Flying ‘pigeon

Comparative Biochemistry Energy-Generating Pathways in Birds One indication of the relative importance of various ATP-producing pathways is the Vmax of certain enzymes of these pathways. The values of Vmax of several enzymes from the pectoral muscles (chest muscles used for flying) of pigeon and pheasant are listed below. 

Route of exposure may have much to do with the recovery from OPs. When pigeons were treated orally with an OP, inhibition of blood ChE was rapid, and recovery of activity occurred within a few days. However, when the treatment was conducted der-mally, putting the OP on the feet, recovery of enzyme activity took several weeks, implying the presence of a depot for OPs and the possibility that birds can accumulate OPs by flying from site to site. The possibility of bioaccumulation of OPs in a food chain (usually considered to be a characteristic of chlorinated hydrocarbons) was demonstrated by the report of an eagle poisoned by an OP (Warbex) in magpies that, in turn, had obtained the OP by ingesting hair from a steer that had been treated with it for parasites. 

He who smokes cigars and keeps pigeons can watch his money flying through the air. 

Catlett, R.H., Walters, T.W. Dutro, P.A. (1978). The effect of flying and not flying on the myoglobin content of heart muscle of pigeon Columbia livia domestica. Comp. Biochem. Physiol, 59A, 401-2. 

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