Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T23:37:14.330Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Physiological and endocrinological mechanisms associated with ovulatory cycle and induced-moulting in the domestic chicken – a Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2007

M.A. Oguike ,
G. Igboeli ,
S.N. Ibe  and
M.O. Ironkwe
M.A. Oguike*
Affiliation:
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, P.M.B. 7267, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
G. Igboeli
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria
S.N. Ibe
Affiliation:
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, P.M.B. 7267, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
M.O. Ironkwe
Affiliation:
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, P.M.B. 7267, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
*
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

The ovulatory cycle and moulting are associated with physiological and endocrinological mechanisms involving a complex interplay of light stimulus, hypothalamus, pituitary, gonads, thyroid and adrenal glands. During ovulation, the LH surge triggers the release of a mature follicle. With advance in the age of a laying hen, egg production decreases coinciding with decrease in ovarian steroids and gonadotropins. Moulting occurs when oestrogen, progesterone and luteinizing hormone are low while thyroid hormones and corticosterone are high. The physiological processes observed during induced moulting are common to those found in natural moulting. Moulting results in the rejuvenation of reproductive tissues of old laying hens, preparing them for another laying cycle. Vitellogenin provides the two proteins (lipovitellin and phosvitin) to the developing yolk, at the same time serving as their transport protein through the blood stream. Low levels of vitellogenin in the plasma of moulting hens are attributable to decrease in oestrogen during moulting since production of vitellogenin from the liver is stimulated by oestrogen.

Keywords

domestic chickenendocrinologicalmoultingovulatory cyclephysiological
Type
Reviews
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 61 , Issue 4 , December 2005 , pp. 625 - 632
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Armstrong, D.G. (1985) Changes in aromatase activity in small ovarian follicles of the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) during growth and atresia. Journal of Endocrinology 105: 297–301.Google Scholar
Bker, M., Brake, J. and McDaniel, G.R. (1983) The relationship between body weight loss during an induced moult and post-moult egg production, egg weight and shell quality in caged layers. Poultry Science 62: 409–413.Google Scholar
Bell, D.D. (2003) Historical and current moulting practices in the United States table egg industry. Poultry Science 82: 965–970.Google Scholar
Bell, D.D. and Weaver, W.D. (2001) Commercial chicken meat and egg production. Fifth Edition. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Norwell, Massachusetts.Google Scholar
Berry, W.D. (2003) The Physiology of induced moulting. Poultry Science 82: 971–980.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brake, J. and Thaxton, P. (1979) Physiological changes in caged layers during a forced – moult. 1. Body temperature and selected blood constituents. Poultry Science 58: 699–706.Google Scholar
Brake, J. and Thaxton, P. (1979) Physiological changes in caged layers during a forced moult. 2. Gross changes in organs. Poultry Science 58: 707–716.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Brake, J. and Thaxton, P. and Benton, E.H. (1979) Physiological changes in caged layers during a forced moult. Plasma thyroxine, plasma tri-iodothyronine, asrenal cholesterol and total adrenal steroids. Poultry Science 58: 1345–1350.Google Scholar
Callard, I.P., Lance, V., Salhanick, A.R and Barad, D. (1978) The annual ovarian cycle of chrysemys picta: Correlated charges in plasma steroid and parameters of vitellogenosis. General and Comparative Endocrinology 35: 245–257.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carnevali, O., Mosconi, G., Angelini, F., Limatola, E., Ciarcia, G. and Polzonetti Magni, A. (1991) Plasma vitellogenin and 17B estradiol levels during the reproductive cycle of Podarcis s. sicular Raf. General and Comparative Endocrinology 84: 373–343.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Davis, G.S., Anderson, K.E. and Carroll, A.S. (2000) The effects of long-term caging and moult of Single Comb White Leghorn hens on heterophil to lymphocyte ratios, corticosterone and thyroid hormones. Poultry Science 79: 514–518.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Decuypere, E. and Verheyen, G. (1986) Physiological basis of induced – moulting and tissue regeneration in fowls. World's Poultry Science Journal 42: 56–68.Google Scholar
