Detection of a Presumptive Keto-steroid in the Ovaries and Blood of the Laying Hen

THERE is a considerable body of information on the occurrence of œstrogens and androgens in avian species. Much of the relevant literature has been reviewed by Sturkie 1 , Lorenz 2 and Burrows 3 . In the absence of chemical or spectrophotometric evidence for the nature of the natural avian gonadal hormones, we have attempted to detect steroid œstrogens in extracts of the ovaries and blood of laying hens.