Electrocardiogram of homing pigeon

Abstract

Standard limb leads electrocardiograms were recorded from 90 healthy pigeons. The ECG exhibited P, R, S and T waves. Q wave was observed on some of the ECGs of leads aVR (65.5%) and aVL (23.3%). The duration and amplitude of P wave were 0.02 ± 0.0048 sec and 0.49 ± 0.17 mV, respectively. The P-R segment was 0.03± 0.0116 in lead II. The duration of QRS complex was 0.0187± 0.0015 sec and its amplitude 1.42± 0.065 mV in lead II. ST slurring (absence of ST) was observed in 42.2% of records and sinus arrhythmia was present in 3.3% of pigeons. The results provide normal basic data for clinical and experimental use. © GSP, India.