Nature and location of the receptors for salt-gland secretion in the goose

1. The nature and location of the receptors which stimulate salt-gland secretion in the goose have been investigated.2. The rapid injection of homologous blood (sufficient to raise the blood volume by 16 and 9%) into the right atrium failed to induce secretion. In contrast, hypertonic sucrose, Na(2)SO(4) and LiCl initiated secretion.3. These results support the theory that osmoreceptors initiate secretion by detecting an increase in plasma tonicity.4. The minimal amount of hypertonic NaCl required to initiate secretion when infusions were made into a carotid artery or into various arteries and veins in the splanchnic region was not less than that required by an I.V. route.5. Cross-circulation and perfusion studies also showed that a raised [NaCl] in the blood perfusing the head was ineffective in evoking secretion and thus that plasma tonicity must be raised elsewhere in the body.6. Secretion in response to salt-loading was abolished or prevented by cutting the vagus nerves or blocking them with local anaesthetic. Stimulation of the cephalic end of the cut vagi in an isolated, perfused decerebrate head induced secretion, indicating that the afferent fibres from the receptors to the C.N.S. lie in the vagus nerves. Cutting the vagi below the heart, however, had no effect on the secretory response.7. Blocking nerves in the crop with local anaesthetic had no effect on secretion induced by salt-loading but when local anaesthetic was injected into the pericardial sac, secretion decreased immediately, stopped, and recovered with a time course similar to that seen after blocking the vagus nerves.8. Section of the vagi in the neck abolished the tachycardia observed in response to the injection of hypertonic NaCl into the right atrium.9. As in other species, stimulation of the ;secretory nerve' induced secretion in anaesthetized or decerebrate geese.10. Hexamethonium given I.V. or applied topically to the ;secretory nerve ganglion' blocked secretion in response to salt-loading or to secretory nerve stimulation.11. It appears that the receptors for salt-gland secretion are located in or near the heart and that afferent fibres from these receptors travel in the vagus nerves to the C.N.S.12. A possible scheme of the secretory reflex which initiates and maintains salt-gland activity is proposed.     

Demonstration of atrial natriuretic peptide/cardiodilatin (ANP/CDD)-immunoreactivity in the salt gland of the pekin duck

Summary A novel peptide hormone, atrial natriuretic factor/cardiodilatin (ANP/CDD), was recently isolated and characterized from mammalian heart. Its presence has been demonstrated in several organs that contribute to water and sodium homeostasis, such as salivary glands. This study demonstrates the presence of ANP/CDD immunoreactivity in the salt gland of Pekin ducks by high performance liquid chromatography, radioimmunoassay and immunocytochemistry, using a specific antibody against atriopeptide I. A small number of distinct, ovoid or cuboid shaped ANP/CDD-immunoreactive cells were localized in the connective tissue surrounding and separating the central secretory tubules, whereas no immunostaining was observed in the peripheral tubules. Salt glands of ducks that were adapted to salt water revealed a significant hypertrophy of their secretory lobules. However, no differences were found between the number or localization of immunoreactive cells in the salt gland of salt water-acclimatized ducks and non-stimulated glands of ducks that were housed with ad libitum access to fresh water. Our results indicate that ANP/CDD may play a role in the regulation of sodium secretion in the salt gland of aquatic birds.Supported by the Walter-Schulz-Stiftung and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG, We 608/8-2Dedicated to Prof. Dr. med. Dr. phil. h.c. D. Starck on the occasion of his 80th birthday     

Cardiovascular responses to salt-loading in conscious domestic geese

1. The intravenous injection of large volumes of 0.5 M-NaCl that are usually used to induce nasal gland secretion in marine birds has been shown in geese to increase greatly plasma volume, cardiac output, heart rate and stroke volume at the time secretion commences after 2-8 min.2. There were no consistent changes in mean arterial blood pressure or in the distribution of the cardiac output to major organs except to the salt-glands whose share increased approximately fourteenfold. Salt-gland blood flow remained high for 10-20 min after cardiac output and heart rate had returned to nearly normal levels.3. The increases in plasma volume and venous return are unlikely to be the stimuli for salt-gland secretion because secretion was also initiated by giving artificial sea water into the proventriculus and this produced no changes in these variables at the time secretion commenced, 5-14 min later.4. At the start of secretion in orally loaded birds, the only detectable changes in the plasma were small increases in osmolality (from 1.3 to 4.6%), Na (from 0.3 to 6%) and Cl (from 1.3 to 7.1%) concentrations.     

