The level of the free fatty acids of the plasma during an ovulatory cycle in the domestic fowl.

Abstract

Synopsis The plasma of the laying domestic fowl contains quantities of unesterified fatty acids, which are considerably in excess of those in the immature pullet or mature cockerel. The levels of the plasma FFA sometimes vary widely in a single bird, samples taken at intervals of 2–3 days yielding values ranging from 1000–3000 μ equiv. FFA./litre of plasma. In an attempt to determine whether such variations were associated with different stages of the ovulatory cycle, blood samples were taken from groups of birds during the 24–26 hr. period between the laying of two eggs. In eight birds so studied, no consistent and large change was noted in the levels of the plasma FFA during the ovulatory cycle. It was concluded that the large variations in levels of plasma FFA found in samples taken at intervals of 2–3 days could not be attributed to an influence of ovulation on the release of oestrogenic substances into the blood stream.