PLASMA-HORMONE LEVELS OF ALBINO (S(AL-C)) AND NON-ALBINO HENS

Albino (s(al-c)) and non-albino (colored) hens from the same origin we re compared for several plasmatic hormonal levels (triiodothyronine (T 3), thyroxine (T4), growth hormone (GH), and corticosterone) before th e onset of laying and after 3-4 months of production. The T3/T4 ratio was higher among albino than among non-albino females at the 2 ages; t his difference approached significance after sexual maturity. The with in-genotype variance of this ratio was higher for s(al-c) hens than fo r non-albino ones (P<0.01). On the other hand, the GH level did not di ffer between the 2 genotypes before the onset of laying, but during la ying it was significantly higher for the s(al-c) females. There are th erefore some differences in the general hormonal balance of the 2 geno types. It is hoped that this may help in an interpretation of the effe cts on egg production associated with the albino gene.