THE EFFECTS OF BILATERAL OVARIOTOMY IN THE BROWN LEGHORN FOWL

Abstract

The effects of complete bilateral and of sinistral ovariotomy on the secondary sex characters, accessory sex apparatus and behavior are described. Following successful bilateral ovariotomy the bird changes to an asexual or neutral type, common to both sexes in many of its characters. Sinistral ovariotomy on the other hand induces only a temporary assumption of male plumage which sooner or later reverts to the female type. The observations are based on a series of 19 Brown Leghorn hens which were ovariotomized on the left side at about 11 weeks of age and on the right side 2 to 3 weeks later.