Avian pneumovirus (APV) RNA from wild and sentinel birds in the United States has genetic homology with RNA from APV isolates from domestic turkeys

Nasal turbinates or swabs were collected from wild ducks, geese, owls, sparrows, swallows, and starlings and from sentinel ducks placed next to turkey farms experiencing avian pneumovirus (APV) infections and were analyzed for APV genome and infectious particles. APV RNA was detected in samples examined from geese, sparrows, and starlings. APV RNA and antibodies were also detected in two different groups of sentinel ducks. Infectious APV was recovered from sentinel duck samples. The APV M gene isolated from the wild birds had over 96% predicted amino acid identity with APV/Minnesota 2A, which was isolated earlier from domestic turkeys showing respiratory illness, suggesting that wild birds may be involved in spreading APV infection.     

Salt-gland secretion and blood flow in the goose

1. Salt-gland blood flow in the domestic goose has been measured using a combination of Sapirstein's indicator fractionation technique for organ blood flow and Fegler's thermodilution method for cardiac output.2. Nasal salt secretion was induced by giving 0.5 M-NaCl or 0.154 M-NaCl I.V. or by giving artificial sea water by stomach tube into the proventriculus.3. During secretion, salt-gland blood flow increased from 82.7 +/- 21.9 ml./100 g tissue. min to as high as 2179 ml./100 g. min (mean 1209 +/- 140).4. The rate of secretion in response to salt loading was very variable and was not correlated with the rate of blood flow.5. From the data obtained, it could be calculated that the median values for the percentage extraction of ions from the arterial plasma were Na 15%, K 35%, Cl 21% and water 5.8%.6. Atropine abolished secretion but not the increase in blood flow produced by salt loading.7. Unilateral complete denervation abolished secretion from and the increase in blood flow through the operated but not the control gland.8. Anaesthesia, induced by pentobarbitone sodium, almost completely blocked secretion and the increase in blood flow in the salt-gland in response to salt loading.9. In geese given 0.5 or 0.154 M-NaCl I.V. a positive, significant correlation was found between the total amount of nasal secretion collected over 30 min and the concentrations of Na and Cl in the nasal fluid. However, when the time course of secretion was followed in any one bird, the rate of secretion was inversely related to the concentrations of Na and Cl.10. Harderian gland blood flow was not affected by salt loading.     

First survey of the occurrence of duck enteritis virus (DEV) in free-ranging Polish water birds

Duck plague (DP) caused by anatid herpesvirus 1, also called duck enteritis virus (DEV), presents one of the most important concerns in mass waterfowl production. Apart from geese and ducks, free-ranging water birds are the most notorious infection carriers. The epidemiology of DEV in Western Europe remains unknown. Therefore, it was reasonable to conduct a study on its occurrence using modern but simple real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Analysis of 132 field isolates showed the presence of DEV in 96 birds (72.7 %), and it was found predominantly in wild ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) and mute swans (Cygnus olor). This virus was also found in graylag geese (Anser anser), tundra bean geese (Anser fabalis), and grey herons (Ardea cinerea). The results were recorded as green colour of positive samples, fluorescence under ultraviolet light, and florescent curves in a real-time PCR system. This study indicates the high prevalence of DEV among free-ranging water birds in Poland and the possible transmission to other birds settling in the water environment. This is the first report of DEV detection among free-ranging water birds in Poland.     

