Abstract
Summary
The administration of crystal-line progesterone to the common domestic hen is highly effective, under stated conditions, in causing premature ovulation of normally developing ovarian follicles. Results differ with route of injection, time from injection to expected normal ovulation, injection level, and place of the follicle in the clutch sequence. First follicles of clutch sequences are ovulable at least 6 hours prematurely in 90 to 95% of hens receiving 0.5 and 1.0 mg progesterone intravenously, or 1.0 to 10.0 mg subcutaneously. Follicles other than the first of clutch sequences are ovulable by at least 7 hours prematurity in 70 to 75% of subcutaneously injected hens at dosage levels of 0.5 to 5.0 mg progesterone. Under identical conditions the intravenous administration of progesterone is relatively ineffective. Observed intervals from injection to ovulation varied from 7 to 11 hours.
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