ALTERATIONS IN HISTONES OF THE LIVER AND OVIDUCT OF JAPANESE-QUAIL DURING AGING

Age-related changes occur in histones of the liver and oviduct of the female quail. In the liver an extra histone band, named HCX, between H 2A and H4, is observed that increases with age. In the oviduct, a larg e complex of histones is seen which is tissue-specific. This complex d eclines with increasing age. The changes in the histones of the oviduc t of adult and old birds in response to estradiol and progesterone are age-related. In the adult, the histone-complex increases after admini stration of either one of the hormones. In old birds, however, it is s een only after progesterone administration. Thus, the alterations in h istones in the birds are not only tissue- and age-related, but also va ry in response to steroid hormones.