The Effect of Feather Muscle Receptor Stimulation on Intrafollicular Pressure, Feather Shaft Movement and Feather Release in the Chicken ,

INTRODUCTION OSTMANN et al. (1963) found that feathers were loosened by both local and general anesthetics by tranquilizing drugs such as chlorpromazine and promazine and by the neural blocking drugs atropine and yohimbine. On the other hand, adrenergic and cholinergic drugs had no effect on altering feather pulling force. In addition, Ostmann et al. (1964) observed that all levels of spinal transaction significantly reduced feather pulling force posterior to the level of transection. The present investigation was undertaken to determine if the feather muscles have adrenergic (alpha and/or beta) and cholinergic receptors. In addition to the above, the effects of feather muscle receptor stimulation on intrafollicular pressure, feather release and feather shaft movement were also studied. METHODS The pressure within the feather follicle (intrafollicular pressure or IFP) was measured using a technique developed by Peterson and Ringer (1964). Non-molting mature S. C. White Leghorn-type hens were used throughout the experiments. . . .