Abstract Rhodanese (thiosulfate: cyanide sulfurtransferase, EC. 2.8.1.1) is a ubiquitous enzyme present in all living organisms, from bacteria to humans, and plays a central role in cyanide detoxification. The purpose of this investigation was to determine and compare the pattern of distribution of rhodanese in different tissues of adult Japanese quail, partridge, and pigeon. In the three species studied, rhodanese was present in all tissues albeit in different amounts. The highest activity of rhodanese in Japanese quail was observed in kidney and proventriculus followed by liver and heart. In partridge, the highest activity of the enzyme was observed in heart, kidney, and proventriculus. In pigeon, the highest activity of the enzyme was observed in liver, kidney, and heart. Inter-species differences were seen in the level of enzyme in different tissues. The results of this study may indicate the involvement of rhodanese in cyanide detoxification in tissues that have greater potential to be exposed to higher levels of cyanide and also involvement of rhodanese in functions other than cyanide detoxification in other tissues.

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