Susceptibility of domestic birds to lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) of turkeys

The susceptibility of domestic ducks, geese and chickens to infection with lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) of turkeys was tested. Infection with LPDV was assayed by measuring the particle-associated DNA polymerase in plasma. Ducks and geese were not susceptible to infection with this virus. Chickens were susceptible to the infection with LPDV and some of the birds developed a persistent viraemia. Six serial passages in chickens of viraemic plasma were achieved. Lymphoproliferative gross and microscopic lesions caused by LPDV infection were less frequent and less severe in chickens than in turkeys. LPDV infection in chickens was proven by the reproduction of LPD in turkeys by inoculation of chicken viraemic plasma, and by molecular hybridisation between LPDV (3H)cDNA and RNA extracted from the plasma and organs of inoculated chickens.     

Visual detection of goose haemorrhagic polyomavirus in geese and ducks by loop-mediated isothermal amplification

Goose haemorrhagic polyomavirus (GHPV) is an aetiological agent of haemorrhagic nephritis and enteritis of geese occurring in geese (Anser anser). GHPV may also infect Muscovy ducks (Carina mochata) and mule ducks. Early detection of GHPV is important to isolate the infected birds from the rest of the flock thus limiting infection transmission. The current diagnosis of haemorrhagic nephritis and enteritis of geese is based on virus isolation, histopathological examination, haemagglutination inhibition assay, ELISA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Recently, real-time PCR assay was developed which considerably improved detection of GHPV. In spite of many advantages, these methods are still time-consuming and inaccessible for laboratories with limited access to ELISA plate readers or PCR thermocyclers. The aim of our study was to develop loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) that may be conducted in a water bath. Two pairs of specific primers complementary to VP1 gene of GHPV were designed. The results of GHPV LAMP were recorded under ultraviolet light. Our study showed LAMP was able to specifically amplify VP1 fragment of a GHPV without cross-reactivity with other pathogens of geese and ducks. LAMP detected as little as 1.5 pg of DNA extracted from a GHPV standard strain (150 pg/µl). The optimized LAMP was used to examine 18 field specimens collected from dead and clinically diseased geese and ducks aged from 1 to 12 weeks. The positive signal for GHPV was detected in three out of 18 (16.6%) specimens. These results were reproducible and consistent with those of four real-time PCR. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on LAMP application for the GHPV detection.     

Isolation of avian pneumovirus from mallard ducks that is genetically similar to viruses isolated from neighboring commercial turkeys

Our earlier studies demonstrating avian pneumovirus (APV) RNA in wild geese, sparrows, swallows, starlings and mallard ducks suggested that wild birds might be involved in the circulation of APV in the United States. To determine whether turkey virus can be transmitted to the free flying birds, we placed APV-negative mallard ducks next to a turkey farm experiencing a severe APV outbreak and in an area with a large population of waterfowls. The sentinel ducks did not develop clinical APV disease but infectious APV (APV/MN-12) was recovered from choanal swabs after 2 weeks, and anti-APV antibodies detected after 4 weeks. Four APV isolates recovered from the neighboring turkeys that were experiencing an APV outbreak at the same time shared 95-99% nucleotide identity and 97-99% predicted amino acid identity with the duck isolate. In addition experimental infection of turkey poults with APV/MN-12 resulted in detection of viral RNA in nasal turbinates and APV-specific IgG in serum. These results indicate that the APV isolates from turkeys and ducks shared a common source, and the viruses from different avian species can cross-infect.     

Ribosome accumulation in 3-methylcholanthrene-induced liver growth in adult male rats

One injection of 20 mg/kg body weight of 3-methylcholanthrene results in liver growth, as evidenced by increases in liver wet weight, total protein, and total RNA. DNA does not increase. Total ribosomal RNA also accumulates, but changes in free and membrane-bound ribosome fractions are proportionately different from changes in total ribosomal RNA. Within 12 hr after injection, there is an increase in free ribosomal RNA which then decreases to control levels between 48 and 72 hr. In contrast, membrane-bound ribosomal RNA shows no immediate change, but between 48 and 72 hr the membrane-bound ribosomal RNA increases markedly above control levels, at the same time that free ribosomal RNA is decreasing to control levels. Thus, ribosomal RNA accumulation observed after 3-methylcholanthrene injection is not due to a coordinate increase in free and membrane-bound ribosomal RNA.     

