Pituitary Prolactin Levels in Laying, Incubating and Brooding Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus).

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Pituitary glands were removed from hen pheasants in various stages of reproduction—laying, non-laying, incubating and brooding and bioassayed for prolactin content. Prolactin levels rise rapidly during early incubation from levels observed in laying birds. Peak prolactin levels were noted from 8th to 12th days incubation. Prolactin content declined rapidly during latter portion of incubation and throughout the first 11 days following hatching. This occurred despite the fact that late incubation and post-hatching are periods of most intense brooding activity. Non-laying birds showed slightly higher pituitary prolactin levels than did laying birds. Pituitaries of 2 broody cocks were examined after 20 days incubation and showed less prolactin than pituitaries of 2 non-broody control cocks. It is suggested that early high prolactin levels condition the bird for subsequent brooding stimuli. The relationship to control mechanisms is discussed.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: