Oviduct Of Birds Research Articles

Avian Physiology: Are Birds Simply Feathered Mammals?

There are marked differences between the physiology of birds and mammals. These reflect the evolutionary distance between the two classes with the last common ancestor estimated as existing 318 million years ago. There are analogous organ systems in birds and mammals. However, marked differences exist. For instance, in the avian gastro-intestinal tract, there is a crop at the lower end of the esophagus. This functions both to store feed and for microbial action. The avian immune system lacks lymph nodes and has a distinct organ producing B-lymphocytes, namely the bursa Fabricius. The important of spleen has been largely dismissed until recently. However, its importance in both innate and specific immunity is increasingly recognized. There is a major difference between birds and mammals is the female reproductive system as birds produce large yolk filled eggs. The precursors of the yolk are synthesized by the liver. Another difference is that there is a single ovary and oviduct in birds.

Evaluation of the presence of avian influenza receptors in oviducts of forced moulting birds using immunofluorescence

During the 2012 highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Mexico caused by the H7N3 subtype, infection led to the death of approximately 22 million laying hens. Thus, poultry farmers were faced with a challenge to ensure the continued commercial flow of eggs. In addition to implementing established sanitary protocols and vaccination programs, forced moulting management was utilized in the affected areas. This strategy guaranteed the maintenance of egg production in the quarantined areas by decreasing the mortality of the infected flock while re-stimulating egg production. To understand how forced moulting reduced mortality of the infected birds, we examined the distribution of the avian influenza receptor in the oviduct of hens subjected to forced moulting. We tested if changes in the reproductive tract caused by forced moulting generated a decrease in the expression of the specific virus receptor in the cell membranes. Host susceptibility to the influenza virus was determined by the presence of these specific receptors. We utilized immunofluorescence of the Maackia amurensis lectin to identify the presence of the virus receptor in histological sections of the oviducts of birds in egg production and birds undergoing forced moulting. The results showed the presence and distribution of the receptors for avian influenza. A strong signal of the receptor was observed in the histological sections of the oviducts of birds in egg production. Conversely, the signal was low in the oviducts of birds undergoing forced moulting. These results demonstrate a decrease in the number of receptors of birds subjected to forced moulting. A lack of receptors would affect virus infection and replication as well as virus-induced damage in the oviduct, which may help explain the observation in the field that birds infected with avian influenza and subjected to forced moulting have decreased mortality.A. Abundant amount of influenza-like receptors, labelled with apple-green fluorescence, on the apical region of the ciliated cylindrical pseudostratifiedepithelium of the uterine region of healthy hens in production. Bar: 100 μm.

The expression of p63 and Ck HMW in magnum and infundibulum of Gallus domesticus oviduct.

The potential for proliferation and differentiation has a critical meaning in terms of the long-term in vitro culture of oviductal target cells. Therefore, it is important to characterize the oviduct epithelial cells, using approved markers. There is scarce data describing the epithelial cells lining the avian oviduct, most of it referring only to the magnum section of the oviduct. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of both magnum and infundibulum tissues, as the most preferred sources of epithelial cells for research on production of recombinant proteins in oviducts of birds. The main objective was to evaluate the expression of p63 and high molecular weight cytokeratins (anti- p63 antibody and anti- High Molecular Weight Cytokeratins) in epithelial cells (EC) of 2 oviduct sections: magnum (proximal and middle) and infundibulum (distal). IHC analysis and western blotting were performed using the mouse monoclonal anti- p63 antibody and anti-Ck HMW. Immunoreactivity was quantified based on the Remmele - Stegner scoring system (0-12). The expression of p63 in nuclei of luminal cells was significantly higher in the infundibulum (P < 0.05), compared to the magnum section. Cytokeratins were also highly expressed in the infundibulum, but the difference was non-significant. These findings reveal new characteristics of the oviduct EC and designate the location of the source of cells in the oviduct tissue for in vitro culture.