Chromaffin cells in the adrenal homolog of Aphanius fasciatus (teleost fish) express piecemeal degranulation in response to osmotic stress: a hint for a conservative evolutionary process

The effect of severe osmotic stress on the ultrastructural morphology of chromaffin cells in the adrenal homolog of Aphanius fasciatus, a small eurhyaline teleost living in saltpans, was evaluated by electron microscopy quantitative analysis. Fishes were transferred from salt water, whose salinity was 3.7%, to dechlorinated tap water and chromaffin cells were studied at resting condition and after 2 and 48 hr from the beginning of the experiment. Ultrastructural examination revealed a series of granule and cytoplasmic changes highly specific for piecemeal degranulation (PMD), a secretory process based on vesicular transport of cargoes from within granules for extracellular release, which was previously described in chromaffin cells of the mouse, rat, and human adrenal medulla. There was indeed a significant trend toward loss of content material from chromaffin granules accompanied by enlargement of granule size. Remarkably, chromaffin granules maintained their individual close structure during the whole releasing process and eventually transformed into large empty containers. A dramatic increase in the density of small, membrane-bound, variably electron-dense vesicles free in the cytoplasm or attached to granules was recognized during the first 2 hr of stress response. These features fell to control levels after 48 hr. A similar time-course pattern was observed concerning the formation of budding projections from the surface of chromaffin granules. This study provides new insight into PMD physiology and suggests that PMD is part of an adaptive secretory response to severe osmotic stress in fishes. From an evolutionary point of view, this study lends support to the concept that PMD is a secretory mechanism highly conserved throughout vertebrate classes.     

Effect of variation of the composition of CSF in the rat upon drinking of water and hypertonic NaCl solutions

Infusing conscious unrestrained rats with either 0.5 M NaCl-CSF or 0.7 M sucrose-CSF into the lateral cerebral ventricle (IVT) at 38 microliters/hr for 4 hr induced drinking. Although the infusates were nearly equiosmotic, water drinking during the 0.5 M NaCl-CSF was greater than during 0.7 M sucrose-CSF. However, IVT infusions of 0.7 M mannitol-CSF at rates of 9.4 microliters/hr or 38 microliters/hr for 4 hr or 10 microliters/hr for 4 days failed to induce water drinking. Also, IVT infusion of 0.27 M mannitol-CSF at 38 microliters/hr for 4 hr failed to significantly alter water drinking. CSF [Na] was reduced by IVT infusion of either 0.7 M sucrose-CSF or 0.7 M mannitol-CSF. In contrast, CSF [Na] was increased by 4-hr IVT infusion of 0.5 M NaCl in rats denied access to water during the infusion. Intake of 0.5 M NaCl was not altered significantly from control intakes by any of the above IVT infusions. It is concluded that water drinking in the rat may be initiated by stimulation of either a sodium sensitive sensor alone or with an osmoreceptor system and that species specific differences in the induction of both water drinking and hypertonic saline drinking are apparent.     

Blood volume changes and arginine vasotocin (AVT) blood concentration in conscious fresh water and salt water adapted ducks

Blood volume changes consisting in the removal and reinfusion respectively, of 10% of the estimated blood volume (23.2 ml on average) were induced to determine their effects on the blood concentration of arginine vasotocin (AVT), the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) of birds, in fresh water adapted ducks (water ducks) with blood osmolalities and ADH concentrations similar to those of normally hydrated mammals, and in salt water adapted ducks (salt ducks) with chronically elevated blood osmolalities and ADH concentrations. The investigations were carried out in steady state conditions, when infusion of 1 ml·min^–1 of isotonic saline was matched by the excretion in water ducks and when infusion of 0.4 ml·min^–1 of 1,000 mosmolal saline was matched by the salt gland excretion in the salt ducks.After blood removal, AVT blood concentration (mean ±SE) increased from 6.5±0.4 to 8.4±0.6 pg·ml^–1 in water ducks and from 18.1±1.6 to 22.6±1.9 pg·ml^–1 in salt ducks. The respective blood osmolalities of 297.4±1.4 and 318.6±3.3 mOsm·kg^–1 did not change. Reinfusion of the blood after steady-state conditions had been reattained decreased blood AVT from 7.9±0.7 to 6.7±0.5 pg·ml^–1 in water ducks. In the salt ducks AVT concentration had already returned to the control level before blood reinfusion which induced no further reduction. The blood osmolalities remained unchanged in both groups.During blood removal and reinfusion, the excretion rate of the kidneys in water ducks and the salt glands in salt ducks were temporarily reduced and enhanced respectively, the effect being not symmetrical for salt gland secretion.For water ducks, the volume sensitivity of AVT release was found comparable to that of mammals, when related to the induced blood volume changes, the responses to blood removal and reinfusion being approximately equal in absolute terms. In the salt ducks, the volume sensitivity of AVT release was clearly expressed during blood removal but insignificant during blood reinfusion.Supported by the Alexander v. Humboldt-StiftungSupported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft     

