Plasma prolactin concentrations in broody turkeys: lack of agreement between homologous chicken and turkey prolactin radioimmunoassays.

Abstract

1. Plasma concentrations of prolactin, measured using homologous chicken or turkey prolactin radioimmunoassays, increased 2- and 9-fold, respectively in somatically mature turkey hens transferred from short (6 h light (L): 18 h dark (D)) to long (14 L:10 D) photoperiods. 2. A further increase in plasma prolactin was observed in laying hens 2 to 3 weeks before the onset of incubation. This increase was detected using the turkey prolactin assay but not the chicken prolactin assay. 3. The onset of incubation was not always associated with the cessation of egg production. Egg laying stopped in incubating hens only after plasma concentrations of prolactin were approaching their maximal values. These were 10-fold higher than the prolactin concentrations at the onset of lay. 4. The removal of clutches of eggs from incubating hens resulted in a decrease in plasma concentrations of prolactin, which was associated with the cessation of incubation in two hens which had been incubating for 52 and 47 d. The decrease was only temporary in two hens which had been incubating for 8 and 32 d. The latter two hens continued to show incubation behaviour although they were not sitting on eggs. 5. In four turkey hens which did not become broody, egg production ceased after 12 weeks exposure to 14 L:10 D. The concentration of plasma prolactin, as measured using the turkey prolactin assay, increased 2-fold during the 2 weeks before these hens stopped laying.