GROUND TURKEY PATTIES
scores (Figure 1) indicates that the rapid bacterial growth through the first 10 days of storage had little effect on the flavor of fried patties. Coliform counts from control samples were also consistently lower than from antioxidant treated samples. Although, the low coliform counts were associated with high TBA values of the control samples, this research did not establish a causal relationship. REFERENCES
Products, Inc., Kingsport, Tennessee. Keskinel, A., J. C. Ayres and H. E. Snyder, 1964. Determination of oxidative changes in raw meats by the 2-thiobarbituric acid method. Food Tech. 18: 101-104. Marion, W. W., and R. H. Forsythe, 1964. Autoxidation of turkey lipids. J. Food Sci. 29: 530-534. Maxey, R. B., G. W. Froning and T. E. Hartung, 1973. Microbial quality of ground poultry meat. Poultry Sci. 52: 486-491. Sharf, J. M., 1966. Recommended Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods. American Public Health Association. 2nd Edition. New York. Tarladgis, B. G., B. M. Watts, M. T. Younathen and L. Dugan, Jr., 1960. A distillation method for the quantitative determination of malonaldehyde in rancid foods. J. Am. Oil Chemists Soc. 37: 44-48.
Scanning Electron Microscope Studies of Turkey Semen B.J.
MARQUEZ AND F . X . OGASAWARA
Department of Avian Science, University of California, Davis, California 95616 (Received for publication October 22, 1974)
ABSTRACT Turkey spermatozoa were examined morphologically with the aid of a Cambridge Stereoscan electron microscope. Mean dimensions, in micra, of normal spermatozoa were: acrosome, 1.8; nucleus, 9.1; midpiece, 4.8; tail, 61.0; total length, 76.7. The maximum diameter of the head at its widest was 0.8 microns. There was an increase in abnormal spermatozoa in yellowish semen, with coiling being the most prevalent abnormality. The spherical-shaped cells with granular appearance, also present in yellowish semen, were ascertained to be large macrophages. Occasionally, macrophages filled with phagocytized sperm cells were evident. Hens inseminated with yellowish semen had 57.6 percent fertility compared to 92.1 percent for hens inseminated with control semen. POULTRY SCIENCE 54: 1139-1143, 1975
sional representations of specimens at high magnifications. AKELY and Kosin (1951) described the Sperm cell morphology is one of the charstructure of normal and abnormal tur- acteristics used to assess gamete viability. key spermatozoa as seen with the light micro- Fowl and turkey spermatozoa appear similar scope. The transmission electron microscope morphologically, both having a distinct acro(TEM) has enabled detailed study of the some, nucleus, midpiece, and tail. In 1962, ultrastructure of the avian sperm cell at very Saeki and Brown reported a correlation behigh magnifications (Grigg and Hodge, 1949; tween crooked-neck spermatozoa and fertiliBonadonna, 1954; Dingle and McCosker, ty in the turkey. They also found an increase 1967; Lake et ai, 1968). The scanning electron in this abnormality in yellow-colored semen. microscope (SEM) is currently being used Later, Thurston and Biellier (1972) studied to study sperm cells (Fujita et ai, 1970; yellow-colored semen in turkeys and assoZaneveld et ai, 1971; Baccetti and Burrini, ciated it with the appearance of macrophages 1973). This instrument gives three-dimen- in the semen. INTRODUCTION
W
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on June 13, 2015
Anonymous, 1970. Technical Data for the Food Industry. Publication No. ZG-183. Eastman Chemical
1139
140
B. J. MARQUEZ AND F. X. OGASAWARA TABLE
1.- -Comparative
morphology of fowl and turkey sperm cells
Average length in micra
Fowl Turkey
Acrosome
Head
Midpiece
1.5 2.5 1.4-2.1 1.8
10.7 12.5 9.0-12.0 9.1
2.5 4.3 3.5-5.5 4.8
In the present study, the scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe turkey sperm cells in normal, as well as yellowcolored, semen.
