GSM 900 MHz microwave radiation affects embryo development of Japanese quails

A wide range of non thermal biological effects of microwave radiation (MW) was revealed during the last decades. A number of reports showed evident hazardous effects of MW on embryo development in chicken. In this study, we aimed at elucidating the effects of MW emitted by a commercial model of GSM 900 MHz cell phone on embryo development in quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) during both short and prolonged exposure. For that, fresh fertilized eggs were irradiated during the first 38 h or 14 days of incubation by a cell phone in "connecting" mode activated continuously through a computer system. Maximum intensity of incident radiation on the egg's surface was 0.2 μW/cm2.The irradiation led to a significant (p<0.001) increase in numbers of differentiated somites in 38-hour exposed embryos and to a significant (p<0.05) increase in total survival of embryos from exposed eggs after 14 days exposure. We hypothesized that observed facilitating effect was due to enhancement of metabolism in exposed embryos provoked via peroxidation mechanisms. Indeed, a level of thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reactive substances was significantly (p<0.05-0.001) higher in brains and livers of hatchlings from exposed embryos. Thus, observed effects of radiation from commercial GSM 900 MHz cell phone on developing quail embryos signify a possibility for non-thermal impact of MW on embryogenesis. We suggest that the facilitating effect of low doses of irradiation on embryo development can be explained by a hormesis effect induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Future studies need to be done to clarify this assumption.     

Effect of Lactobacillus fermentum alone, and in combination with zinc(II) propionate on Salmonella enterica serovar Düsseldorf in Japanese quails

The influence of zinc(II) propionate on the efficacy of Lactobacillus fermentum against Salmonella enterica serovar Düsseldorf was tested in Japanese quails. Twenty one 3-day old Japanese quails were divided into 3 groups each consisting of 7 birds and inoculated orally: (i) group A (control) with Rogosa broth; (ii) group B with rifampicin-resistant L. fermentum (2.5 × 10⁷ CFU/animal); and (iii) group C with rifampicin-resistant L. fermentum cultured in Rogosa broth supplemented with zinc(II) propionate (1 g Zn²⁺ /L of broth; i.e. 2.5 × 10⁷ CFU/animal and 0.1 mg Zn²⁺ /animal). After 16 hours all birds were infected with a single dose of S. enterica serovar Düsseldorf (5.8 × 10⁷ CFU /animal). During the next 6 days the chicks received the same inoculations as they had received earlier through the medium of drinking water. The viable counts of Salmonella, rifampicin-resistant lactobacilli and total aerobes in the feces and cecal content, zinc concentration in the cecal content and growth performance were evaluated. L. fermentum alone, and in combination with Zn(II) propionate significantly reduced shedding of Salmonella in the feces and also the amount of salmonellae present in cecal content as compared to control. The numbers of Salmonella in group C in all collections were lower than in group B, but a significant difference (p < 0.05) was noted only 24 h after infection. The viable counts of rifampicin-resistant lactobacilli were similar in groups B and C and numbers of total aerobes were reduced in these groups compared with control. L. fermentum and its combination with zinc(II) propionate increased daily weight gains in the chicks in comparison with control. Zinc concentration in the control and C group was 34.9 ± 6.2 mg · kg⁻¹ and 676.3 ± 106.6 mg · kg⁻¹ of cecal content, respectively. Presented at the Second Probiotic Conference, Košice, 15–19 September 2004, Slovakia.     

MHC class IIB gene sequences and expression in quails (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Coturnix japonica</Emphasis>) selected for high and low antibody responses

Two quail lines, H and L, which were developed for high (H) and low (L) antibody production against inactivated Newcastle disease virus antigen, were used to examine differences in the organization, structure and expression of the quail Mhc class IIB genes. Four Coja class IIB genes in the H line and ten Coja class IIB genes in the L line were identified by gene amplification using standard and long-range PCRs and sequencing of the amplified products. RFLP analysis, sequencing and gene mapping revealed that the H line was fixed for a single class IIB haplotype, which we have designated CojaII-02^HL-CojaII-01^HL. In contrast, evidence was found for two class IIB haplotypes segregating in the L line. Some individuals were found to be homozygous for haplotype CojaII-08^L-CojaII-07^L and others were found to be heterozygous CojaII-08^L-CojaII-07^L/CojaII-02^HL-CojaII-01^HL. However, expression of CojaII-02^HL-CojaII-01^HL was not detected in the L line. SRBC immunization induced a measurable antibody response in the serum and a line-specific class IIB gene expression in the peripheral white blood cells. CojaII-01^HL was expressed at the highest level in the H line and CojaII-07^L in the L line. The expression of the class IIB mRNA reached the highest level at approximately 1 week after the primary antibody response and then declined exponentially. The antibody and class IIB gene expression data obtained in response to SRBC immunization provide further evidence that quails within the L line had reduced immunocompetence compared with those in the H line.The nucleotide sequence data reported are available in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank databases under accession numbers AB110465–AB110482