Growth and maintenance of the fowl's comb by administration of androsterone

I. Introduction. GREENWOOD et al. [1935] have discussed certain quantitative aspects of the capon comb response to androsterone. In view of the need for economy in both time and material a comparatively small degree of response is most suitable for assay work. Thus the criteria commonly used, a 20 % increase in area or an increase of 5 mm. in length+ height, take the capon comb only a fraction of the way towards the size of the normal cock's comb. Owing to lack of material and preoccupation with assay work, comparatively little effort has hitherto been made to produce and maintain full-sized combs in capons.