Heat-stress response of broiler cockerels to manipulation of the gonadal steroids, testosterone and estradiol.
1. Estradiol supplementation resulted in heat-stress mortality in both intact and caponized cockerels accompanied by depressed plasma corticosterone. 2. Phenotype-selection for large comb and high plasma testosterone increased heat tolerance which was attributed to an increased plasma corticosterone. 3. The results suggested that the presence of testosterone had a positive influence on the heat tolerance of broiler cockerels.
Wang
S
S
North Carolina State University, Department of Poultry Science, Raleigh 27695-7635.
Edens
F W
FW
D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol