Abstract
Summary
Six-day-old chick embryos were treated with either methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM-acetate) or saline and allowed to hatch. When 4 μl of the neurotoxic compound were introduced into the yolk sacs of the embryos, motor function was impaired when the chicks were tested for their perching ability at 1, 2, and 3 days of age. No statistical differences were observed when the chicks were 4- or 5-days of age. Treatment with 2 μl of MAM-acetate produced motor impairment only during the 1st day post hatching. The higher level of MAM-acetate was also accompanied by a significantly reduced adenyl cyclase activities 1-day post hatching. The activity, however, became normal when the chicks reached 3 and 5-days of age. No histological lesions were detected in the brain of the chick. It was concluded that chicks are useful subjects for detection of subtle neurological changes produced by MAM-acetate using a simple perching test.
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