Observations on the size of the follicular hierarchy in the turkey hen and a case of arrested follicular growth.
1. The phase of rapid development of ovarian follicles in turkeys fed ad libitum or given a restricted allocation of food from 6 to 30 weeks of age was determined by feeding a fat soluble dye and counting the number of rings of dye in the yolks of laid eggs. 2. The duration of rapid growth was similar in ad libitum and restricted birds and averaged 11.6 d. The maximum number of yellow follicles greater than 8 mm expected in the hierarchy of the turkey hen is 9 to 10 compared with 6 to 7 in the chicken. 3. Discontinuous growth was observed in a series of follicles from one bird. This is believed to be the first report of arrested follicular growth in the turkey.
Hocking
P M
PM
AFRC Institute for Grassland and Animal Production, Edinburgh Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland.
Walker
M A
MA
Waddington
D
D
Gilbert
A B
AB
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D014422:Turkeys / Q000502:physiology*