The Influence of Diethylstilbestrol on Fat Deposition in Turkeys

The fattening action on cockerels of subcutaneously implanted diethylstilbestrol pellets has been described previously (Lorenz, 1943 and in press). Due to the importance in commercial grading of fat deposits in dressed carcasses, the influence of the same treatment on turkeys would be of interest. Sixty-six turkeys of both sexes, 110 to 166 days of age, were paired according to age, sex, and weight; one member of each pair received 3 diethylstilbestrol pellets subcutaneously. Pairs were killed and dressed for autopsy 30 to 90 days later. The weight of abdominal adipose tissue (Lorenz, 1943 and in press) was used as an indicator of the fattening effect. The results (table 1) show a distinct increase in abdominal fatty tissue at the end of all treatment periods. The amount of abdominal fat in the treated birds increased with increasing duration of treatment, but since a similar trend was also found in the control . . .