THE INFLUENCE OF ESTRADIOL ON THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF FLOCKS OF HENS1

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Abstract
Treatment with estradiol up to and including 0.3 mg. daily for extended periods produced changes in social aggressiveness. There was a greater lack of effect on egg laying, wt., and on size of comb. Aggressiveness, egg laying and size of comb were all affected by similar dosage of testosterone propionate. With heavier dosage, there was strong indication, unfor tunately based on too few cases, that estradiol decreased the size of head furnishings, tended to stop egg production, and lowered aggressiveness. The decrease in comb sup ported and extended the observations of Emmens and of Koch and Hoskins with cockerels and capons. The effects produced by estradiol on social aggressiveness and cor respondingly on flock organization were not so striking as those which followed treatment with testosterone propionate. The results obtained indicate an essential antithesis in the action of these 2 hormones as measured by the social be havior of hens.

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