Age-dependent role of steroids in the regulation of growth of the hen follicular wall

Table 2 The total volume of pre-ovulatory follicles and plasma steroid concentrations in hens of different ages and reproductive states

Group of hens	Interval between ovulations (h)	Stage/Estimated time after ovulation (h)	Number of hens	Total follicular volume (cm³)	Plasma estradiol-17β concentration (pg/ml)	Plasma testosterone concentration (pg/ml)	Plasma progesterone concentration (pg/ml)
YLC	24.0 ± 0.1^a	I/1.5	6	31.8 ± 1.3^c	486 ± 55	368 ± 66	224 ± 80
		II/14.5	6	43.2 ± 2.6**	248 ± 54**	372 ± 72	458 ± 120
OLC	24.1 ± 0.1^a	I/1.5	6	35.7 ± 2.0	539 ± 23	510 ± 47	405 ± 84
		II/14.5	6	46.4 ± 2.5**	289 ± 29***	426 ± 51	773 ± 118
OSC	25.6 ± 0.2^b	I/1.5	10	41.2 ± 1.9^d	494 ± 50	410 ± 33	503 ± 129
		II/14.5	6	39.6 ± 1.6	335 ± 24*	385 ± 50	457 ± 96
OILC ¹	24.4 ± 0.2^a	II/15	7	46.8 ± 2.2	259 ± 32	365 ± 48	627 ± 136

¹ the Control group of the OILC hens (Experiment 2). Data were expressed as means ± SEM. Means with different superscripts within a column differ significantly (at least P < 0.01). Asterisks indicate differences between 1.5 and 14.5 h after ovulation within a group of hens: *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001.

ISSN: 1477-7827