Semen was collected from Broad Breasted White turkey males that had been denied feed for 24 hours. The viscous semen was diluted 1:1 with Lake's diluent, then smears of the mixture were made on no. two cover slips. The cover slips were held in a soft spring to prevent contacting each other during fixa-
FIG. 1. Micrograph of an intact turkey sperm cell showing the acrosome (Ac), nucleus (N), and midpiece (MP). SEM 3,400x.
50+ 61
Reference
Bonadonna (1954) Lake et al. (1968) Wakely & Kosin(1951) Present study
tion. As the smears began to dry on the periphery, they were gently lowered into a fixative of 6% glutaraldehyde in Millonig's buffer. After one hour of fixation, the smears were dehydrated in an ethanol series. The samples then were processed through a series of absolute ethanol-amyl acetate solutions containing increasing concentrations of amyl acetate, and finally rinsed twice with 100% amyl acetate. Cheesecloth wetted with amyl acetate was used to cover the samples during the transfer from amyl acetate to a criticalpoint drying apparatus where they were dried with carbon dioxide. The dried smears were examined with a phase-contrast microscope to find areas with the best representation of spermatozoa. These areas were cut into 9 mm.2 pieces with a diamond knife and then attached to SEM stubs with silver conducting paint. The stubs
FIG. 2. Micrograph of spermatozoal acrosome (Ac) and nucleus (N). SEM 17,000x.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on June 13, 2015
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Tail 70 90
SEMEN SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDIES
1141
fowl spermatozoon by Lake et al. (1968). Four mitochondria per turn surrounded the axial fibers. This arrangement was repeated about seven times to give approximately 28 mitochondria per midpiece, compared to about 30 reported for the fowl (Lake et ai, 1968). The yellow-colored semen contained crooked-necked sperm cells similar to those described by Saeki and Brown (1962) in
were coated with a double layer of gold over silver and examined on a Cambridge Stereoscan at an accelerating voltage of 10 Kv., using a 150 p.. aperture. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The average length of the turkey sperm cells was in close agreement with the earlier findings of Wakely and Kosin (1951). The turkey spermatozoa were similar in size to sperm cells of the domestic fowl (Table 1), even though different fixation procedures and types of microscopes were used for determining the physical dimensions (Bonadonna, 1954; Lake et ai, 1968). The acrosome ranged in length from 1.0-2.6 p.., and the border between it and the nucleus was evident (Fig. 1 and 2). In disrupted sperm cells, the acrosome maintained its shape while isolated from the nucleus. The nucleus, or head, varied in length from 7.2-11.0 p.. and had a mean diameter of 0.8 p.. The midpiece ranged from 4.0 to 6.0 p.. and was readily distinguished from the nucleus and tail (Fig. 1). Mitochondria in the midpiece (Fig. 3) had a plate-like configuration as described for the
FIG 4. SEM micrograph of a sample of yellowish semen, arrows point to coiled spermatozoa. SEM3,000x.
FIG. 5. Micrograph of macrophage attached to spermatozoon. SEM 8,600x.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on June 13, 2015
FIG. 3. Micrograph of spermatozoa! nucleus and midpiece. Note plate-like arrangement of mitochondria (M). SEM 17,000x.
1142
B . J. MARQUEZ AND F . X.
OGASAWARA
colored semen (Table 2) was more d r a m a t i c than that observed by Saeki and Brown (1962) in the turkey. The d e c r e a s e in fertility may be d u e , in part, to the increased n u m b e r of abnormal sperm cells, and also to a d e c r e a s e in s p e r m a t o z o a n concentration in the semen. T h e duration of fertility in hens inseminated with yellow-colored s e m e n points out the danger of using such samples indiscriminately for artificial insemination. T h e use of pooled semen would dilute out this a d v e r s e effect if only an occasional sample were used, but it would be better to discard yellow-colored semen samples, if possible.
