Parthenogenesis in Eggs of White Leghorn Chickens Following an Outbreak of Visceral Lymphomatosis.

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Abstract
Summary Four Single Comb White Leghorn hens of a nonparthenogenetic strain, following a severe outbreak of visceral lympho-matosis, produced a significant number of unfertilized eggs, which upon being incubated, underwent parthenogenetic development. One hen (9243) produced unfertilized eggs, 37.5% of which exhibited parthenogenesis. This hen was subsequently mated to a Dark Cornish male from a strain averaging 5-7% parthenogenesis. Each of 8 virgin daughters of hen 9243 produced some eggs which underwent parthenogenetic development. Eggs of individual hens varied from 13 to 57%, while the average for the entire group was 32.7. Daughters of hen 9243 were subsequently mated first to Dark Cornish males and later to White Leghorn males of Beltsville breeding (non-parthenogenetic strain). Tests for parthenogenesis involving eggs of progeny revealed that the predisposition to parthenogenesis was transmitted from parents to progeny. Use of White Leghorn sires, however, tended to suppress parthenogenesis in eggs of their virgin daughters, while Dark Cornish males allowed a fuller expression of this trait.

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