Oviduct Magnum Research Articles

The mucopolysaccharides of avian oviduct, egg, skin, and comb, and of porcine skin.

Samples of the following tissues were hydrolyzed by pepsin and by trypsin: magnum, isthmus, shell glands, and vagina of avian oviduct; avian and porcine skins; avian egg; avian comb. Unhydrolyzed mucopolysaccharides were precipitated by ethanol, purified, and then fractionated by increasing concentrations of ethanol. The purity of the enzymic preparation influenced the yields and degree of purification of the mucopolysaccharide fractions but scarcely affected the composition of the mucopolysaccharides in the fractions. In general, mucopolysaccharides from skins, comb, and shell glands had relatively low ratios of sugars to hexuronic acid whereas those from magnum, isthmus, and egg had relatively high ratios. The higher the hexuronic acid content of a mucopolysaccharide, the higher was the yield of mucopolysaccharide. Fractions precipitated by lower ethanol concentrations had lower ratios of sugars to hexuronic acid than those precipitated at higher ethanol concentrations.

Formation of albumen precursors by the hen's oviduct.

The composition of the oviduct magnum (albumen-forming segment) was determined before and after albumen deposition, and in nonovulating hens. The quantity and composition of material accumulated in the magnum after albumen deposition, but with and without subsequent ovulation, indicate that albumen precursors are formed in at least two steps. A large part, perhaps 45%, of the albumen deposited by the magnum appears to be synthesized and transferred at the time of deposition.

Effect of local x-irradiation on albumen formation by the hen's oviduct.

X-irradiation of the surgically exposed oviduct of the hen reduces the formation of albumen dry matter (which is composed essentially of protein). Over a dosage range of 0–4000 r, the irradiation effect is logarithmically related to the dose, with the albumen (dry basis) formation being reduced 40% at 4000 r. At higher doses (5000 r) irreversible changes apparently take place, since very few birds so treated return to egg production. Radioinhibition of albumen formation requires direct irradiation of the oviduct magnum tissue and, once established, appears to be more or less permanent. The functional status of the magnum tissue, relative to albumen secretion, at the time of irradiation does not appear to influence the result.