turkey s e m e n but coiled s p e r m a t o z o a were the most abundant abnormal type (Fig. 4). M a c r o p h a g e s , as reported by T h u r s t o n and Biellier (1972) in turkey s e m e n , also were evident throughout the yellow-colored semen. The macrophages in the yellow semen displayed a granular a p p e a r a n c e similar to the ridge-like profiles described by Carr et al. (1969) on mouse peritonea! m a c r o p h a g e s . Some of the macrophages were seen engulfing sperm cells (Fig. 5 and 6). Tingari and Lake (1972) suggested that m a c r o p h a g e s may aid in disposal of unejaculated s p e r m a t o z o a remaining in the reproductive tract of males completing their reproductive cycle. T h e low fertility obtained with yellow-
REFERENCES Baccetti, F., and A. G. Burrini, 1973. An improved method for the scanning electron microscopy of spermatozoa. J. Microscopy, 99: 101-107. Bonadonna, T., 1954. Observations on the sub-microscopic structures of Gallus gallus spermatozoa. Poultry Sci. 33: 1151-1158. Carr, I., J. A. Clarke and A. J. Salsbury, 1969. The surface structure of mouse peritoneal cells—a study with the scanning electron microscope. J. Microscopy, 89: 105-111. Dingle, J. C , and P. J. McCosker, 1967. Preliminary report on cockerel spermatozoa. Proc. Aust. Poultry Science Convention: 169-173. Fujita, T., M. Miyoshi and J. Tokunaga, 1970. Scanning and transmission electron microscopyof human ejaculate spermatozoa with special reference to their abnormal forms. Z. Zellforsch. 105: 483-497. Grigg, G. W., and A. J. Hodge, 1949. Electron microsocopic studies of spermatozoa. Aust. J. Scientific Research, Series B, 2: 271-286. Lake, P. E., W. Smith and D. Young. 1968. The
TABLE 2. — Fertility of yellow-colored vs. normal semen First week Semen type Normal Yellow
# Total hens # eggs 8 33 1 17 4 X Normal 30 2 Yellow 6 16 "Fertility refers to candle-out fertility. ''Comparison to normal: P less than 0.05. **Comparison to normal: P less than 0.01. Trial
Second week
% fert. 97.3 58.8*
Total # eggs 29 19
86.7 56.25*
34 25
% fert. 90.0 47.4 97.1 40.0**
Duration of fertility" (days) 43 32.75 36.75 19.0**
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on June 13, 2015
FIO. 6. Macrophage found in yellowish semen. Note granular appearance. SEM 8,600x.
SEMEN SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDIES
ultrastructure of the ejaculated fowl spermatozoon. Q. J. Exp. Physiol. 53: 356-366. Saeki, Y., and K. I. Brown, 1962. Effect of abnormal spermatozoa on fertility and hatchability in the turkey. Poultry Sci. 41: 1096-1100. Tingari, M. D., and P. E. Lake, 1972. Ultrastructural evidence for resorption of spermatozoa and testicular fluid in the excurrent ducts of the testis of the domestic fowl, Gallus domesticus. J. Reprod. Fert. 31: 373-381.
1143
Thurston, R. J., and H. V. Biellier, 1972. Ultrastructure studies of turkey semen. Poultry Sci. 51: 1879. Wakely, W. J., and I. L. Kosin, 1951. A study of the morphology of the turkey spermatozoa-with special reference to the seasonal prevalence of abnormal types. Amer. J. Vet. Res. 44: 240-245. Zaneveld, L. J. D., K. G. Gould, N. J. Humphreys andW. L. Williams, 1971. Scanning electron microscopy of mammalian spermatozoa. J. Reprod. Med. 6: 13-17.