Decuypere, E., Leenstra, F., Huybrechts, L.M., Feng, P.Y., Arnonts, S., Herremans, M. and Nys, M. (1993) Selection for weight gain or food conversion in broiler affects the progesterone production capacity of large follicles in reproductive adult breeders. British Poultry Science Journal 34: 543–552.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Deeley, R.G., Mullinxi, K.P., Wetekam, W., Kronenberg, H.M., Megers, M., Eldridge, J.D. and Goldberger, R.F. (1975) Vitellogenin synthesis in the avian liver. Journal of Biological Chemistry 250: 9060–9066.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Draper, M.H. and Lake, P.E. (1967) Physiological reactions of the laying fowl in adverse environments with special reference to the defense reaction. In: Environmental Control in Poultry Production. Carter, T.C. (ed) Edinburgh.Google Scholar
Dunn, I.C. and Sharp, P.J. (1988) Effect of short day treatment and return to long days on the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadotrophic function in aging domestic hens. Fourth International Symposium on Avian Endocrinology, pp 14–15.Google Scholar
Etches, R.J. (1984) Maturation of ovarian follicles In: Reproductive Biology of Poultry. Cunningham, F.J., Lake, P.E. and Hewitt, D. (ed). British Poultry Science Journal. Harlow, UK.Google Scholar
Etches, R.J. (1993) Reproduction in Poultry. In: Reproduction in domesticated Animals. King, G.J. (ed). Elsevier, Huddersfield, UK.Google Scholar
Etches, R.J. (1996) Reproduction in Poultry. CAB International, Wallingford, UK.Google Scholar
Etches, R.J. and Duke, C.E. (1984) Progesterone, androstenedione and oestradial content of theca and granulosa tissues of four largest ovarian follicles during ovulatory cycle of hen. Journal of Endocrinology 103: 71–76.Google Scholar
Gilbert, A.B. and Wells, J.W. (1984) Structure and function of the ovary. In: Reproductive Biology of Poultry. Cunningham, F.J., Lake, P.E. and Hewitt, D. (ed). British Poultry Science Journal Ltd. Oxford.Google Scholar
HO, S.M., Kleis, S., McPherson, R., Heisermann, G.J. and Callard, I.P. (1982) Regulation of vitellogenesis in reptiles. Herpetologica 38: 40–50.Google Scholar
Holt, P.S. (1993) Effect of induced moulting on the susceptibility of White Leghorn hens to a Salmonella enteritidis infection. Avian Disease 37: 412–417.Google Scholar
Holt, P.S. (2003) Moulting and Salmonellaenterica serovar Enteritidis infection: The problem and solutions. Poultry Science 82: 1008–1010.Google Scholar
Hoshino, S., Suzuki, M., Kakegawa, T., Imai, K., Wakita, M., Kobayashi, Y. and Yamada, Y. (1988) Changes in plasma thyroid hormones, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, progesterone and corticosterone of laying hens during a forced-moult. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A-Comparative Physiology 90: 355–359.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hosoda, T., Kaneko, T., Mogi, K. and Abe, T. (1955) Effect of gonadotropic hormones on ovarian follicles and serum vitellin of fasting hens. Proceedings of Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine 88: 502–504.Google Scholar
Huang, E.S.R. and Nalbandov, A.V. (1978) Oestrogen produced by dissociated chicken follicular cells. Biology of Reproduction 18 (Suppl. 1): 39A (Abst).Google Scholar
Imai, K. and Nalbandov, A.V. (1978) Plasma and follicular steroid levels of laying hens after the administration of gonadotropins. Biology of Reproduction 19: 779–784.Google Scholar
Imai, K., Tanaka, M. and Nakajo, S. (1972) Gonadotrophic activities of anterior pituitary and blood plasma and ovarian response to exogenous gonadotropin in moulting hens. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 30: 433–443.Google Scholar
Jacquet, J.M., Seigneurin, F. and De Rivers, M. (1993) Induced – moulting in cockerels: Effect on sperm production, plasma concentration of luteinizing hormone, testosterone and thyroxine on pituitary sensitivity to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. British Poultry Science Journal 34: 765–775.Google Scholar
