| Abstract: | Oestrone, oestradiol and an uncharacterized polar fraction of oestrogenic substances were monitored by radioimmunoassay in Day-0 domesticated chickens (Gallus domesticus) after routine 21.5-day artificial incubation. Paired adrenals and gonads, blood serum and in-ovo excrement (allantoic urates plus cloacal expressions) were collected from 9 female and 10 male chicks. All samples were homogenized, hydrolysed and extracted with ether. Component oestrogens were isolated by celite:ethylene glycol column co-chromatography before assay. All egg excretory oestrogen measurements were higher (P less than 0.001) in females than in males. Oestradiol was the major excretory oestrogen in both sexes; oestradiol:oestrone ratios (mean +/- s.e.m.) in females and males were 18.45 +/- 2.42 and 3.03 +/- 0.37, respectively. Females had higher (P less than 0.01) total oestrogens for gonadal and adrenal homogenates and for blood serum samples than did the males; oestradiol was generally the major component. |