Effects of Dietary Polychlorinated Biphenyls on Vitamin E and Selenium Nutrition in the Chick1 Department of Poultry Science and Graduate School of Nutrition, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850 (Received for publication October 23, 1974)
ABSTRACT Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on vitamin E-selenium nutrition in the chick. Results showed that 10 p.p.m. 1 Aroclor" 1254 in the diets of breeding S.C.W.L. hens increased the susceptibility of progeny to vitamin E-selenium deficiency when those chicks were reared on a diet deficient in vitamin E and supplemented with a marginal level of selenium. Susceptibility to this deficiency, as measured by the incidence of exudative diathesis, was also increased when PCBs were added to chick diets. Dietary PCBs were shown to induce hepatic microsomal benzopyrene hydroxylase and induction of this activity was associated with decreased biological utilization of dietary selenium. PCBs were shown to increase the apparent requirements of the chick for vitamin E and selenium for prevention of exudative diathesis. However, discrimination between effects on vitamin E function and effects on selenium function was not possible in these experiments. POULTRY SCIENCE 54: 1143-1152, 1975
INTRODUCTION
N 1971, this laboratory received reports of field cases of selenium deficiency in broiler chicks produced from breeder hens the body lipids of which contained as much as 200 p.p.m. of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). No relationship between PCBs and vitamin E-selenium nutrition in the chicken
I
1. Supported in part by U.S. Public Health Service Grant NS 05632 and by Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc., Nutley, New Jersey 07110. 2. Present Address: Department of Poultry Science, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36830. 3. Present address: Department of Poultry Science, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, Ohio 44691.
had been reported. However, Rehfield et al. (1971) reported the routine production of an edema of the jowls in chicks fed a commercial PCB mixture, Aroclor(R) 1254, in a practicaltype starter diet. That condition, as shown in a published photograph (Rehfield et al., 1971), appeared to be indistinguishable from that pictured by Dam and Glavind (1939) as representing exudative diathesis in selenium- and vitamin E-deficient chicks. Siami et al. (1972) reported that inducers of hepatic microsomal mixed-function oxidases can alter the selenium growth responses of depleted rats. They showed that phenobarbital treatment of female rats reduced the efficacy of selenium supplementation for growth. They proposed that inducible mixed-
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on June 13, 2015
G. F . COMBS, J R . , 2 A . H . CANTOR 3 AND M . L . SCOTT
scores (Figure 1) indicates that the rapid bacterial growth through the first 10 days of storage had little effect on the flavor of fried patties. Coliform counts from control samples were also consistently lower than from antioxidant treated samples. Although, the low coliform counts were associated with high TBA values of the control samples, this research did not establish a causal relationship. REFERENCES
Products, Inc., Kingsport, Tennessee. Keskinel, A., J. C. Ayres and H. E. Snyder, 1964. Determination of oxidative changes in raw meats by the 2-thiobarbituric acid method. Food Tech. 18: 101-104. Marion, W. W., and R. H. Forsythe, 1964. Autoxidation of turkey lipids. J. Food Sci. 29: 530-534. Maxey, R. B., G. W. Froning and T. E. Hartung, 1973. Microbial quality of ground poultry meat. Poultry Sci. 52: 486-491. Sharf, J. M., 1966. Recommended Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods. American Public Health Association. 2nd Edition. New York. Tarladgis, B. G., B. M. Watts, M. T. Younathen and L. Dugan, Jr., 1960. A distillation method for the quantitative determination of malonaldehyde in rancid foods. J. Am. Oil Chemists Soc. 37: 44-48.
Scanning Electron Microscope Studies of Turkey Semen B.J.
