venous bed, and consists of thick-walled veins having small lumina, similar to arteries. When moderately-filled, the veins of the plexus distend and abruptly transform into “beaded” veins with contorted, sacculated expansions separated by constricted segments.

Pigeon herpes infection: Natural transmission of the disease

Studies on the persistence and transmission of pigeon herpesvirus ( Pigeon Herpesvirus 1, PHV) in a dovecot containing pigeons which were naturally infected more than a year previously are reported. Three out of 10 mature pigeons were still shedding virus. They transmitted it to their offspring during the first days of life. Egg transmission of the disease seems unlikely since PHV could not be unmasked in cell cultures of embryos of contaminated pigeons. All mature pigeons possessed neutralizing antibodies. Parental passive immunity seems to be conferred on the squabs through the egg yolk and protects from the worst effects of infection. Seven of 10 squabs were asymptomatic carriers of the infectious agent after weani g although they were all devoid of detectable antibodies.

Existence of Differences in Represser Properties between Serine-Rich Histones (H5, F2c) from Immature and Mature Pigeon Erythroid Cells

The abilities of H1 and H5 histones from immature and mature pigeon erythroid cells and subfractions of H5 histones with different content of alkali-labile phosphorus to restrict RNA synthesis were compared in an in vitro transcription system with bacterial RNA polymerase. It has been found that: a) H1 histones from both sources exhibit similar efficiency. b) H5 histones from immature cells restrict transcription to a lesser extent than the same histone from the mature erythrocyte. c) The subfraction of H5 histone from immature cells with the higher content of alkali-labile phosphorus restrict transcription less than the subfraction with the lower degree of phosphorylation. The results suggest that H5 histone, which first appears in the erythroblasts in a highly phosphorylated form, does not display its potential 'repressor' properties. During erythrocyte maturation H5 histone is dephosphorylated and this causes the massive inactivation of erythrocyte genome.

Prolactin Binding Activity in the Crop Sacs of Juvenile, Mature, Parent and Prolactin-Injected Pigeons

Specific prolactin (PRL) binding activity of lactoperoxidase catalyzed 125I-labeled ovine-PRL was determined in a membrane-rich particulate fraction of pigeon crop sacs. Levels of TSH, LH or FSH as high as 1000 ng each were unable to displace the 125I-o-PRL bound to 600 mug of crop sac microsomal protein, whereas competitive displacement was achieved with as little as 0.5 ng unlabeled PRL. Ovine GH exhibited some cross reactivity when incubated in amounts greater than 500 ng, but this could be accounted for by its stated PRL contamination. Specific PRL binding activities were determined in juvenile and mature pigeons with unstimulated crop sacs, and parent pigeons with 'crop milk' and mature birds injected with PRL for 4 days. Crop sacs from juvenile birds contained approximately twice as much binding activity as crop sacs from mature pigeons. Parent and PRL injected pigeons, each with proliferated crop sac epithelium, exhibited 4-5 times as much specific PRL binding as the non-proliferated crops from juvenile or mature birds. These results show that the pigeon crop sac contains specific binding sites for PRL, and that the crop sac response to PRL is associated with an increase in PRL binding activity.

Spectrum of Infectivity and Transmission of the T-Virus

SUMMARY Two-day-old chickens, quail, ducklings, goslings, turkeys, pheasants, and guinea keets were susceptible to the T-virus by intraperitoneal injection. Mature quail also succumbed though mature pigeons were refractory. Lesions and proliferating cell types were similar in all species, and the proliferating cells remained embryonic and undifferentiated. In the rats, mice, and hamsters, there was no evidence of infection with the virus. The disease was not transmitted vertically in quail or horizontally via contact in 2-day-old chickens.

Fatty Acid Changes in Liver Fractions of Pigeons After Lethal-Dose Radiation and Therapy

INTRODUCTIONIN A previous study (Chung et al., 1966) delayed heterologous bone marrow and thymus transplantation resulted in decreased stearic acid content and increased palmitic, oleic, linoleic, and arachidonic acid content in liver tissues of pigeons. Irradiation has been known to decrease palmitic acid and to decrease polyunsaturated fatty acids (Hansen et al., 1965; Notario et al., 1965).To further explain these fatty acid changes we attempted to study the fatty acid changes in the liver lipid fractions of pigeons after lethal-dose radiation and delayed heterologous bone marrow, thymus, and spleen transplantation.MATERIALS AND METHODSNon-inbred sexually mature pigeons, 6–10 months of age, and descendants from the White King colony were purchased commercially. Each bird was exposed to 2,500 rads total-body roentgen irradiation with a cobalt-60 radiation source at the Oak Ridge Associated Universities Medical Center. Dose response curves were established previously (Shaw and Vermund, 1961) and showed that .

Use of goose cells in haemagglutination tests with arthropod-borne viruses.

HAEMAGGLUTINATION studies with arthropod-borne viruses are normally carried out using red blood cells from one-day-old chicks, although cells from mature pigeons have been used in the case of Murray Valley encephalitis virus1. An observation made in the West African Council for Medical Research Laboratories in Lagos that cells from mature ducks were agglutinated by a yellow fever antigen led to a study of readily available domestic birds. Cells from Muscovy ducks (Cairina maschatai), from a local (Badagri) variety of the domestic duck (Anas boscas) and from Chinese geese (Cygnopsis cygnoides) were compared with cells from one-day-old chicks against yellow fever, Uganda S, Zika and West Nile antigens. Goose cells gave titres which were at least as high as those obtained with chick cells, and usually higher, and the settling patterns were consistently sharp and easy to read. Duck cells, although agglutinated, gave lower titres and showed a tendency to spontaneous agglutination in controls. Goose cells were thereafter used as a routine in the Lagos laboratory, and experience over more than a year has shown them to be highly satisfactory in haemagglutination and haemagglutination-inhibition tests with the antigens already mentioned, and in addition with antigens prepared against Semliki forest, Ilheus and the Trinidad 1751 strain of dengue virus. Details of this work will be published elsewhere.

Gonadotropic Hormones of the Hypophysis of the Turkey.

Relatively little work has been done in the past on the hypophysis of birds. Benoit1 obtained evidence for the presence of gonadotropic hormones in hypophyses of sexually active ducks but not in those of inactive ones. Similarly Riddle and Schooley2 found no effects from implanted hypophyses of pigeons less than 1.8 months old, while those of mature pigeons gave definite indication of the presence of some gonad stimulating principle. Since birds develop no true corpora lutea and differ also otherwise in their physiology of reproduction markedly from mammals, it seemed desirable to make a more complete, qualitative and quantitative analysis of their gonadotropic hormones.Through the courtesy of Mr. A. C. Gingerich, we were permitted to collect about 6000 hypophyses at the packing plant of the Maplecrest Turkey Farms at Wellman, Iowa. The glands were taken from birds about 6 months old, the hens weighing around 10 and the gobblers around 18 pounds. The fresh glands weigh about 13 mg. and 25 mg. respectively...