title: Pineal transplantation after pinealectomy in young chickens has no effect on the development of scoliosis.
abstract: METHODS
  Three experimental groups and one control group of chickens underwent different surgical procedures to determine the effects of pineal gland transplantation on the development of scoliosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether transplantation of the pineal gland to the body wall musculature maintains serum melatonin levels at normal values and prevents the development of scoliosis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Scoliosis occurs consistently after pinealectomy in young chickens. Many characteristics of this scoliosis are similar to those seen in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. It is not clear whether the underlying mechanism is dependent on reduced levels of serum melatonin or some other aspect of the extensive surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four groups of chickens were selected: normal chickens, pinealectomized chickens, chickens that underwent simple cutting of the pineal stalk, and chickens that underwent transplantation of the pineal gland into the body wall. Development of scoliosis was determined from measurement of the Cobb angle from weekly radiographs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All of the experimental groups showed the same levels of incidence and the same patterns of scoliosis development. Serum melatonin levels were reduced to nearly zero in all the experimental groups for the duration of the experiment. Scoliosis developed in none of the normal chickens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neither transplantation of the pineal gland into the body wall musculature nor simple cutting of the pineal stalk was able to maintain normal levels of serum melatonin because both procedures reduced levels to nearly zero. The incidence and pattern of scoliosis development in these groups were the same as those for the pinealectomized group. Reduction of serum melatonin levels remains a prerequisite for scoliosis development in young chickens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. kbagnall@med.ualberta.ca
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bagnall
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beuerlein
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Raso
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moreau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D002645:Chickens; D008550:Melatonin / Q000097:blood; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000601:surgery* / Q000637:transplantation*; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D008550:Melatonin