Topochemistry of blood cells of the Gallus domesticus (Aves, Galliforme).

Blood smears of both male and female chicken Gallus domesticus were analysed by using the following topochemical methods: a) Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) for glycogen. b) Mercury-bromophenol blue for protein. c) O-Toluidine for myeloperoxidase. d) Sudan black B for lipid. The PAS reaction revealed glycogen in the cytoplasm of all thrombocytes and in a few heterophils. The presence of proteins was evidenced in all types of cells. However variation in the intensity of staining of protein granules was observed in the fusiform structures of the heterophils. A negative reaction for myeloperoxidase was found in all cells. Although some evidence of myeloperoxidase activity was show in the polymorphonuclears it was not enough to ascertain a positive reaction. Lipids were detected in the cytoplasm of few heterophils, eosinophils and monocytes.     

A non-invasive micronucleus assay in the rat liver

The potent rat-liver mitogen 4-acetylaminofluorene (4AAF) is shown here to provide an effective replacement for the surgical procedure of 2/3 partial hepatectomy (2/3PH) in the in vivo rat-liver micronucleus assay described by Tates and his colleagues. This protocol modification enables the assay to be conducted on a routine basis. Control observations for both 2/3PH and 4AAF-treated rats are presented, together with evidence indicating 4AAF itself to be without activity in the assay, irrespective of the mitogenic stimulus. The activities of the rat carcinogens DMN, 2AAF, DMH and 6BT, and of the non-carcinogens 4AAF and 4N are demonstrated. Recommendations for the conduct of the modified assay are made.     

The effect of administering corticoliberin into the striatum on the open-field and shuttle-box behaviors of KHA and KLA strain rats]

The effects of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) injected into the dorsal neostriatum on the open-field and shuttle-box behavior were studied in rats with high (Koltushi high avoidance, KHA) and low (Koltushi low avoidance, KLA) capability for avoidance learning. The effects of this hormone on the behavior of these rat strains were different. In KLA rats with passive strategy of behavior the CRH injection led to a rapid locomotor activation in the open field, while the rats with active behavioral strategy (KHA) reacted to the injection by a significant decrease in locomotion and change for the passive mode of behavior. The same CRH effects on locomotion were obtained in the shuttle-box experiments. Moreover, in the KLA rats the neurohormone injection resulted in an improvement of avoidance learning in contrast to the KHA rats, in which CRH substantially impaired avoidance learning. The obtained evidence is discussed in terms of the important role of striatal CRH in the choice of behavioral strategy in stress.     

Further studies on the occurrence of freshwater Microturbellaria in the British Isles

Five new British records of freshwater Microturbellaria are illustrated: Gieysztoria infundibuliformis, Castrada lanceola, Castrada neocomensis, Castrada viridis and Strongylostoma elongatum. These species together with a new species, Macrostomum johni described by Young (1972), are woven into the fabric of the existing key for the group (Young, 1970). All six species were recorded from the littoral zone of lakes in Caernarvonshire, N. Wales. The times of the recordings are indicated.