STUDIES ON THE PHYSIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION IN BIRDS

Abstract

Twenty-seven immature [female] ring doves divided into 8 groups were injected with hormone prepared from the follicular fluid of the sow and dissolved in glycerine. Every group showed smaller ovaries on the average than its control, the difference ranging from 1.3 to 67% with an average group reduction of 39% for all groups. In 5 groups the oviducts averaged larger and in 3 groups smaller than their controls. As a whole oviducts of treated birds averaged nearly 15% larger than their control. Of 16 immature [male][male] cf injected all but 1 showed a considerable reduction in testis size. Data on effects upon size of body and of non-genital organs are also given. It is concluded that injection of ovarian and placental hormone into immature doves does not hasten sexual maturity; it appears to favor the growth of accessory female genitals and to retard those of males.