Phenylethanolamine-N-methyl transferase activity in the avian adrenal following immobilization or adrenocorticotropin

Zachariasen, Rita D.; Newcomer, W. S.

doi:10.1016/0016-6480(74)90128-2

Cited by 25 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Thus, although handling and bleeding procedures might appear to be relatively mild Stressors, under some circumstances they can markedly alter the levels of corticosterone in plasma of the peripheral circulation. Moreover, in other avian studies, these procedures have also been found greatly to increase heart rate (Howard, 1971) and blood volume (McFarland, 1963), to induce hyperlipacidaemia (Freeman & Manning, 1976, 1979 and hypoglycaemia (Davison, 1975;Freeman & Manning, 1976 and to affect other endocrine systems profoundly (Wilson & Sharp, 1975;Zachariasen & Newcomer, 1974;Freeman & Manning, 1976 (Fig. 5) also show that the concentrations of corticosterone in plasma of birds witnessing others being restrained and bled were unaffected by their distress.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Influence of Stress on the Secretion of Corticosterone in the Duck (Anas Platyrhynchos)

Harvey¹,

Merry²,

Phillips³

1980

Journal of Endocrinology

125

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The influence of stress on the secretion of corticosterone has been investigated by radioimmunoassay in domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) of 6-8 weeks of age. Intravenous and i.m. injections of synthetic ACTH (Synacthen, 25 i.u./bird and Synacthen Depot, 100 i.u./bird respectively) markedly increased (2.7- to 10-fold) basal concentrations of corticosterone in plasma (3-6 ng/ml) in comparison with those in birds injected with 0.9% saline (1 ml/bird). Maximum levels of 30-40 ng/ml plasma were reached after 30 min and 5 h respectivley. Increased levels of corticosterone in plasma were also seen within 5 min of i.v. administration of saline and remained as high as those in birds treated with Synacthen for at least 20 min after injection. Blood sampling (from the brachial vein) was, by itself, sufficient to increase levels of corticosterone in plasma; a large (twofold) rise being observed as soon as 1 min after initial handling and bleeding, with concentrations of 30-40 ng/ml being found in birds bled 15 times during a period of 14 min. However, in a flock of birds, the alarm created in unhandled birds while others were being bled had no effect on concentrations of corticosterone in plasma. Deprivation of food or water for 24 h also enhanced levels of corticosterone in plasma, as did 24 h of adaptation to 0.2 M-NaCl drinking water. These results have demonstrated the lability of the secretion of corticosterone in response to stress and demonstrated its usefulness as a physiological indicator of stress in ducks.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Influence of Stress on the Secretion of Corticosterone in the Duck (Anas Platyrhynchos)

Harvey¹,

Merry²,

Phillips³

1980

Journal of Endocrinology

125

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“…induced adrenal responses have been studied by a number of investigators, but the reports are often conflicting . Zachariasen and Newcomer (1974) observed a significant decrease in glandular E and NE levels following physical activities in chicken and quail. Earlier investigators in this laboratory have also revealed that the avian adrenal medullae react uniformly to all acute stressors by releasing NE (Ghosh 1980).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 95%

Effect of a Formalin Stress on the Adrenal Function of the Domestic Pigeon (Columba livia)

Agarwal

Guha

1991

Journal of the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology

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The present study reveals that in domestic pigeons the glandular epinephrine (E) storage is higher in the morning than in the evening. Formalin administration in pigeons depleted the adrenomedullary content of E with elevation of blood sugar in the morning only. The glandular norepinephrine (NE) remained unaffected after formalin stress both in the morning and in the evening.Stress related changes in the adrenal glands of birds are well documented . It has already been established that initially, stressors cause stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system which results in rapid release of catecholamines (CAM) from sympathetic nerve terminals into the peripheral circulation. This is accompanied by CAM depletion, especially NE from the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla of birds . In this connection it may be pertinent to mention that Assenmacher pointed out that species-wise differences in the E and NE possibly lead to varying responses to stressors in birds (Assenmacher 1973). Stimulation of adrenal cortical activity also occurs during stress, which may in turn promote adrenomedullary activation .The occurrence of diurnal fluctuation in the adrenal cortical function has been recorded in some diurnally active birds, like the Japanese quail and duck (Boissin and Assenmacher 1968). The plasma and adrenal corticosterone levels were observed to reach a peak towards the end of night and become progressively low during day hours (Boissin and Assenmacher 1968). However, though the diurnal variation of adrenal cortical activity is well known, the nature of such changes of the adrenomedullary hormones is decidedly lacking in birds.Further, to the best of our knowledge, stress induced alterations in the diurnal rhythmicity of the pigeon adrenal hormones have not been reported so far. In view of this, an experimental study using formalin, a known chemical stressor of pigeon adrenal gland ) was undertaken in the present investigation. Materials and MethodsYoung adult domestic pigeons of both sexes, body weights ranging between 200-250 gms were purchased from the local bird dealer in the months of November and December, when the day length at Calcutta is less than 11 hours. The animals were acclimatized to the laboratory conditions for seven days and were fed ad libitum. They were divided into separate experimental groups. Each bird in the first experimental group was injected with 1 ml of 10% formalin intramuscularly in the morning (8.00 a.m.). The animals in the second experimental group were subjected to similar stress in the evening (6.00 p.m.). Separate groups of untreated birds were used as controls for the two experimental groups. Ten minutes after formalin administration, 0.2 ml of blood was collected from the wing vein of all the birds for blood sugar estimation following the method of Nelson and Somogyi (Oser 1965). The experimental and control birds were autopsied by cervical dislocation and adrenals were immediately dissected out, weighed and processed for corticosterone and catecholamines estimati...

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“…Payne et al (1974) suggested that symptoms of FLKS may have been caused by malfunction of the adrenal glands under conditions of stress. It was thought that FLKS in the present experimental birds could have been related to biotin deficiency in the adrenal glands, as normal concentration of biotin in these glands is high (Eisenstein 1967), but no ultrastructural changes were observed to relate their function under stress conditions to the level of dietary biotineven though it is known that there is a decrease in adrenaline and noradrenaline in the adrenal glands of chickens subjected to experimental stress (Zachariasen and Newcomer 1974). Wight and Siller (1975) did not find increased lipid deposition in the adrenal glands of chickens with FLKS, but Wight (1975), on further investigation, found that 60 % of the cases with FLKS had depleted amounts of catecholamines in the chromaffin cells.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Biotin Deficiency and the Development of the Fatty Liver and Kidney Syndrome in Chickens: An Ultrastructural Study

Bain¹

1977

Aust. Jnl. Of Bio. Sci.

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The structure of the tissue from the liver, kidneys, pancreas and adrenal glands of 4-week-old chickens showing symptoms of the fatty liver and kidney syndrome (FLKS) was compared with that of normal tissue and related to the amount of biotin present in the liver tissue. These birds were reared with different levels of dietary biotin and were stressed by removal of food before being killed. Birds with less than 1�5 pg biotin/g liver were considered to be deficient in biotin. In the stressed birds the severity of FLKS increased with decreasing levels of biotin.

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Phenylethanolamine-N-methyl transferase activity in the avian adrenal following immobilization or adrenocorticotropin

Cited by 25 publications

References 18 publications

Influence of Stress on the Secretion of Corticosterone in the Duck (Anas Platyrhynchos)

Influence of Stress on the Secretion of Corticosterone in the Duck (Anas Platyrhynchos)

Effect of a Formalin Stress on the Adrenal Function of the Domestic Pigeon (Columba livia)

Biotin Deficiency and the Development of the Fatty Liver and Kidney Syndrome in Chickens: An Ultrastructural Study

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