Biochemical Studies On Brain Constituents of Some Species of Migrating birds

For performing the present worka total of 100 migratory birds were used ( 60 quails and 40 coots.Half of the birds were killed by decapitation on the first day ofarrival immediately after capture. The other half were kept for a period of 3 weeks before decapitation. The brains of the birds were rapidly removed, dissected into cerebrum,cerebe llum and brain stem . Some biochemically active brain constituents . thought to have an important role in the regulation of metabolic activity during migration, were measured . Th e f e t t y e c i d e WArA separt’lt.ed a nd qu e n t.n f i e d by Gatomic absorption . Sodium and potassium The levels of potassium , and sodium in the cerebrum , cerebe 11 urnand brain stem of the quail and coot were higher on the first day of arrival than after three weeks . Calcium and magnesium The level of calcium and magnesium were lower