The effect of different feed restriction treatments during rearing on the luteinizing hormone concentrations, body weight, and fertility of broiler-breeder cockerels.
Broiler breeder cockerels were reared on four feed-restriction programs from 3 to 23 wk of age (Experiment 1). Excessive BW restriction (85% of the controls) throughout rearing significantly decreased fertility at 28 wk of age, but not at 31 or 35 wk of age. There were no carryover treatment effects on BW at 30, 35, or 45 wk of age. Significant peaks occurred in the concentration of the serum luteinizing hormone (Experiment 1, 7.05 ng per mL; Experiment 2, 7.36 ng per mL) at 33 to 35 wk of age.
Lilburn
M S
MS
Department of Poultry Science, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster 44691.
Burke
W H
WH
Mashaly
M M
MM
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005298:Fertility; D005508:Food Deprivation / Q000502:physiology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation
D007986:Luteinizing Hormone