The Influence of Sex Hormones Upon the Occurrence of Prolapse in Chickens

PROLAPSE in the chicken is usually defined as the eversion of the oviduct with the cloaca through the vent (Barger and Card, 1935). More strictly it is the failure of the uterus to be drawn back normally after oviposition. This condition may be the direct or indirect cause of high mortality among some groups of chickens. That the occurrence of this condition may be influenced by the sex hormone balance within maturing pullets is suggested by research demonstrating the influence of hormones on the condition and activity of the oviduct and some of its accessories. Several investigators (Juhn, D’Amour and Gustavson, 1930; Asmundson, Gunn and Klose, 1937; Munro and Kosin, 1943; Herrick, 1944) have shown that estrogens stimulate the immature oviduct so that it approaches the size found in laying chickens and in some, secretions may be obtained. Furthermore, it has been found that estrogens will cause a perforation of . . .