The Effect of Arginine Vasotocin and Prostaglandins on Oviposition in the Domestic Fowl (Gallus domesticus)

Abstract

Arginine vasotocin (AVT), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α) in-duced premature oviposition when injected 1-4h (hard-shell egg in uterus) and 15-19h (soft-shell egg in uterus) before the expected laying time.These drugs were more effective in inducing oviposition when a hard-shell egg was in the uterus than when a soft-shell egg was in the uterus. AVT caused an increase in im-munoreactive PGE2 production when incubated with uterine homogenate.The present results suggest that the sensitivity of the hen uterus to AVT, PGE₂ and PGF_2α increases as the time of oviposition approaches and that AVT acts through the enhan cement of immunoreactive PGE₂ production in the uterine tissue of hens.