Isolation of Crystalline Estradiol-17β from Droppings of Laying Hens

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AVIAN species have been the subject of much research on estrogens, androgens and progestogens, and on the natural occurrence of such hormones in the bird. There is comparatively little information, however, about the precise identity of the gonadal hormones of the fowl. Layne, Common, Maw and Fraps (1957) reported the presence of progesterone in extracts of ovaries of laying hens; their identification was based on chromatographic evidence that included radioautographic “finger printing.” Hurst, Kuksis and Bendell (1957) reported the presence of estrone and estriol in droppings of hens and of estrone, estriol and estradiol in droppings of male fowl. Their evidence was based on chromatography and colour tests. Layne, Common, Maw and Fraps (1958) have reported the presence of estrone, estriol and estradiol in extracts of ovaries of laying hens and have confirmed their chromatographic identifications of estrone and estradiol by radio-autographic “finger printing.” The present communication reports the …