Normal Cocks Research Articles

Effect of season on Ejaculate Quality of three phenotypes of Nigerian Local Cocks

Twenty four (24) adult Nigerian local cocks comprising 8 normal, 8 frizzle and 8 naked-neck were subjected to two ejaculations per week for seven weeks in each season (early rain, lale rain, early dry and late dry seasons) using the massage technique. Ejaculates were subjected to both physical and chemical evaluations. Results showed a significant (P<0.01) seasonal effects between phenotypes in reaction time. In all the seasons, naked-neck and frizzle cocks had higher (P<0.01) ejaculate volume, sperm motility and total sperm than normal cocks. A highly significant (P<0.01) phenotype by season interaction was observed with naked-neck producing better quality ejaculates during the dry season when compared to other phenotypes. Significant (P<0.05) differences were noted in the percent abnormal sperm among the seasons. There were no significant season by phenotype interactions (P>0.05) in most of the chemical parameters (Na+1, K+1, Ca2+, Mg2+, and total protein) evaluated. However, a gradual increase in seminal protein was observed among the phenotypes with a peak during late dry season. The cations (particularly sodium, potassium and calcium) and chloride constituents of ejaculates were significantly lower during the late dry season than at most other seasons. From these results it was concluded that the naked-neck and frizzle cocks appear superior to the normal cocks in semen output and quality under the humid tropical environment.

Associations among fluctuating asymmetry, duration of tonic immobility, heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and one-legged standing, crooked toes, or footpad dermatitis in chickens

The purpose of this study was to analyze the associations among fluctuating asymmetry, duration of tonic immobility, heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and one-legged standing, crooked toes, or footpad dermatitis in chickens. In experiment 1, cocks (n = 96; 36 wk old) from 11 Spanish breeds and a White Leghorn population that showed one-legged or normal standing were used. There were no significant differences for the relative fluctuating asymmetry, the duration of tonic immobility, and the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio between both groups of cocks, with mean values of one-legged standing birds being similar to those of normal birds. Thus, this pain-related behavior is not associated with some measures of well-being, fear, and stress. In experiment 2, cocks (n = 106; 36 wk old) from 9 Spanish breeds and the White Leghorn population that showed crooked or normal toes were used. Group effect was not significant for the relative fluctuating asymmetry and duration of tonic immobility. Heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and heterophil number were significantly greater (P < 0.001) in cocks with crooked toes and smaller in cocks with normal toes, with the opposite being true for lymphocyte number. Thus, this leg problem is associated with the stressfulness of birds and does not contribute to their well-being or fear levels. In experiment 3, cocks (n = 68; 36 wk old) from 5 Spanish breeds with or without footpad dermatitis were used. Group effect was significant for the relative asymmetry of toe length (P < 0.05), the relative asymmetry of cocks with footpad dermatitis being larger. Group x breed interaction was significant for the relative asymmetry of wattle length (P < 0.001), with the difference between cocks with footpad dermatitis and normal cocks being significant in one breed. In this breed (Red-Barred Vasca), fluctuating asymmetry of wattle length was significantly greater in cocks with footpad dermatitis, suggesting that this leg problem negatively affects the well-being of cocks.

Osborne Selection Index and Semen Traits Interrelationships In Rhode Island Red and White Breeder Cocks

2 Abstract: Three hundred and sixty-one cocks from five hatches, one week apart, were used in this study. The birds which were made up of 203 birds from strain A (male line) and 158 birds from strain B (female line) were subjected to semen collection using the massage technique. The ejaculates were then subjected to both physical and chemical evaluations for semen quality analysis. The parameters considered were semen volume, semen colour, sperm progressive motility, sperm concentration, total sperm per ejaculate, concentration of live sperm and percent abnormal sperm. Results showed that the mean values for all the parameters lie within the acceptable range reported for normal cock semen. Moderate to high heritability estimates for most of the semen traits were also observed. The least square means (±SE) for semen volume, sperm progressive motility, sperm concentration, total sperm per ejaculate and concentration of live sperm cells obtained in this study were 0.42±0.02 ml, 73.46±2.04%, 1.47±0.15x10 /ml, 64.15±5.67x10 /ml 9 9 and 86.45±2.63%. The heritability estimates obtained were 0.55±0.03 for semen colour, 0.45±0.08 for semen volume, 0.83±0.04 for sperm progressive motility, 0.52±0.06 for sperm concentration, 0.33±0.02 for total sperm count, 0.46±0.03 for concentration of live sperm cells respectively. High and positive genetic correlations between Osborne Selection Index and semen volume, semen colour, sperm concentration as well as with concentration of live spermatozoa were also obtained. The lowest value (0.008±0.010) of phenotypic correlation obtained was for total sperm per ejaculate and the highest value (0.066±0.027) was for semen volume. Therefore the genetic correlation between Osborne Selection Index and most semen traits were positive, hence, selection of males on the index values, currently been practiced in NAPRI, will not bring about any deterioration in semen quality. On the other hand, due to significantly negative genetic correlation between Osborne index and abnormal sperms, it will indirectly improve the semen quality of both lines which in turn may yield better fertility in the Rhode Island flock.