Time course of blood changes during acute water deprivation in rats

Two experiments described the onset of hyperosmolality and hypovolemia which occur during the first 24 hr of water deprivation and during periods of extended deprivation up to 72 hr. The first measurable increase in plasma osmolality and decrease in volume were coincident and occurred between 4–8 hr of deprivation, which corresponds to data concerning drinking behavior collected under similar conditions. The first reliable body weight loss occurred between 8 and 24 hr deprivation. Reliable body weight losses, but no further significant blood changes occurred between 48–72 hr water deprivation. A third experiment found increases in plasma osmolality to occur as rats aged from 85 to 100 days, and corroborated earlier findings of plasma volume decreases at that age period.     

Characterization of a herpesvirus isolated from domestic geese in Australia

A herpesvirus (GHV 552/89) associated with high mortality in a flock of domestic geese in Australia was compared with duck virus enteritis (DVE) herpesvirus by cross-protection studies in domestic geese, Muscovy ducks and commercial Pekin ducks. In DVE-vaccinated geese, Muscovy ducks and Pekin ducks, mortality levels of 100, 50 and 0%, respectively, were recorded following challenge with GHV 552/89. Conversely, in geese, Muscovy ducks and Pekin ducks immunized with inactivated GHV 552/89, 100% mortality was observed in the geese and Muscovy ducks, and 80% in the Pekin ducks following challenge with DVE virus. The isolate was also compared with six other avian herpesviruses using cross-neutralization tests in cell cultures. No detectable cross-neutralization occurred with any of the avian herpesviruses tested. Further characterization of GHV 552/89 was undertaken by comparing its genome with strains of DVE herpesvirus using restriction endonuclease analysis of the viral DNA and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Following digestion with HindIII, the DNA fragment pattern of GHV 552/89 was found to be completely different from the DVE viruses. Similarities were found between the digestion patterns of a UK and a US DVE isolate, but both were distinguishable from a UK vaccine strain. The results of the PCR analysis and comparison using two DVE-specific primer sets did not produce specific amplification products of expected molecular weights (603 and 446 base pairs) from the GHV 552/89 genome. The PCR products derived from the DVE strains were similar to those derived from the DVE control DNA. From the results of this study, it is concluded that the goose herpesvirus GHV 552/89 is antigenically and genomically distinct from DVE herpesvirus.     

Serum arginine-vasotocin (AVT) and afferent and central control of osmoregulation in conscious Pekin ducks

In conscious Pekin ducks adapted either to fresh water or to hypertonic saline (1.9%) as drinking fluid, urinary excretion, salt gland secretion and the serum concentration of radioimmunoassayable arginine-vasotocin (AVT) were examined with regard to their afferent and central control. The experiments were carried out under conditions of water diuresis, osmotic diuresis or supraorbital salt gland secretion, which were induced by continuous infusions of appropriate solutions.Temporary bilateral vagus blockade caused rises in AVT serum concentration accompanied by antidiuresis in hydrated ducks and by inhibition of salt gland secretion in salt-stressed ducks.Rostral brainstem cooling caused decreases of AVT serum concentration and water diuresis in ducks under osmotic diuresis and reduction of AVT serum concentration and inhibition of salt gland secretion in saltstressed ducks.Cerebral osmotic stimulation in hydrated ducks by intracarotid injection or by intracerebroventricular microinfusion of hypertonic NaCl solutions caused antidiuretic reactions associated with rises of AVT serum concentration.Supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Si 230/2)     

