Abstract
We have developed endocrinological methods to breed avian species artificially. These methods were originally devised for captive artificial breeding of a critically endangered bird. Japanese crested ibis(Nipponia nippon). To estimate the gonadal endocrine activity, we successfully employed the measurement of fecal sex steroid concentrations. In case that a female bird with developed ovary does not ovulate, we may induce ovulation by injecting luteinizing hermone, as already reported in domestic birds. However, in case that a female has completely regressed ovary, we have to induce development of ovarian follicles and then ovulation. We could induce full-devlopment of the ovary by chronically administering a chicken gonadotropin preparation(a glycoprotien fraction of chicken pituitaries)by means of the osmotic pump, and then ovulation followed by oviposition by injecting the chicken gonadotropin preparation that mimics the luteinizing hormone surge.
