PROGESTERONE-INDEPENDENT AVIDIN INDUCTION IN CHICK TISSUES CAUSED BY TISSUE INJURY AND INFLAMMATION

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Abstract
Progesterone was administered to estrogen-treated and untreated chicks, or inflammation in the abdominal cavity was caused by intestine and liver injury or i.p. actinomycin D administration. Local injury to the pectoral muscle was also carried out. Chicks were killed 24-26 h after treatment and the biotin-binding egg white protein, avidin, was assayed in several tissues using a [14C]biotin-binding method and radioimmunoassay [RIA]. Ovalbumin was also assayed with a RIA. Avidin was not found in the tissues of control chicks. Progesterone induced avidin only in the oviducts of estrogen-treated chicks. After intestine and liver injury avidin was found, in all the tissues of estrogen-treated and untreated chicks studied except for the brain. The concentrations were highest in the oviduct, lung, intestine and bursa of Fabricius. Actinomycin D (200 .mu.g/kg) caused ascites and subcutaneous edema in 40-60% of the chicks, and avidin was found only in the tissues of these inflammed animals. Avidin production caused by the local muscular injury was restricted to the injured area. Tissue injury and inflammation did not induce ovalbumin in any tissue. Avidin can be induced besides the oviduct also in non-oviductal chick tissues, and there may be both progesterone-dependent and -independent avidin induction mechanisms.