Ejaculate characteristics of three genotypes of local cocks in the humid tropics

Twenty four (24) adult Nigerian local cocks comprising 8 naked-neck, 8 frizzle and 8 normal were subjected to two ejaculations per week for 14 weeks using the massage technique. Ejaculates were subjected to both physical and chemical evaluations. Results showed that naked- neck and frizzle cocks had higher (P0.05) among the three genotypes. There were also no significant differences in most of the chemical parameters among the genotypes. From these results the naked-neck and frizzle cocks appear superior to normal cocks under the humid tropical environment in semen output and quality.. Keywords: genotypes, semen, cock, naked-neck, frizzle. Agro-Science Vol. 3 (2) 2006: pp. 33-36

Deficiency of Growth Hormone Receptor Does Not Affect Male Reproduction in Dwarf Chickens

Sex-linked dwarf chickens caused by the mutation of the growth hormone receptor gene are characterized by normal growth hormone (GH), very low insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) level in the blood, and reduced growth. It has been demonstrated that the sex-linked dwarfing gene has negative effects on female reproduction. In the current study, dwarf cocks and their phenotypic normal siblings were used to investigate the effects of dwarf gene on male reproduction. Dwarf cocks grew slower than the normal cocks did, and at 20 wk of age, their BW were 36.4% smaller. However, all parameters for semen quality, including volume, sperm concentration, viability, mobility, pH, and percentage of abnormal sperms, examined at 30 wk of age showed no significant difference between normal and dwarf cocks. The fertility of dwarf cocks was 95.2%, and the normal was 92.4%. The concentrations of GH and IGF-I in serum and seminal plasma were measured with RIA and ELISA, respectively. The serum GH in the dwarf cocks was significantly higher than their normal siblings (P < 0.05), whereas the serum IGF-I in the dwarf cocks was very low. However, the concentration of seminal IGF-I in dwarf cocks was similar to that of their normal siblings, indicating that IGF-I might be produced and acted independently in testis. In conclusion, the deficiency in GH receptor did not affect the male reproduction in dwarf chickens, and the fertility of dwarf cocks could be satisfactory for production when artificial insemination was adopted.

Sex-Reversal Effects of Non-Steroidal Aromatase Inhibitor on Aromatase (P450arom) mRNA Expression in Adult Chicken Gonads.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor (AI, Fadrozole, Ciba-Geigy) on gonadal differentiation in the chicken. Fertilized eggs of single comb White Leghorn hens were injected with AI on day 5 of incubation. AI-treated eggs were incubated, hatched, and raised until 10 months of age. The genetic sex of the adult chickens was evaluated by Southern hybridization analysis of red blood cell lysate using 32P-dCTP-labelled W-specific DNA probe. Groups were (1) hens without a sex-reversal effect, (2) sex-reversed hens, genetic females but phenotypic males, and (3) normal genetic males displaying no obvious changes in secondary sex characteristics. Hens without a sex reversal effect had normal ovarian follicles and a well-developed oviduct on the left side. Genetic males without sex-reversal effect had a pair of normal testes containing seminiferous tubules and interstitial cells. Numerous sperm were present in the seminiferous tubules. Sex-reversed females had retarded gonads on both sides. These gonads contained essentially the same cellular components as those of normal testes, however, the inside diameter of the seminiferous tubules was extremely small. Sex-reversed females had the secondary sex characteristics of the male and displayed mating behavior of normal cocks but had a developed oviduct as well. Plasma concentrations of testosterone and estradiol of the sex-reversed females showed intermediate levels between those of genetic and phenotypic females and males. The gonadal mRNA levels of P45017α-hydroxylase were higher in the genetic males than in phenotypic females and sex-reversed females. On the other hand, mRNA levels of P 450aromatase were higher in the phenotypic females than the sex-reversed females and genetic males. These studies indicate that AI may cause reduction of mRNA expression of P450aromatase and plasma levels of estradiol of sex-reversed females which are indirectly correlated with retarded development of the gonads.

