Evolutionary aspects of orientation and migration in birds

Summary Evolutionary aspects of avian migratory orientation and navigation are reviewed. A theoretical approach to the evolution of complex (endogenously programmed) migratory behavior is presented using the comparative method of ordering a progression in existing behavioral characteristics from dispersal, to facultative migration, to obligate migration.     

Orientation in birds: a foreword

The Editors wish to thank Professor P. Berthold for coordinating this multi-author review.     

Measuring migratory restlessness in captive birds by an ultrasonic system

Summary A new simple ultrasonic system is described with which whirring and hopping, expressions of noctural migratory activity in captive birds, can be measured. Pronounced differences are found if the results are compared with those from the most often used perch-microswitch system, which responds only to hopping.     

Sex hormones as a factor controlling the blood plasma arylesterase activity in rats

Summary A rapid decrease in arylesterase activity was caused by the administration of estradiol to rats, followed by an increase to activity levels 100% higher than the starting levels. After this double response it required almost 40 days for the activity to return to normal levels. There was no remarkable effect by a long-term treatment with a preparation of prolonged estrogenic effect. The results presented further support previous findings that the arylesterase activity is under the control of steroid hormones.

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Zusammenfassung Zufuhr von Östradiol bedingte bei Ratten eine rasche Verminderung der Aktivität der Arylesterase, gefolgt von einer Aktivitätszunahme, die etwa 100% höher lag als die ursprünglichen Werte. Nach erfolgter doppelter Antwort dauerte es fast 40 Tage bevor die Enzymaktivität die normale Höhe wieder erreichte. Dadurch werden frühere Befunde bestätigt, wonach die Arylesteraseaktivität durch Steroidhormone reguliert wird.

     

Colloidal carbon as a multilevel marker for experimental lesions

The use of colloidal carbon for the anatomical marking of experimental lesions is proposed. Visualization of the lesion site may be readily performed through this procedure at the macroscopic, light microscopic, and ultrastructural levels in the same specimen. The chemical inertness of the marker and its relative permanency greatly add to its usefulness.     

Colloidal carbon as a multilevel marker for experimental lesions

Summary The use of colloidal carbon for the anatomical marking of experimental lesions is proposed. Visualization of the lesion site may be readily performed through this procedure at the macroscopic, light microscopic, and ultrastructural levels in the same specimen. The chemical inertness of the marker and its relative permanency greatly add to its usefulness.     

Interkinetic nuclear migration: beyond a hallmark of neurogenesis

Interkinetic nuclear migration (INM) is an oscillatory nuclear movement that is synchronized with the progression of the cell cycle. The efforts of several researchers, following the first report of INM in 1935, have revealed many of the molecular mechanisms of this fascinating phenomenon linking the timing of the cell cycle and nuclear positioning in tissue. Researchers are now faced with a more fundamental question: is INM important for tissue, particularly brain, development? In this review, I summarize the current understanding of the regulatory mechanisms governing INM, investigations involving several different tissues and species, and possible explanations for how nuclear movement affects cell-fate determination and tissue formation.     

Transition metals in an experimental tumour system

Summary In this report we present an analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry of some of the transition metals Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, and Ni in tissues and nuclear fractions in an experimental tumour system.Acknowledgments. The atomic absorption spectroscopic analysis was done at the Health Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bombay. The author are indebted to Dr S.D. Soman, Director, Health Physics Division for providing facilities for the said analysis.     

Partial purification of components from fasting human blood serum which stimulate the forward migration of human spermatozoa

Summary Components from fasting human serum that could stimulate the forward migration of human spermatozoa were isolated by gel filtration on Sephadex G-25. The results suggest that these components may be used to enhance sperm forward migration and, hence, pregnancy rate in artificial insemination with husband's semen, (AIH) especially in cases where the sperm forward migration is not optimal.This work was supported by a grant from the World Health Organization.     

Transition metals in an experimental tumour system.

In this report we present an analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry of some of the transition metals Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, and Ni in tissues and nuclear fractions in an experimental tumour system.