MARQUEZ AND F . X . OGASAWARA
Department of Avian Science, University of California, Davis, California 95616 (Received for publication October 22, 1974)
ABSTRACT Turkey spermatozoa were examined morphologically with the aid of a Cambridge Stereoscan electron microscope. Mean dimensions, in micra, of normal spermatozoa were: acrosome, 1.8; nucleus, 9.1; midpiece, 4.8; tail, 61.0; total length, 76.7. The maximum diameter of the head at its widest was 0.8 microns. There was an increase in abnormal spermatozoa in yellowish semen, with coiling being the most prevalent abnormality. The spherical-shaped cells with granular appearance, also present in yellowish semen, were ascertained to be large macrophages. Occasionally, macrophages filled with phagocytized sperm cells were evident. Hens inseminated with yellowish semen had 57.6 percent fertility compared to 92.1 percent for hens inseminated with control semen. POULTRY SCIENCE 54: 1139-1143, 1975
sional representations of specimens at high magnifications. AKELY and Kosin (1951) described the Sperm cell morphology is one of the charstructure of normal and abnormal tur- acteristics used to assess gamete viability. key spermatozoa as seen with the light micro- Fowl and turkey spermatozoa appear similar scope. The transmission electron microscope morphologically, both having a distinct acro(TEM) has enabled detailed study of the some, nucleus, midpiece, and tail. In 1962, ultrastructure of the avian sperm cell at very Saeki and Brown reported a correlation behigh magnifications (Grigg and Hodge, 1949; tween crooked-neck spermatozoa and fertiliBonadonna, 1954; Dingle and McCosker, ty in the turkey. They also found an increase 1967; Lake et ai, 1968). The scanning electron in this abnormality in yellow-colored semen. microscope (SEM) is currently being used Later, Thurston and Biellier (1972) studied to study sperm cells (Fujita et ai, 1970; yellow-colored semen in turkeys and assoZaneveld et ai, 1971; Baccetti and Burrini, ciated it with the appearance of macrophages 1973). This instrument gives three-dimen- in the semen. INTRODUCTION
W
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on June 13, 2015
Anonymous, 1970. Technical Data for the Food Industry. Publication No. ZG-183. Eastman Chemical
1139
140
B. J. MARQUEZ AND F. X. OGASAWARA TABLE
1.- -Comparative
morphology of fowl and turkey sperm cells
Average length in micra
Fowl Turkey
Acrosome
Head
Midpiece
1.5 2.5 1.4-2.1 1.8
10.7 12.5 9.0-12.0 9.1
2.5 4.3 3.5-5.5 4.8
In the present study, the scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe turkey sperm cells in normal, as well as yellowcolored, semen.
Semen was collected from Broad Breasted White turkey males that had been denied feed for 24 hours. The viscous semen was diluted 1:1 with Lake's diluent, then smears of the mixture were made on no. two cover slips. The cover slips were held in a soft spring to prevent contacting each other during fixa-
FIG. 1. Micrograph of an intact turkey sperm cell showing the acrosome (Ac), nucleus (N), and midpiece (MP). SEM 3,400x.
50+ 61
Reference
Bonadonna (1954) Lake et al. (1968) Wakely & Kosin(1951) Present study
tion. As the smears began to dry on the periphery, they were gently lowered into a fixative of 6% glutaraldehyde in Millonig's buffer. After one hour of fixation, the smears were dehydrated in an ethanol series. The samples then were processed through a series of absolute ethanol-amyl acetate solutions containing increasing concentrations of amyl acetate, and finally rinsed twice with 100% amyl acetate. Cheesecloth wetted with amyl acetate was used to cover the samples during the transfer from amyl acetate to a criticalpoint drying apparatus where they were dried with carbon dioxide. The dried smears were examined with a phase-contrast microscope to find areas with the best representation of spermatozoa. These areas were cut into 9 mm.2 pieces with a diamond knife and then attached to SEM stubs with silver conducting paint. The stubs
FIG. 2. Micrograph of spermatozoal acrosome (Ac) and nucleus (N). SEM 17,000x.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on June 13, 2015
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Tail 70 90
SEMEN SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDIES
1141
fowl spermatozoon by Lake et al. (1968). Four mitochondria per turn surrounded the axial fibers. This arrangement was repeated about seven times to give approximately 28 mitochondria per midpiece, compared to about 30 reported for the fowl (Lake et ai, 1968). The yellow-colored semen contained crooked-necked sperm cells similar to those described by Saeki and Brown (1962) in
were coated with a double layer of gold over silver and examined on a Cambridge Stereoscan at an accelerating voltage of 10 Kv., using a 150 p.. aperture. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The average length of the turkey sperm cells was in close agreement with the earlier findings of Wakely and Kosin (1951). The turkey spermatozoa were similar in size to sperm cells of the domestic fowl (Table 1), even though different fixation procedures and types of microscopes were used for determining the physical dimensions (Bonadonna, 1954; Lake et ai, 1968). The acrosome ranged in length from 1.0-2.6 p.., and the border between it and the nucleus was evident (Fig. 1 and 2). In disrupted sperm cells, the acrosome maintained its shape while isolated from the nucleus. The nucleus, or head, varied in length from 7.2-11.0 p.. and had a mean diameter of 0.8 p.. The midpiece ranged from 4.0 to 6.0 p.. and was readily distinguished from the nucleus and tail (Fig. 1). Mitochondria in the midpiece (Fig. 3) had a plate-like configuration as described for the
FIG 4. SEM micrograph of a sample of yellowish semen, arrows point to coiled spermatozoa. SEM3,000x.