Structure of the right testis of sexually mature genetically female fowl experimentally masculinized during embryonic life and submitted to a posthatching left castration

Posthatching left castration of genetically female fowl, Gallus domesticus, preceded, during embryonic life, by a masculinizing treatment associating a testis graft and an antiestrogen resulted in the development of the right rudimentary gonad into a testis. Examined after the sexual maturity, the right testis of most treated animals was entirely composed of seminiferous tubules possessing a spermatogenic cell complement. Spermiogenesis proceeded to the stage of spermatozoon in 4 out of 17 treated animals and was almost as well organized as in a normal cock testis in 3 of them. Testis development appeared then as clearly improved, compared to that described previously in only left-castrated, with or without treatment with an antiestrogen, or only sex-reversed female fowl. The possible mechanism of this improvement is discussed.

Development of the testes in female domestic fowls submitted to an experimental sex reversal during embryonic life.

The sex differentiation of the female chick embryo can be totally inverted toward the male sex by an early extraembryonic testis grafting. This sex reversal remains permanent, as shown by three adult fowls described in this paper. They possess two testes associated with normally differentiated male excretory ducts and their Müllerian ducts have regressed. The development of male sex characteristics such as external features, behavior and complete spermatogenesis is evidence that these cocks have endocrine and exocrine capabilities similar to those of normal cocks. Although these cocks were able to mate with female fowls, they were sterile. A mechanism is discussed by which grafted testes induce such modifications in females. Hypotheses considering the heterogametic sex (female in birds) as exerting a dominant influence on the phenotypic sexual differentiation can be discarded in light of our results because a homogametic testis provokes the definitive sex inversion of a female.

Response of blood glucose and plasma free fatty acids to fasting and to injection of insulin and testosterone in chickens.

Plasma free fatty acids (FFA) and blood glucose levels were measured in normal cocks at fasting and after eating, and in normal and depancreatized hens and cocks at fasting and after injections of insulin preparations or glucagon-free insulin; testosterone was injected only in normal hens and cocks. Plasma FFA levels increased at fasting and decreased after eating. Insulin administration increased plasma FFA levels of practically all chickens studied. The increases were greater in males than in females when preparations of insulin were used; no such sex difference occurred when glucagonfree insulin was used. Testosterone administration increased plasma FFA levels of cocks but not of hens; it was without effect upon blood glucose levels. Blood glucose levels decreased in response to the injection of insulin; the decreases fluctuated widely and showed little differences between the 2 insulins or between normal and depancreatized chickens. (Endocrinology 81: 1001, 1967)

Effects of methyl testosterone on thyroid function, thyrozine metabolism, and thyroxine-binding protein.

Studies on the effect of androgenic steroids on thyroid function are difficult to evaluate because of a number of apparent discrepancies. Money, Kirschner, Kraintz, Merrill, and Rawson (1), using castrate rats on a low iodine diet, found that testosterone propionate had no influence on thyroid weight or on thyroid weight: body weight ratio, but did increase the radioiodine uptake. Kochakian and Evans (2) recently reported that this form of testosterone failed to influence the uptake or release of radioiodine by the thyroid of the castrate rat. Burris, Bogart, and Krueger (3), using heifers and young steers, found that testosterone propionate produced an increased gain in weight; furthermore, the thyroids of the treated animals weighed more, contained less colloid, and exhibited an increase in thyroid cell height. Voitkevich (4) is cited as stating that the goiters produced by propylthiouracil in guinea pigs and cocks are very considerably decreased by simultaneously administered methyl testosterone, and that propylthiouracil goiters are larger in castrate than -in normal cocks.