Johnson, P.A., Dickerman, R.W. and Bahr, J.M. (1986) Decreased granulosa cell, luteinizing hormone sensitivity and altered thecal oestradiol concentration in the aged hen, Gallus domesticus. Biology of Reproduction 35: 641–646.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Johnson, A.L. and Van Tienhoven, A. (1980) Hypothalamo-hypophyseal sensitivity to central injection of progesterone and LH-RH in the laying and moulting hen. Advances Physiological Science 33: 99–107.Google Scholar
Lance, V.A. (1989) Reproductive cycle of the American alligator. American. Zoology 29: 999–1018.Google Scholar
Krishanan, K.A., Proudman, J.A and Bahr, J.M. (1992) Purification and characterization of chicken follicle-stimulating hormone. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 102B (1): 67–75.Google Scholar
Krishanan, K.A., Proudman, J.A., Bolt, D.J. and Bahr, J.M. (1993) Development of an homologous radioimmunoassay for chicken follicle-stimulating hormone and measurement of plasma FSH during ovulatory cycle. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Comparative Physiology 105(4): 729–34.Google Scholar
Lee, K. (1982) Effects of forced-moult period on post-moult performance of Leghorn hens. Poultry Science 61: 1594–1598.Google Scholar
Lien, R.J. and Siopes, T.D. (1989) Turkey plasma thyroid hormones and prolactin concentrations throughout an egg laying cycle and in relation to photorefractoriness. Poultry Science 68: 1409–1417.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McCormick, C.C. and Cunningham, D.I. (1987) Performance and physiological profile of high dietary Zinc and fasting methods of inducing a forced rest: A direct comparison. Poultry Science 66: 1007–1013.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Medvedev, K.L., Moore, R.W., Woodward, C.L., Landers, D.A., Howard, Z.R., Byrd, J.A., Kubena, L.F., Nisbet, D.J. and Ricke, S.C. (2002) Effects of alfalfa and feed deprivation moulting methods on leucocyte percentage in laying hens. Poultry Science 81 (suppl. 1): 100. (Abstr.).Google Scholar
Mitchell, M.E. (1970) Treatment of hypophysectomised hens with partially purified avian FSH. Journal of. Reproduction and Fertility 2: 223–241.Google Scholar
Moudgal, R.P. and Razdan, M.N. (1984) Induction of ovulation in vitro in the hen: Dependency of the response to LH on age and rate of lay. Journal of Endocrinology 106: 67–69.Google Scholar
Mrosovsky, N. and Sherry, D.F. (1980) Animal anorexia. Science 207: 837–842.Google Scholar
Nalbandov, A.V. (1976) Reproduction in female mammals and birds. In: Reproductive physiology of mammals and birds (3rd edn). San Francisco.Google Scholar
Odunsi, A.A., Farinu, G.O. and Togun, V.A. (2002) Diet manipulation and post–moulting responses in caged laying hens. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production 29 (1): 11–15.Google Scholar
Oguike, M.A. (2004) Organ changes and laying performance of forced-moult layers. Ph.D. Dissertation. College of Animal Science and Animal Health Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike. Abia State Nigeria.Google Scholar
Oguike, M.A., Igboeli, G., Ibe, S.N. and Uzoukwu, M. (2004) Effect of day length and feed/water regime on induction of feather moult and subsequent laying performance of the domestic fowl. International Journal Poultry Science 3 (8): 507–512.Google Scholar
Palmer, S.S. and Bahr, J.M. (1992) Follicle stimulating hormone increases serum oestradiol-17 concentrations, number of growing follicles and yolk deposition in aging hens (Gallus gallus domesticus) with decreased egg production. British Poultry Science Journal 33: 403–414.Google Scholar
Park., S.Y., Kim, W.K., Birkhold, S.G., Kubena, L.F., Nisbet, D.J. and Ricke, S.C. (2004) Induced moulting issues and alternative dietary strategies for egg industries in the United States. World's Poultry Science Journal 60: 197–209.Google Scholar
Scanes, C.G., Godden, P.M. and Sharp, P.J. (1977) A homologous radioimmunoassay for chicken follicle stimulating hormone: Observations on the ovulatory cycle. Journal of Endocrinology 73: 473–481.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Selman, K. and Wallace, R.A. (1982) The inter and intracellular passage of protein through the ovarian follicle in teleost. In: Proceedings of the international symposium on Reproductive physiology of fish. Richter, J.J. and Goos, H.J. (ed). The Netherlands Wageningen center of Agric Pub. And Documentation. Pp 136–146.Google Scholar
