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Virus Involvement in the Avian Heart: Effect on Protein Synthesis¹

Laboratories of Disease and Environmental Stress, Rutgers — The State University, New Brunswick, New Jersey; Department of Pathology, New York University Medical School, New York; and U. S. Army Medical Unit, Fort Detrick, Maryland

The effects of a Newcastle disease virus on myocardial synthesis of protein were observed in young, rapidly growing chicks. Biochemical parameters, selected to reflect this vital process, were tissue protein, DNA, RNA and free amino acids. The results showed that protein synthesis is rhythmic in the avian heart, with significant yet-to-be explained diurnal changes in nucleic and free amino acids. The virus infection resulted in a highly significant depression of heart size, protein, DNA, RNA and free amino acids. These occurred in the very early stages of the infection and were correlated with the intensity of disease involvement. The changes suggest possible patterns for cardiac irregularities observed in humans exposed to viral diseases.

Manuscript received 7 June 1968.