EFFECTS OF SEX-LINKED IMPERFECT ALBINISM IN THE CHICKEN (S(AL-C)) ON PLASMA LUTEINIZING-HORMONE CONCENTRATIONS AND EARLY EGG-PRODUCTION

1. When measured before and after the onset of darkness, plasma LH con centrations in 40-day-old sex-linked albino pullets (s(al-c)) were sli ghtly lower than those of nonalbinos (s(+)). 2. This finding prompted an experiment in which plasma LH concentrations were measured between 12 and 33 weeks of age when daylength was increased at 15 or 21 weeks. Egg production of the early and late maturing albino hens was measure d. 3. Plasma LH concentrations overall and at 17 weeks were lower for albinos than for nonalbinos. In the early maturing group egg productio n of albinos was higher than that of nonalbinos. 4. Results suggest th at increased egg production of albinos is not the direct result of dif ferences in plasma LH concentrations but may be a consequence of diffe rences in the control of LH secretion