Senior, B.E. and Furr, B.J.A. (1975) Apreliminary assessment of the source of oestrogen within the ovary of the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus). Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 43: 241–247.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Silversides, F.G., Williams, J. and Merat, P. (1993) Effect of sex linked imperfect albinism in the chicken (sal-c) on plasma luteinizing hormone concentrations and early egg production. British Poultry Science Journal 34: 1011–1019.Google Scholar
Su, H., Silversides, F.G. and Villeneuve, P. (1995) Ovarian morphology and follicular development in sex-linked imperfect albino (sal-s) and non albino hens before or after a induced – moult. British Poultry Science Journal 35: 645–653.Google Scholar
Tanabe, Y., Himemo, K. and Nozaki, (1957) Thyroid and ovarian function in relation to moulting in hen. Endocrinology 61: 661–666.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tanabe, Y., Ogowa, T. and Nakamura, T. (1981) The effect of short-term starvation on pituitary and plasma LH, plasma oestradiol and progesterone, and pituitary response to LH-RH in the laying hen (Gallus domesticus). General and Comparative Endocrinology 43: 392–398.Google Scholar
Vanmontfort, D., Berghman, L.R., Rombatus, L., Verhoeven, G. and Decuypere, E. (1994) Changes of immunoreactive inhibin, follicle-stimulating hormone, luterinizing hormone and progesterone in plasma after short-term food deprivation and during ovulatory cycle of the domestic hen. General and Comparative Endocrinology 95: 117–124.Google Scholar
Van Tienhoven, A. (1961) The effect of massive doses of corticotrophin and corticosterone on ovulation of the chicken (Gallus domesticus). Acta. Endocrinologica 38: 407–412.Google ScholarPubMed
Verheyen, G., Decuypere, E., Chiasson, R.B., Vervloesem, J., Kuhn, E.R. and Michels, H. (1987) Effect of exogenous LH on plasma concentration of progesterone and oestradiol in relation to the cessation of egg laying induced by different moulting methods. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 81: 13–21.Google Scholar
Verheyen, G., Decuypere, E. and Kuhn, E.R. (1984) Dissociation of the role of thyroxine and triiodiothyroxine in relation to egg laying arrest and moult in hens. General and Comparative Endocrinology 53: 499A.Google Scholar
Waddington, D., Perry, M.M., Gilbert, A.B. and Hardie, M.A. (1985) Follicular growth and atresia in the ovaries of hens (Gallus domesticus) with diminished egg production rates. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 74: 399–405.Google Scholar
Walker, R.F. and Frawley, L.S. (1977) Gonadal function in underfed rats 11: Effects of oestrogen on gonadotropins after pinealectomy on constant light exposure. Biology of Reproduction 17: 630–634.Google Scholar
Williams, J.B. and Sharp, P.J. (1977) A comparison of plasma progesterone and luteinizing hormone in growing hens from eight weeks of age to sexual maturity. Journal of Endocrinology 75: 447–448.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Williams, J.B. and Sharp, P.J. (1978) Ovarian morphology and rates of ovarian follicular development in laying broiler breeder and commercial egg producing hens. British Poultry Science Journal 19: 387–395.Google Scholar
Williams, J.B. and Sharp, P.J. (1978) Age- dependent changes in the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis of a laying hen. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 53: 141–146. 408.Google Scholar
Wilson, S.C. (1978) Relationship between plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone and intensity of laying in the domestic hen. British Poultry Science Journal 19: 643–650.Google Scholar
Wilson, S.C. and Sharp, P.J. (1973) Variation in plasma LH levels during ovulatory cycle of the hen (Gallus domesticus). Journal of Reproduction Fertility 35: 561–564.Google Scholar
Wilson, S.C. and Sharp, P.J. (1976) The effect of progesterone on oviposition and ovulation in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus). British Poultry Science Journal 17: 163–173.Google Scholar
Wiskocil, R., Bensky, P., Dower, W., Goldberges, F.R., Gordon, J.I. and Deeley, R.G. (1980) Coordinate regulation of two oestrogen-dependent genes in avian liver. Proceedings of National Academy of Science USA 77: 4474–4478.Google Scholar
Wolford, J.H. (1984) Induced-moulting in laying fowls. World's Poultry Science Journal 40: 66–73.Google Scholar
Zakaria, A.H., Miyaki, T. and Imai, K. (1983) Effect of age on ovarian follicular growth in laying hens. Poultry Science 62: 670–674.Google Scholar
ZAkaria, A.H., Miyaki, T. and Imai, K. (1984) The relationship of clutch length and egg position on ovarian follicular growth in laying hens. Poultry Science 63: 1250–1254.Google Scholar