Isolation of mycoplasma cloacale from a number of different avian hosts in great Britain and France

Following the original isolation of Mycoplasma cloacale from a turkey in Great Britain, only one further turkey isolate has been obtained whereas the mycoplasma has been recovered from 2 species of wild ducks in Britain, and from 2 breeds of domestic ducks and from domestic geese in France. A few isolations have also been made from wild and exotic birds but M. cloacale has not been found in chickens.     

Morphology ofBlastocystis sp. from domestic birds

A study ofBlastocystis sp. from domestic birds was undertaken to determine if morphological differences occurred. Fresh faecal material from domestic chickens, ducks, and geese and from commercially farmed ostriches was obtained.Blastocystis sp. from chickens was morphologically very different from that from the other hosts having within the nucleus discrete spots of chromatin rather than a crescentic band (ducks and geese) or an elliptical band (ostrich). A thick surface coat surrounded allBlastocystis sp. cells in the faecal material, with isolates from the ostrich having the thickest surface coat relative to the cell diameter. Cysts were more commonly found in the chicken samples but were also detected in the duck and ostrich samples. This study suggests that three morphologically distinct groups are represented: one in the chicken, one in the ostrich and another in ducks and geese. These tentative conclusions require confirmation by molecular techniques.     

Surveillance of pelagic birds for influenza A viruses

Within a 4-year surveillance period for influenza A virus in pelagic birds, 351 influenza A strains were isolated from the trachea or cloaca of 3344 apparently healthy ducks, gulls, swans, terns and geese. The isolated influenza A viruses represent 14 subtypes. Their haemagglutinins (HA) were mainly related to avian HA, but also to the human HA H2 and to the swine HA Hswl. The neuraminidases (NA) were identified as avian, equine and human NA. The isolated influenza A strains include fowl plague-like viruses Havl Neql, strains with the surface antigen Hswl Nav4 and the subtype Hav7 Navl isolated from unconcentrated water samples. A subtype unknown to date, with the antigen formula H2 Nav4, was isolated from ducks. 8.2% of pekin ducks showed dual infections.     

Mechanism of compensatory renal hypertrophy

1. Adult rats were unilaterally nephrectomized and the weight of the remaining kidney up to 42 days after the operation compared with that of rats of comparable weight which underwent a sham operation.2. After unilateral nephrectomy the rate of renal hypertrophy varied with the protein content of the diet: it was faster when animals were fed on a high protein diet (22% casein) and lowest in animals fed on a low protein diet (7% casein).3. In rats fed on a standard diet (18% casein), after unilateral nephrectomy there was a sharp increase in glomerular filtration rate (G.F.R.), as measured by inulin clearance estimations; this was accompanied by an enhanced oxygen uptake and by an increase of RNA/DNA ratios in the renal cortex. Changes in rate of oxygen uptake and of RNA/DNA ratios in the medulla were negligible.4. A marked increase in mitotic activity of cells of the cortex occurred only 48 hr after the operation. It lasted for about 2 days. No significant changes in mitotic activity of cells in the medulla were observed.5. After its initial marked rise glomerular filtration rate in the renoprival kidney settled down to about 30-40% above its pre-operative level, and remained at that level for the whole period of observation (6 weeks), while the increase of oxygen uptake returned to its control level in some 10-14 days. RNA/DNA ratios in the cortex remained high, but did not increase further.6. The increase of RNA/DNA ratios in the renal cortex was correlated with a steady increase in the dry weight of the renoprival kidney.7. Water and solutes excretion were restored to normal in about 3-5 days after the operation.8. Though the increase in glomerular filtration rate may be the prime mover in the mechanism of compensatory renal hypertrophy, it does not explain why there is an increase in the size of tubules.