title: Induction of ovulation in vitro in the hen: dependency of the response to LH on age and rate of lay.
abstract: Two experiments were conducted on White Leghorn hens to investigate the effect of different concentrations of LH on the frequency of induction of ovulation in vitro of ovarian follicles collected 18-20 h before the expected time of ovulation from birds of three different ages (7, 18 and 30 months) or of the same age but laying short (three to four) or long (more than seven) sequences of eggs. The ability of LH to induce ovulation was directly related to the age of the donors of the follicles. Follicles derived from hens laying short sequences of eggs were less responsive to the ovulation-inducing effects of LH than were follicles from birds laying long sequences. These observations suggest that the sensitivity of ovarian follicles to the ovulation-inducing effects of LH declines with age and is greater in hens laying long sequences of eggs than those laying short sequences.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects; D010058:Oviposition; D010062:Ovulation Induction
chemical_list: D007986:Luteinizing Hormone