Período de permanência de espermatozoides em glândulas hospedeiras de espermatozoides e glândulas infundibulares em codorna de corte

Para determinar o tempo de permanência de espermatozoides nas glândulas hospedeiras de espermatozoides (GHEs) e nas glândulas infundibulares (GIs) de codorna de corte (Coturnix coturnix coturnix), foram utilizados 12 machos e 66 fêmeas, totalizando 78 codornas em fase reprodutiva. As fêmeas foram distribuídas em 11 grupos e acasaladas por 24 horas em gaiolas individuais. Os machos, utilizados de modo intercalado, foram separados do contato com as fêmeas e colocados em descanso. As aves do grupo-controle (G0 - seis fêmeas) foram abatidas no início do experimento, enquanto as 60 fêmeas acasaladas foram distribuídas em 10 grupos (G1 a G10, com seis fêmeas cada) e abatidas a cada período de 24 horas, de forma sequencial. Fragmentos foram obtidos da região uterovaginal e do infundíbulo e submetidos às análises histológica, histoquímica e histométrica com técnicas de rotina. Os resultados morfométricos mostraram que 46% das GHEs continham espermatozoides em seu lume no primeiro dia após o acasalamento, diminuindo gradativamente nos dias posteriores chegando a 3% no quinto dia. Nesse período, os espermatozoides ascendem em direção às GIs, onde permanecem viáveis e férteis por, pelo menos, 96 horas após deixarem as GHEs, possibilitando a postura de ovos férteis por 10 dias, em média, após o acasalamento.

Influence of supplemental dietary poultry fat on the digestive and reproductive organ characteristics of commercial layers inoculated before or at the onset of lay with F-strainMycoplasma gallisepticum

Effects of F-strain Mycoplasma gallisepticum (FMG) inoculation and 1.5% supplemental dietary poultry fat (PF) on the digestive and reproductive organ characteristics of commercial layers at 58 wk of age were investigated. Sham and FMG inoculations were administered at 12 (before lay) and 22 (early in lay) wk of age, and dietary treatments (basal control diets and basal control diets with PF) were initiated at 20 wk of age. Supplemental PF increased BW and decreased isthmal length relative to total oviduct length in hens. Various oviduct segments were also affected by the type and age of inoculation, and these effects were further influenced by the use of PF. In comparison to their time-specific sham-inoculated controls, infundibulum weight relative to BW was increased when birds were inoculated with FMG at 22 wk, whereas isthmus weight relative to total oviduct weight was increased by FMG inoculation at 12 wk of age. However, PF affected infundibulum length relative to total oviduct length only in sham-inoculated birds, and PF increased magnum weight relative to total oviduct weight only in birds inoculated at 22 wk of age (sham or FMG). Furthermore, PF decreased isthmus weight relative to total oviduct weight only in birds that were sham-inoculated (12 or 22 wk). In conclusion, the inoculation of FMG at 12 or 22 wk may increase the relative contributions of the isthmus and infundibulum, respectively, to the total mass of the oviduct. In addition, PF may decrease the relative length of the isthmus and increase the relative weight of the magnum in the oviducts of birds that have been inoculated at 22 wk of age (sham or FMG). Previous studies have shown 1.5% supplemental dietary PF to influence feed consumption throughout lay and performance early in lay in hens that were inoculated with FMG at 12 wk of age. However, the current results suggest that these influences are associated with gross changes in the oviduct but not the digestive tract of layers.

Induction of eggshell apex abnormalities by Mycoplasma synoviae: field and experimental studies

