Possible significance of anogenital licking by female rat during precopulatory behavioural patterns

Possible significance of licking of anogenital region by female rat in the initial steps of precopulatory behaviour was studied in short bouts of 3 min each. The order of conspicuous events was--(1) exploratory behaviour, (2) partners pursuing each other, (3) head-to-tail orientation and mutual licking of anogenital regions; particularly when females were in oestrous and metoestrous stages and (4) obvious avoidance and even aggressive behaviour by female during dioestrous stage

Histoenzymological observations on three steroid dehydrogenases of submandibular gland as influenced by estrous cycle in rat

Some key enzymes of steroid metabolism viz.-3 alpha-, 3 beta- and 17 beta- hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDH) in submandibular salivary gland of female rat were studied histochemically. The results showed that these enzyme activities exhibit variation in localization as well as intensity depending on the stages of estrous cycle. 3 alpha-HSDH activity appeared during metestrous stage and remained active through proestrous stage but waned off significantly during estrous stage, thereby indicating a stage-bound occurrence. Generally, the enzyme activities are intensely localized in the linning of granular and large collecting ducts than in acinar regions, indicating greater capacity for the steroid metabolic conversions in ducts. As regards the acini; it is suggested that the significance of these enzymes be considered as having modifying influence on metabolic patterns threat

Influence of oestrous cyclicity on some aspects of carbohydrate metabolism of the submandibular salivary gland of the albino rat

Titres of oestrogen are known to rise from dioestrous to proestrous stage of the oestrous cycle. Such a rising level of estrogen may be responsible for rise in intracellular concentration of cAMP. The estrogen primed tissue, changing from proestrous to oestrous, under known increasing progesterone level and preovulatory LH surge, may led to a sort of balancing action on the varying levels of glycogen synthetase and phosphorylase enzyme activities so as to play a role in maintaining a steady state of glycogen concentration in the salivary gland. Therefore, alterations in glycogen concentration and the activities of concerned enzymes viz. glycogen synthetase, phosphorylase and cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDE) have been studied in albino rats. An abrupt but significant drop in cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDE) activity was found to facilitate corresponding reduction in glycogen and lowering protein concentration of the gland, during transition from oestrous to metoestrous. Main features of the meteostrous stage were depletion of glycogen and protein concentration. Taking into consideration the alteration of glandular glycogen and protein concentration, during various stages of oestrous cycle, variation in the viscosity of saliva has been suggested; in phase with the cyclicity

Effect of acute administration of isoproterenol on submandibular salivary gland of female rat

249-252The functions of salivary glands are under the regulation of both sympathetic as well as parasympathetic nerve fibers. Further, it has also been demonstrated that chronic administration of a β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (IPR) results in hypertrophy and hyperplasia of submandibular glandl [Schneyer C A, Am J Physiol, 203 (1962) 232]. Specific purpose of the present attempt was to look for metabolic responses of submandibular gland of oestrous female rats at very short intervals after 10 min of administration of 5, 10 and 15 μg of IPR to females in oestrous condition; pharmacological action and clearance time being only 8 min. The results indicated significant reduction in case of enzymic activities of phosphorylase, total ATPase and Na+-K+ ATPase. Cyclic AMP-specific phosphodiesterase and succinate dehydrogenase activities were suppressed only with 5 μg dose, but with rising dose levels the effect was not so apparent. Protein content of the gland was reduced slightly by administration of IPR. Hence, it became clear that submandibular gland responds rapidly to IPR administration. Implications of these observations are discussed

Formulation of Spices mixture for preparation of Chicken Curry

Considering the scope of utilization of processed chicken in convenient form, a study was undertaken to optimize the levels of spice mixture salt and commercial chicken masala in a spice formulation to be used for preparation of chicken curry. The sensory quality of ready to eat chicken curry added with hot spice mixture containing salt and chicken masala, revealed that the flavour, juiciness, texture and overall palatability scores of chicken curry improved significantly with addition of 3.0 % salt level as compared to that of 2.5, 3.5 and 4.0 %. Spice mixture containing 1.0 % commercial chicken masala exhibited significantly higher scores for all the sensory attributes over 0.5 and 1.5%.It is thus concluded added that spice mixture added 3.0 % salt and 1.0 % commercial chicken masala was more suitable to enhance the sensory quality of ready to eat chicken curry. [Vet World 2008; 1(1.000): 18-20