ENDOCRINE RELATIONSHIPS IN MALES OF A RELATIVELY INFERTILE STRAIN OF WHITE LEGHORN FOWLS

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Abstract
Over a period of 15 years, one strain of White Leghorns (C) at this laboratory has been consistently less fertile than two other strains (K and S) although all three have been maintained under identical conditions. The birds of the three strains are intermingled in the incubators and brooders, on the rearing range, and in the laying houses. During the breeding season, representatives of the infertile strain are given the same kinds of breeding pens as the others, and in the same buildings. Since the environment is uniform for all three strains, it is clear that the consistently low fertility of Strain C is genetically determined. From 1943 to 1953 the average fertility of all eggs incubated from cockerel- test matings (i.e., no prior information regarding the fertility of the birds used) in Strains C, K, and S was 64, 91, and 86%, respectively.
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