A novel eggshell pathology, characterized by an altered shell surface, thinning, increased translucency, and cracks and breaks in the eggshell apex, has become increasingly common in layer flocks of various breeds in The Netherlands. Two field studies found an association between the eggshell apex abnormalities (EAA) and infection with Mycoplasma synoviae. M. synoviae was isolated from the oviduct of birds that produced abnormal eggs, but not from birds in control flocks, although both affected and control birds had agglutinating antibodies against M. synoviae. After a single injection with long-acting oxytetracycline, the production of abnormal eggs ceased, but then reoccurred about 12 days later. A causal relationship between EAA and M. synoviae infection was subsequently demonstrated experimentally. EAA occurred after intratracheal inoculation of birds with M. synoviae, and even more frequently in birds infected with infectious bronchitis virus 5 days before inoculation of M. synoviae. EAA also occurred, although less frequently, in birds inoculated intravenously with M. synoviae and infected with infectious bronchitis virus. EAA did not occur in birds only inoculated intravenously with M. synoviae. M. synoviae was only isolated from the oviducts of birds producing abnormal eggs. The mean daily egg production was reduced in all groups infected with M. synoviae. Examination of the eggshells by scanning electron microscopy revealed that the mammillary layer of the calcified zone was absent and that the inner eggshell membranes were thicker. Isolates of M. synoviae from the oviducts of birds from farms producing abnormal eggs were examined by amplified fragment-length polymorphism analysis and did not appear to be clonal.

DNA methylation induced changes in chromatin conformation of the promoter of the vitellogenin II gene of Japanese quail during aging

One approach to the understanding of the molecular basis of aging in higher organisms may be to use genes whose timing and rate of expression during the life span run parallel with specific functions that can be monitored. The genes for egg proteins, such as vitellogenin (VTG), which is expressed in the liver, and ovalbumin, lysozyme etc. that are expressed in the oviduct of birds, meet these requirements. Egg laying function is dependent on the production of these proteins, which, in turn, depends on the expression of their genes. In this communication we present the age-related studies on the VTG II gene of the bird, Japanese quail. The gene is expressed only in the liver and its expression is considerably lower in old birds that do not lay eggs. Comparison of the promoter region of the gene carrying the two important cis-acting elements, estrogen responsive element (ERE) and progesterone responsive element (PRE), shows it to be 100% homologous to the corresponding region of the chicken VTG II gene. Methylation of DNA and conformation of chromatin of this region were studied, as they are known to be important for regulation of expression of genes. Our studies show that in the liver of adult female quails which lay eggs, a -CCGG- sequence located in this region is hypomethylated, and the chromatin encompassing this region of the gene is relaxed. In the old, the -CCGG- sequence is hypermethylated and the chromatin is compact. This is correlated with a decrease in the expression of the gene and decrease in egg production. Further, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) shows that the levels/affinity of specific trans-acting factors that bind to ERE and PRE present in the region, are not different in adult and old birds. Hence the methylation status of the -CCGG- sequence that is located in-between the ERE and the PRE may be crucial for the conformation of chromatin and availability of these two important cis-acting elements for the binding of the trans-acting factors. This, in turn, may downregulate the expression of the gene in old birds.

Factors affecting oviductal sperm storage in domestic fowl following artificial insemination

The objective of this work was to investigate the effects of the type and age of the hen, number of spermatozoa inseminated, and time after insemination on the percentage of sperm storage tubules (SST) containing spermatozoa in domestic fowl. One hundred and thirty-nine layer type and 145 broiler type hens were inseminated at 31 or 59 weeks of age with either 60 × 10 6 or 240 × 10 6 spermatozoa. Hens were killed 1 and 6 h, 2, 4, 7, 14 and 21 days following insemination and their oviduct prepared for histology. Factors affecting percent sections of SST with spermatozoa were mainly the time after insemination and the type of hens and, to a lesser extent, the age and the dose inseminated. Percent SST sections with spermatozoa between homologous groups increased with doses of semen but was not proportional to the number of spermatozoa deposited intravaginally. In most situations, the highest percentages of SST sections containing spermatozoa (from 12 to 54%) were observed only 2 days after insemination. This indicates that the lumen of the oviduct may play the role of a short-term storage area for spermatozoa in the oviduct of birds.

Neoplasms in the Oviducts of Turkeys

The reproductive tracts of turkey breeder hens from five flocks were examined grossly and histologically. Hens from one flock had a normal reproductive history, but hens from the four other flocks had poor records in both egg production and hatchability. Nodular growths occurred in the oviducts of birds in all five flocks. The incidence of lesions varied from flock to flock and from bird to bird. In four flocks, lesions were small and consisted of areas of dysplasia with adenomatous change. Histologically, the lesions in some birds in the fifth flock were adenocarcinomas. No metastases were observed.

