Development of the Testes and Combs of White Leghorn and New Hampshire Cockerels

THE development of the sex organs in the male domestic fowl is of concern to poultry breeders as well as scientific workers. During the late summer and fall months relatively large percentages of infertile eggs are often produced by matings in which yearling and older cocks are used. With an increasing tendency toward fall hatching in some sections this infertility results in considerable economic loss. The possibility of using early hatched cockerels as breeders makes it desirable to have information on the sexual development of young males. Additional data on the normal development of the sex organs of chicks should prove of some interest to the endocrinologist. The studies described herein constitute one phase of a project investigating some factors affecting the fertility of the domestic cock. The work was done at the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station. REVIEW OF LITERATURE Studies of the development of testes and combs of male . . .