Effects of phosphate, prostaglandins, arachidonic acid and arginine vasotocin on oviposition and pigment secretion from the shell gland in Japanese quail

1. Phosphate solution, prostaglandin F(2)alpha and E-2, arachidonic acid an d arginine vasotocin were injected intrauterinely or intravenously into lay ing quail hens 6 h before expected oviposition. Following injections, induc ed ovipositions and secretions of pigament from their shell glands were obs erved. 2. The effects of intrauterine injection with prostaglandins, which induced oviposition and pigment secretion, were not inhibited by pre-injection of indomethacin. 3. Indomethacin completely inhibited the inducing effects on oviposition an d pigment secretion of intrauterine injections with phosphate solution and arachidonic acid. 4. Intravenous injection with arginine vasotocin or prostaglandins also ind uced oviposition and pigment secretion; indomethacin, however, only inhibit ed pigment secretion. 5. It is concluded that the effects of prostaglandins on pigment secretion from the shell gland were demonstrated experimentally.