Concepedia

Abstract

In the course of experiments on the effects of gonadal hormones on the mineral metabolism of the domestic fowl it was thought desirable to follow the changes in serum calcium and in the partition of plasma phosphorus which result from such treatment. In making these analyses it was observed that intramuscular administration of oestradiol dipropionate (Ciba) elicited a large increase in serum riboflavin [Common & Bolton, 1946]. The present paper is an account of work undertaken to confirm and extend this observation. METHODS Objectives The experiments were primarily directed to securing a hormonal treatment which would simulate prematurely the reactions of the pullet to the gonadal hormones which come into play as the ovary comes naturally into full reproductive activity. Normal development of the comb and hypertrophy of the oviduct occupy a period of some 10–14 days before the laying of the first egg. The experimental treatments were, therefore, designed