Effect of injection of luzindole-a receptor of melatonin on spine development of chickens

[Objective]To observe the growth of the spine of chickens after injection of the antagonist of the MEL1-a receptor of melatonin to restrain the effect of melatonin. [Methods]Forty-five newborn Little-Shaoxing chickens were divided in three groups:(1) Fifteen chickens(control group) were kept in light-dark(12h: 12h) cycle,500 1x in daytime and 0-5 1x in nighttime.(2) Fifteen chickens(operative group) received pinealectomy when they were 3 days old.They were kept in the same light condition as the control group.(3) Fifteen chickens(antagonist group),a antagonist of the MEL1-a receptor of melatonin(Luzindole,30mg/kg) was injected abdominally every day when they were 3 days old.They were kept in the same light condition as the control group.Radiologic examinations were performed for all chickens.[Results]No chickens developed scoliosis in control group and antagonist group.Seven chickens developed scoliosis in the operative group when the chickens were 3 months old.[Conclusion]Pinealectomy can reduce the secretion of melatonin and induce scoliosis in some of the chickens.But injection of Luzindole to restrain the effect of malatonin cannot induce experimental scoliosis in chickens.