The Effect of Adrenaline on Oviduct Motility and Egg Production in the Fowl

Abstract

IN THEIR study of the motility of the fowl’s oviduct in vitro McKenney, Essex and Mann (1932) used preparations of the magnum, the isthmus and “the whole of the uterus including a small portion of the vagina.” This latter preparation did not allow any distinction to be made between the uterine and vaginal components and it is the object of the present paper to investigate the motility of each of these parts separately as well as to distinguish between their circular and longitudinal muscle layers. In addition to the experiments on the activity and reactivity of the oviduct in vitro some observations were made on the effects of adrenaline on ovulation and oviposition in the intact bird. Adrenaline inhibits uterine motility in the hen and it was to be expected therefore that oviposition would be more difficult or be inhibited completely after the administration of this hormone. The hens …