FIG. 5. Micrograph of macrophage attached to spermatozoon. SEM 8,600x.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on June 13, 2015
FIG. 3. Micrograph of spermatozoa! nucleus and midpiece. Note plate-like arrangement of mitochondria (M). SEM 17,000x.
1142
B . J. MARQUEZ AND F . X.
OGASAWARA
colored semen (Table 2) was more d r a m a t i c than that observed by Saeki and Brown (1962) in the turkey. The d e c r e a s e in fertility may be d u e , in part, to the increased n u m b e r of abnormal sperm cells, and also to a d e c r e a s e in s p e r m a t o z o a n concentration in the semen. T h e duration of fertility in hens inseminated with yellow-colored s e m e n points out the danger of using such samples indiscriminately for artificial insemination. T h e use of pooled semen would dilute out this a d v e r s e effect if only an occasional sample were used, but it would be better to discard yellow-colored semen samples, if possible.
turkey s e m e n but coiled s p e r m a t o z o a were the most abundant abnormal type (Fig. 4). M a c r o p h a g e s , as reported by T h u r s t o n and Biellier (1972) in turkey s e m e n , also were evident throughout the yellow-colored semen. The macrophages in the yellow semen displayed a granular a p p e a r a n c e similar to the ridge-like profiles described by Carr et al. (1969) on mouse peritonea! m a c r o p h a g e s . Some of the macrophages were seen engulfing sperm cells (Fig. 5 and 6). Tingari and Lake (1972) suggested that m a c r o p h a g e s may aid in disposal of unejaculated s p e r m a t o z o a remaining in the reproductive tract of males completing their reproductive cycle. T h e low fertility obtained with yellow-
REFERENCES Baccetti, F., and A. G. Burrini, 1973. An improved method for the scanning electron microscopy of spermatozoa. J. Microscopy, 99: 101-107. Bonadonna, T., 1954. Observations on the sub-microscopic structures of Gallus gallus spermatozoa. Poultry Sci. 33: 1151-1158. Carr, I., J. A. Clarke and A. J. Salsbury, 1969. The surface structure of mouse peritoneal cells—a study with the scanning electron microscope. J. Microscopy, 89: 105-111. Dingle, J. C , and P. J. McCosker, 1967. Preliminary report on cockerel spermatozoa. Proc. Aust. Poultry Science Convention: 169-173. Fujita, T., M. Miyoshi and J. Tokunaga, 1970. Scanning and transmission electron microscopyof human ejaculate spermatozoa with special reference to their abnormal forms. Z. Zellforsch. 105: 483-497. Grigg, G. W., and A. J. Hodge, 1949. Electron microsocopic studies of spermatozoa. Aust. J. Scientific Research, Series B, 2: 271-286. Lake, P. E., W. Smith and D. Young. 1968. The
TABLE 2. — Fertility of yellow-colored vs. normal semen First week Semen type Normal Yellow
# Total hens # eggs 8 33 1 17 4 X Normal 30 2 Yellow 6 16 "Fertility refers to candle-out fertility. ''Comparison to normal: P less than 0.05. **Comparison to normal: P less than 0.01. Trial
Second week
% fert. 97.3 58.8*
Total # eggs 29 19
86.7 56.25*
34 25
% fert. 90.0 47.4 97.1 40.0**
Duration of fertility" (days) 43 32.75 36.75 19.0**
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on June 13, 2015
FIO. 6. Macrophage found in yellowish semen. Note granular appearance. SEM 8,600x.