Heterosexual Dominance and Mating Behavior in Chickens 1

In a flock of chickens the cocks have a social organization distinct from that among the hens. Although the males usually do not peck the females they appear to dominate them. An experiment was devised in an effort to determine whether the social dominance of males over females exerts any influence on success in mating. With the use of capons an experimental heterosexual peck-order was formed. Capons which were socially inferior to some of the females were injected with an estrogen, which restored treading and copulation without any evident increase in aggressiveness. It was found that social dominance by the hormonally treated capons over the females was not essential for treading and copulation although it did facilitate mating. Observations of unisexual matings among hens or among cockerels also suggest that the individual taking the male role was more successful in attempts to mate with its inferiors than with its social superiors. These results along with others presented in the discussion give indications that the passive dominance of normal cocks over the hens in well integrated flocks facilitates mating.

Hypercalcification, -Calcemia and -Lipemia in Chickens Following Administration of Estrogens

Previous studies have shown that pigeons treated with estrogenic substances show a decided rise in blood calcium and a replacement of the marrow cavity by newly-formed endosteal bone. It seemed of interest, therefore, to study the effect of estrogen on the bones and on the blood calcium of the domestic fowl. While our experiments were in progress, Zondek reported that estrogens increase bone calcification and raise the blood calcium level of chicks of both sexes. These changes were associated with dwarfism. Our material consisted of fully-grown and sexually-mature cocks. We used normal and Creeper cocks, the latter belonging to a breed characterized by chondrodystrophy-like disproportionate dwarfism. Except for one cock, which was 9 months of age, the animals were about 6 to 7 months old when the injections were begun. The body weight of the animals ranged from 870 g to 1620 g at the beginning of the experiment. Nine Creeper and 6 normal cocks were treated with daily injections of estradiol benzoate ‡; 5 Creeper and 5 normal cocks served for controls. In addition, similar tests were made with 2 capons (one normal, one Creeper), and 2 capons were used for control. The hormone injections were continued for various periods, as little as 3 weeks in some cocks, and up to over 4 months in others. The daily dose of estrogen varied between 1,700 and 30,000 I. U. With one exception, the cocks made normal gains in body weight during the experimental period. At the beginning of the experiment the cocks still had rather small combs and wattles. During the course of the injections they decreased in size and assumed the typical capon-like appearance. The cock which was 9 months old when the injections were started, though he responded to the treatment in very typical fashion, still had a large, though somewhat mealy-looking comb after 3 weeks when the experiment was concluded.

On Crowing

In the study hitherto made of cocks' crowing, it was understood that results obtained from various experiments can be explained to dep nd upon function of a hormone and especially it came to be known that its mechanism c nsists in the fact that certain periodical stimulus is given to internal organs by a testicle-hormone. So I made some experiments on same cocks, in wich the hormone activity was artificially weakened or to which a hormone drug was injected Now I will report here the results of these experiments.1. Even though one of a cock's testicles is removed in the chicken stage, its crowing behaviour presents itself as it grows up. But it takes a great many days for the crowing-on an average 87 days more than in normal cocks to give the first utterance and 3 days more for the normal utterance.2. Though is imperfect, it gradually becomes regulated. But the time-duration of crowing is generally short in any case.3.The frequen y is generally small and it is reduced to less t an half of that in normal cocks.4. The number of days required for their utterance is very large, while that for the normal utterance is comparatively small. The former results from the development of their bodily and vocal organs, and the latter from their learning to crow.5. The above-mentioned changes take place on account of their onesided testicle and the fact that their inner function was reduced to less than half of that in normal cocks.6. Every crowing at the early dawn uttered by animals with a single testicle is not constant or in some cases it is not uttered at all.7. The frequency of their crowing decreases extremely, and it cannot be observed that it comes to increase as the crowing is repeated in regular order., as is se n in normal cocks.8. When the cocks which do not crow at the early dawn or constantly are treated with the hormone, they all come to be able to utter a crowing.9. Though in this case the number of times of the crowing shows no increase, yet it is far larger than before.10. In the course of development which takes place in those injected with a hormone of the opposite sex we can see that it takes a great many days for the first utterance, but it is given earlier than that in those whose single testicle is removed in the stage of chickens. So it is certain that the grade of inhibition done to the crowing by an application of a hormone of the opposite sex ranks between that in the case of normal cocks and that in the case of those wi h a single tisticle.11. The crowing of the cocks treated with a hormone of the opposite sex is imperfect in the vocal note, short in time duration, and generally seems to be week in power.12. In those supplied with a hormone of the opposite sex, the crowing at the early dawn is irregular among the individuals.13. The above changes are due to the impediment given to the functions or periodical vocal utterance in the male sex.14. The pr sence of testicle is an indispensable condition for the cock's crowing without which it can never be realized.15. When a hormone of the same sex is supplied to the cocks whose natural crowing behaviour has been changed through an inhibitory effect given by a hormone of the opposite sex. They came to regain the function assigned to the male sex.16. In this case the more powerful a hormone of the same sex is, the greater becomes its effect.17. When one of the testicles of a grown-up cock is removed. it stops crowing for a few days but later it comes to crow again. In the latter case the frequency is reduced to less than half of that in normal individuals.18. It is quite impossible for grown-up cocks with a single testicle to utter a crowing at the early dawn. Even if they crow now and then, it is very difaicult for them to tell the exact time.