The consistent presence of paired ovaries in the Kiwi(Apteryx) with some discussion of this condition in other birds

The ratite order Apterygiformes is the only group of birds in which: 1. Paired ovaries occur consistently without known exceptions. 2. The right ovary (as well as the left) is usually functional. 3. Successful ovulation from the right ovary (as well as the left) is a normal occurrence. 4. If more than one egg is laid during the same season, ovulation occurs alternately from the two ovaries. In addition the following points have also been established: 5. In the North Island Kiwi irregular time intervals between egg laying within one church are apparently owing to the widely differing stages of development of the succeeding follicles at the time of laying of the preceding egg. 6. Only the left oviduct is functional in Kiwis and vestigial right oviducts occur only rarely. 7. From the evidence obtained during this study on Kiwis it appears that the reduction of the right oviduct in birds might well have preceded the reduction of the right ovary during their evolutionary history. 8. Despite textbook statements paired ovaries in birds have been recorded in individual birds of at least 86 species belonging to 16 different orders and paired oviducts in birds have now been recorded in individuals of at least 34 species belonging to 13 different orders. 9. Although it has long been known that paired ovaries occurred commonly but irregularly in some members of the carinate order Falconiformes, species of this group form only 52% of the total number of bird species in which paired ovaries have now been recorded. If normal sexing routine in birds included the examination of the right side of the body cavity in addition to the usual examination of the left side, additional species (and additional orders) with paired ovaries might well be found.

The effect of neurohypophysial hormones on the oviduct of an elasmobranch fish, Scyliorhinus caniculus.

It has been shown by now that the oviduct of birds, reptiles and amphibians in vitro gives a contractile reponse to low concentrations of neurohypophysial hormones (for references see Heller, Ferreri & Leathers, 1970). Fishes have been little investigated but it could be shown that the oviduct of some oviparous teleosts and the ovaries of certain ovoviviparous bony fishes are stimulated by vasotocin, ichthyotocin and oxytocin (Heller & Leathers, 1969). Attempts (Dreyer, 1946; Perks, 1959; Dodd, Perks & Dodd, 1966) to demonstrate effects of elasmobranch pituitary extracts or oxytocin on elasmobranch oviducts in vitro were unsuccessful because of persistent, strong, spontaneous contractions. Further experiments on elasmobranch oviducts seemed indicated because of (1) the positive results obtained in the other classes of cold-blooded vertebrates, (2) the possibility of finding a more suitable suspension fluid, (3) the availablity of purified elasmobranch neurohypophysial principles, and (4) a more sensitive method of recording (see

Electrical recording of movements of the gizzard and oviduct of birds

The paper describes the technique of recording potentials from the gizzard and oviduct of birds by means of implanted electrodes. In this way we were able to make an objective study of electrical phenomena closely associated with the movements of these organs.

On the mode of breeding of the ovo-viviparous shark, and on the aëration of the fætal blood in different classes of animals

With a view to understanding more fully the structure of the Squalus maximus, of which Mr. Home has lately published an account, he has examined with attention that of the Squalus acanthius, which appears to resemble it closely in its internal structure, and has the advantage of being very easily obtained upon the Sussex coast, where it is very common. After describing minutely the external organs of generation in both male and female, the author traces the progress of the ovaria from the time that the yolks are no larger than peas, till they become as large as walnuts, when they pass into the oviduct. The number of yolks differs in different fish; and even in the same fish Mr. H. has seen five yolks in one ovarium and only two in the other. The oviducts then enlarge, and become exceedingly extended, and divided by contraction of its coats into three cavities, the last of which is ten inches in length, and is that in which the eggs are retained till the young fishes are formed, and capable of taking care of themselves. The eggs, however, are not loose as in the oviducts of birds, but are grouped together to the number of three, four, or five, in membranous bags, containing a transparent jelly, in which the young fish swims about after it is formed, with the yolk attached to its belly by a long chord, consisting of blood-vessels. If the bag be torn and the fish taken out and put into water with its yolk attached to it, it swims about; but if the vessels of the chord are wounded, it dies immediately.