title: Serum prolactin and luteinizing hormone levels during an induced pause in domestic fowl.
abstract: Serum prolactin (PRL) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were measured in White Leghorn hens induced to pause by fasting and exposure to 8L:16D photoschedule. Both PRL and LH levels declined during the fast and increased upon refeeding. Prolactin levels changed primarily in response to the fasting/refeeding component of the pause-inducing procedure, as exposure of non-fasted hens to an 8L:16D photoschedule exerted little effect on serum PRL levels. Injections of ovine prolactin during the pause-inducing procedure significantly reduced the subsequent rate of loss of primary wing feathers, suggesting that in certain physiological states, PRL may function to suppress molting.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003624:Darkness; D004435:Eating; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D008027:Light; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone