Plasma concentrations of LH, progesterone, and corticosterone during ACTH- and corticosterone-induced ovulation in the hen (Gallus domesticus)

Measurement of Corticosterone Metabolites in Birds' Droppings: An Analytical Approach

“…Their quantification in blood samples provides valuable information about an animal's endocrine status and can be used as a parameter of adrenocortical activity. Thus, disturbances are assessable,2,5 although plasma corticosterone concentrations in birds are also subjected to diurnal and annual rhythms,2,7,8 and corticosterone is also involved in the induction of ovulation in hens 9…”

“…Thus, disturbances are assessable, 2,5 although plasma corticosterone concentrations in birds are also subjected to diurnal and annual rhythms, 2,7,8 and corticosterone is also involved in the induction of ovulation in hens. 9 However, blood sampling itself is critical, as disturbances of the animals will increase the glucocorticoid concentration within minutes, 10 possibly affecting the results. Therefore, in investigations concerning animal welfare, biology, or veterinary medicine, there is increasing interest in measuring glucocorticoid metabolites (GCMs) noninvasively in feces or droppings.…”

Effects of corticosterone and dietary changes in the hen on ovarian function, plasma LH and steroids and the response to exogenous LH-RH

“…For example, injections of ACTH, corticosterone or deoxycorticosterone will induce ovulation (van Tienhoven, 1961 ; Etches & Cunningham, 1976) and LH release (Wilson & Sharp, 1976a, Etches & Croze, 1983), injections of dexamethasone will inhibit ovulation and LH release (Soliman & Huston, 1974;Wilson & Lacassagne, 1978) and injections of metyrapone will alter the normal timing of LH release (Wilson & Cunningham, 1981). However, the relevance of the adrenal to normal ovarian function is difficult to test because the amount of corticosterone or ACTH required to induce ovulation exceeds the normal physiological range (Sharp & Beuving, 1978;Etches & Croze, 1983). Furthermore, the physiological interpretation of the effects of drugs such as dexamethasone and metyrapone is complicated by the lack of knowledge of their target tissues and their complete array of effects.…”

Effects of Administration of Adrenocorticotropin, Corticosteroids and Adrenal Inhibitor Metyrapone on Adrenocortical, Pineal and Gonadal Activity in Nocturnal bird, Athene brama and Diurnal bird, Perdicula asiatica

“…hen it has been reported that ACTH have an impact on tonic release of LH and ovulation (Etches and Cunningham, 1976;Peczeley and Daniel, 1979;Etches and Croze, 1983;Etches et al, 1984b). In the present study too, such a contention can be considered for the elevation of gonadal mass after ACTH treatment in the peak adrenal phase.…”

“…Some of these behaviors may also be present in jungle bush quail as adrenal activity coincides with gonadal cycle. In addition, in domestic hen, it was shown that corticosterone can induce ovulation (Etches and Cunmingham, 1976) by tonic LH release (Etches and Croze, 1983) if mature follicle is present in the ovary, suggesting a positive regulation of adrenal on ovarian function (Etches et al, 1984b). Alternatively, chronic infusions of corticosteroids can block ovulation if the follicles are not sensitized for LH (see Etches et al, 1984a).…”