鷄の發聲に關する研究

Out of many experiments on the crowing of cocks, I will report here the following four with their results.1. Observation on the deafened cocks till the first utterance of the normal crowing.2. Observation on the seasonal variation of the hours of crowing at the early dawn.3. Effects of hormones on the crowing.4. Effects of separation and cohabitation on the crowing of the cocks treated with hormones.1. Cocks deafened 35 days after hatching begin to crow as development proceeds.2 . In deafened cocks the interval between the hatching and the first utterance is ten days longer than in the normal ones.3. As regards to the notes and the number of their change there is no essential difference between the deafened and the normal cocks.4. The hours of the crowing are constant throughout the year.5. The hours of the crowing are independent of the brightness of the environment.6. The days to be spent between the hatching and the first utterance are less in the individuals treated with hormones than in the normal ones. They are in the mean 72 days in the individuals injected and 76 days in the individuals fed with hormones.7. The interval between the first utterance and the normal crowing is constant whether or not the cocks are treated with hormones.8. The treatment with hormones is, therefore, most effective from the time of hatching till the first utterance.9. In the individuals treated with hormones a tendency to frequent periodical crows is very remarkable.10. By treating with hormones the number of times of crowing is augmented as compared with the previous results; and the difference in the number of crowing between the cases of separation, cohabitation and reseparation is more re-markable in the individuals treated with hormones than in the normal ones.11. In the individuals treated with hormones the change in the number of times of crowing is more obvious in the afternoon than in the morning.12. The crowing of the cocks is induced by the stimulus of the sexual hormo-nes of their own, and the wax and wane of this stimulus appears as the change in the number of times of crowing. The testis is therefore the very centre of the crowing.13. The crowing of the cock is in some sense a substitute for copulation . A slight stimulus of the hormones is alleviated by the crowing . When the stimulus is strong enough, the act of copulation is induced. It is why the crowing is more frequent in the case of separation than in the case of cohabitation.14. The grade of sexual excitation and the frequency of the crowing go always. hand in hand. The latter can therefore be taken as an indicator of the former.

Studies on the relation of gonadic structure to plumage characterisation in the domestic fowl.—III. The laying hen with cock's plumage

Among the many fowls exhibiting abnormality of the sex characters which have been presented to this department by breeders sympathetic to the view that a study of the abnormal may lead to a better understanding of the normal processes of development and maintenance, have been two which were in every way similar to the cock which, in 1474, was sentenced by the magistrates of Basle to be burned at the stake “ for the heinous and unnatural crime of laying an egg.” It is recorded that the executioner on cutting open this cock found three more eggs within him, but this has been doubted by some, who have held that it was impossible and absurd, and that these eggs were not formed by nature, but were created by the fevered imagination of the superstitious. Such was the fate of the sexually abnormal even up to the year 1730. But times have changed, and to-day, instead of being burned at the stake, the offender is called upon to make its contribution to our knowledge of the sex physiology of the fowl. The bird (No. 2) now to be described, then a year-old Rhode Island Red, was sent to this department because it was thought to be a cock which laid eggs. It certainly at that time had the plumage characteristic of the male of the breed, was laying actively, and had well developed spurs. But it did not crow ; it did not exhibit the male behaviour, but behaved as a female ; normal cocks did not recognise it as a male, nor did the hens ; its head furnishings were typically female in their size (save about the time of the moult, when they shrank until they were as those of a capon) (see Plate 39).

