Oviposition Patterns Associated with Prolactin Concentration in Domestic Chicken (Gallus domesticus)

Abstract

Physiological mechanisms, involved in unusual ovulatory sequences in domestic hen are remaining undefined. One hundred individually caged white leghorn birds were divided into two equal groups viz. control and treatment, and 2-bromo-αergocryptine, was administered to birds in the treatment group to modulate prolactin (PRL) secretion from anterior pituitary gland. The effect of modulation of PRL concentrations on egg production, sequence length and intersequence pause length were studied by analysis of oviposition records of the birds from 24 to 72 weeks of age. The surviving 48 birds in the control and treatment groups averaged 34.58±1.7 and 25.67±1.15 sequences of oviposition, with a mean sequence length of 9.92±0.63 and 14.04±1.12 days respectively. Most of the birds had a single characteristically long sequence during the entire reproductive cycle, which averaged 46.04±3.09 days in the control birds and 59.33±4.44 days in the treated birds. 2-bromo-α-ergocriptine treatments had significantly decreased (p≤0.01) the circulating concentrations of PRL compared to the birds of the control group. This resulted in a significant increase (p≤0.01) in the number of laying days in birds of the treatment group with a concomitant decrease in the intersequence pause length. The decreased PRL levels during prime sequences in birds of the both groups, reveals the negative role of the circulating PRL levels on egg production with concomitant shorter intersequence pause length. Hence, modulation of PRL with dopamine agonist may enhance the reproductive efficiency of hens later in life.

Effect of serum from laying hen and antiprolactin drug on egg production of indigenous chicken in Bangladesh

“…The Egg production also increased either in single bromocriptine treated or serum treated group (Table 1), indicating that the individiual treatment was effective enough to promote the egg production. The results in this study are in agreement with those findings of Reddy et al (2001) and David et al (2003).…”

Determination of Annual Plasma Hormone Levels Associated with Reproduction in Long-Day Breeding Domestic Geese

“…In flocks of domestic geese production of hatching eggs with optimal fertility during breeding–laying period determines profitability. Previous studies indicate that modulation of PRL with dopamine agonist [ 49 ] and blockage of serotonin synthesis [ 32 ] may enhance the reproductive efficiency of domestic hens. Also, using different photoperiod stimulation in the breeding–laying period like in the study by Zhu et al [ 15 ] may be considered in future work on Zatorska geese.…”

Relationship between Intersequence Pauses, Laying Persistency and Concentration of Prolactin during the Productive Period in White Leghorn Hens

“…Thus by examining egg-laying characteristics such as, age at first oviposition, sequence length and intersequence pause lengths we can assess the reproductive fitness in single comb White Leghorns. Fluctuation in the concentration of prolactin is responsible for timing of oviposition in the domestic hen (Wentworth et al, 1983;David et al, 2003). Prolactin in orchestration with other hormones is responsible for follicular growth in Sheep (Picazo et al, 2000), cow (Hoffmann, et al, 1974), sow (Horth and Farmer, 2000), Mares (Bennett-Wimbush et al, 1998.…”