The response of vitamin D-deficient cocks to oestrogen administration.

Abstract

Synopsis Four adult cocks deficient in vitamin D and 4 control birds from the same flock were treated with oestrogen and the changes in the levels of total lipids, phospholipids, protein, calcium and citric acid in the blood plasma were studied. The response to oestrogen was less in the deficient birds than in the controls with respect to all the components studied. It is suggested that the decreased ability of the liver to synthesise yolk materials may be a factor in the decline in egg production observed in hens suffering from a deficiency of vitamin D.