The Sensitivity of the Shell Gland to Prostaglandin in Quail; on the Secretion of Pigment from the Mucous Epithelium

摘要

The sensitivity and the response time of the quail shell gland to prostaglandin were examined in regard to the secretion of pigment. Prostaglandin F_(2α) (0.05 to 0.0063 μg) and arachidonic acid (10 to 1.25μg) were injected intrauterinely 6 h before the expected oviposition time. Both of them could induced pigment secretion 30 min after their injection. The levels of pigment secretion decreased (P<0.05) as doses declined in both of prostaglandin F_(2α) and arachidonic acid. The injection of the lowest dose of arachidonic acid showed higher level of pigment secretion 4h before the expected oviposition time than the earlier injections. The pigment secretion was clearly observed 7 min after the intrauterine injection of prostaglandin F_(2α) (0.05μg) 6h before the expected oviposition time. These results suggested that the shell gland had the high sensitivity to prostaglandin and the increasing ability of prostaglandin synthesis close to spontaneous pigmentation.