SEMEN SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDIES
ultrastructure of the ejaculated fowl spermatozoon. Q. J. Exp. Physiol. 53: 356-366. Saeki, Y., and K. I. Brown, 1962. Effect of abnormal spermatozoa on fertility and hatchability in the turkey. Poultry Sci. 41: 1096-1100. Tingari, M. D., and P. E. Lake, 1972. Ultrastructural evidence for resorption of spermatozoa and testicular fluid in the excurrent ducts of the testis of the domestic fowl, Gallus domesticus. J. Reprod. Fert. 31: 373-381.
1143
Thurston, R. J., and H. V. Biellier, 1972. Ultrastructure studies of turkey semen. Poultry Sci. 51: 1879. Wakely, W. J., and I. L. Kosin, 1951. A study of the morphology of the turkey spermatozoa-with special reference to the seasonal prevalence of abnormal types. Amer. J. Vet. Res. 44: 240-245. Zaneveld, L. J. D., K. G. Gould, N. J. Humphreys andW. L. Williams, 1971. Scanning electron microscopy of mammalian spermatozoa. J. Reprod. Med. 6: 13-17.
Effects of Dietary Polychlorinated Biphenyls on Vitamin E and Selenium Nutrition in the Chick1 Department of Poultry Science and Graduate School of Nutrition, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850 (Received for publication October 23, 1974)
ABSTRACT Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on vitamin E-selenium nutrition in the chick. Results showed that 10 p.p.m. 1 Aroclor" 1254 in the diets of breeding S.C.W.L. hens increased the susceptibility of progeny to vitamin E-selenium deficiency when those chicks were reared on a diet deficient in vitamin E and supplemented with a marginal level of selenium. Susceptibility to this deficiency, as measured by the incidence of exudative diathesis, was also increased when PCBs were added to chick diets. Dietary PCBs were shown to induce hepatic microsomal benzopyrene hydroxylase and induction of this activity was associated with decreased biological utilization of dietary selenium. PCBs were shown to increase the apparent requirements of the chick for vitamin E and selenium for prevention of exudative diathesis. However, discrimination between effects on vitamin E function and effects on selenium function was not possible in these experiments. POULTRY SCIENCE 54: 1143-1152, 1975
INTRODUCTION
N 1971, this laboratory received reports of field cases of selenium deficiency in broiler chicks produced from breeder hens the body lipids of which contained as much as 200 p.p.m. of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). No relationship between PCBs and vitamin E-selenium nutrition in the chicken
I
1. Supported in part by U.S. Public Health Service Grant NS 05632 and by Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc., Nutley, New Jersey 07110. 2. Present Address: Department of Poultry Science, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36830. 3. Present address: Department of Poultry Science, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, Ohio 44691.
had been reported. However, Rehfield et al. (1971) reported the routine production of an edema of the jowls in chicks fed a commercial PCB mixture, Aroclor(R) 1254, in a practicaltype starter diet. That condition, as shown in a published photograph (Rehfield et al., 1971), appeared to be indistinguishable from that pictured by Dam and Glavind (1939) as representing exudative diathesis in selenium- and vitamin E-deficient chicks. Siami et al. (1972) reported that inducers of hepatic microsomal mixed-function oxidases can alter the selenium growth responses of depleted rats. They showed that phenobarbital treatment of female rats reduced the efficacy of selenium supplementation for growth. They proposed that inducible mixed-
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on June 13, 2015
G. F . COMBS, J R . , 2 A . H . CANTOR 3 AND M . L . SCOTT
