Injection of Avian Anterior Pituitary Substance into the Leghorn Fowl. 20

Abstract

Several workers 1 have attempted to modify the genital system of the fowl by pituitary administration. With the exception of Clark, these have been unsuccessful, either by the oral or by the intraperitoneal route. Walker found the injection of a bovine preparation resulted in inhibition of ovulation in the hen.

Wishing to test the possible effectiveness of avian pituitary substance, the writer employed a technique which consisted in the collection of freshly killed chick heads, immediate dissection of the anterior lobes, and the daily intramuscular injection of these into White Leghorn pullets. In the first experiment, 20 three-months-old birds, divided into 4 equal lots, received for 28 days doses of 1, 2, or 3 anterior lobes. One lot as controls, consisted of saline injected, brain tissue injected, and untreated birds. Weights were periodically taken, and autopsies done. Careful examination of the ovaries and oviducts of these birds failed to reveal any deviations from the controls, although the weights of the injected birds were somewhat less than those of controls.

To extend the range of dosage and time, in a second experiment, using similar material and technique, 2 birds received 10 lobes each, three 5 lobes each, and four 3 lobes each for 56 days. There were 10 controls. Autopsies again revealed no departure of either ovaries or oviducts from controls, the weights again being slightly less than controls.

In a third experiment, 6 hens with a previous trapnest record were injected for 23 days as follows: one received 6 lobes daily, one 4 lobes, and one 2 lobes; 3 were controls, untreated, saline, and brain tissue injected. Excluding eggs probably already in the oviducts, controls produced 18 eggs, and injected birds 10 during the injection period.