Studies on the relation of gonadic structure to plumage characterisation in the domestic fowl.—II. The developmental capon and poularde

Among the many sexually abnormal fowls sent to this Department during the last five years by poultry keepers interested in the science of breeding have been eleven birds which together form a distinct class. Instead of developing into normal cocks or hens with appropriate male or female plumage and head furnishings as they approached maturity, these birds assumed, and retained throughout their lives, the characters and behaviour of the fowl completely gonadectomised before puberty. There was never any reason to assume that the underlying physiological inactivity or actual absence of the gonads was other than the result of some developmental disharmony. No sign or history of disease was ever presented. Our knowledge of the adult characterisation of the fowl experimentally gonadectomised when a few days old, allowed us to recognise that in this group of sexually abnormal birds there were genetic males and females in which the gonadic tissues had been absent or functionally insufficient throughout their lives. In one respect only did these birds (save one) differ from the experimental capon and poularde; their combs were not bloodless and scaly, they were bright and healthy-looking, though very diminutive. After having been kept under observation for two years or more, the birds were killed. Post-mortem examination confirmed our anticipations. In all, there was either complete suppression or else very considerable reduction of gonadic tissue. Such cases as these have an important bearing upon the problem of the relation of gonadic structure and function to plumage characterisation in the fowl. The following cases of gonadic suppression and reduction in birds have been recorded : one duck, Netta rufina, with imperfect male characters and no gonads (Poll, 1909); four pheasant hybrids, Phasianus torquatus X P . colchicus (?) (Smith and Haig Thomas, 1913); Syrmatiens recessi X Phasianus principalis , reciprocal crosses, all females had small flaccid oviduct but no gonadic tissue (Phillips, 1916); pigeons and ringdoves, pure bred and hybrid, sixteen with no gonads, fifteen in which one gonad was abnormally absent, seventeen in which various degrees of reduction in the size of the gonads were exhibited (Riddle, 1925).

鷄ニ於ケル生殖生理ノ研究

The object of the present study is to see the effect of castration on the growth of body and the weight of various organs in the domestic bowl. The results obtained may be summarized as follows.1. On compairing the body weight of thecastrated with that of the normal cocks it is found that the growth of the castrated begins to decrease from 3 weeks after castration. The difference of the body weight between them is remarkable at 6 weeks after castration; since then the castrated cocks grow vigorously and their weight becomes equal to that of the controls.2. As the result of castration the pituitary body is strikingly enlarged, the increase of weight being about 30 per cent in favour of the castrated.3. The thyroid glands of the castrated are considerably heavier than those of the normal cocks, the difference being on the average about 20 per cent.4. As in the mammal the thymus glands of capons are remarkably heavier than those of the normal cocks. When one compares the average weight of the thymus of the capons with that of the normal cocks, it is found that the thymus of the castrated appears to be about 200 per cent. heavier than that of the normal coeks.5. The hearts of the capons are strikingly smaller than those of the normal cocks, the average weight of the organs of capons being about 30 per cent. smaller.6, The male copulatory organ of the domestic fowl was first found by us in the ventral wall of the cloaca. It is found that this organ does not develop after castration; thus only a trace of it is to be found in the cloaca of capons.7. The remarkable effect of castration is also found on the Bursa fabricii which is to be completely disappeared at the sexual maturity. In capons this organ Kiyoshi Masui, Juro Hashimoto and Isamu Ono 37 is found to be the same size as in the young cocks.8. No effect of castration is produced in the weight of the suprarenal, spleen. kidney, pancreas and the length of the long bones.

Studies on Sex Differentiation in Fowls

Studies on Sex Differentiation in Fowls

A PSEUDOHERMAPHRITIC COCK

The subject of this study was described as a hen that crowed and laid eggs but never brooded. Thinking that this might be a ease of “masculismus” with altered endocrine function we secured the bird. It was a little larger than average, weighing 3950 gins. The plumage resembled closely that of a normal hen. It apparently was related to the race of Sebright Bantams. Like the cocks of this race, our animal had a thick and heavy comb— 7 era. long and 2.5 cm. wide. The wattles and ear appendages did not differ appreciably from those of a normal cock. At necropsy the sub-peritoneal fat was found abundant. In front of the vertebral column, at the level of the genital glands, on the right side was seen an oval body, somewhat lobulated in appearance—2.75 cm. long and nearly 2 cm. wide. In form and color it resembled a testis, but its consistency was much firmer than that of a normal testis in this species.