Triploidy and intersexuality in adult commercial layers.

The cause of masculinisation of the left ovary and the outgrowth of the vestigial right gonad was investigated in intersexual hens. Tumour-like cell masses, resembling mouse tubular adenomas of the ovary, were observed in the majority of masculinised left gonads. Except for one male and two intersexuals, testosterone concentrations were below detectable levels.

Non-infective factors in the aetiology of synovitis in chickens.

A study was conducted to elucidate the relative susceptibility of broiler breed birds to synovitis and the relative resistance of laying breed birds to this disease. It was shown that difference in structure and chemical composition of fibrous connective tissue can be associated with this difference in susceptibility. A loose structure of fibrous connective tissue (common in broiler breed birds) appears to predispose to synovitis, whereas a compact structure (common in laying breed birds) can be associated with resistance to synovitis.

A case of Aujeszky's disease virus infection in young chicks.

On a rearing farm with 96,000 birds, 10,000 three and four days old chicks died with nervous symptoms. A virus was isolated from the brains and identified as an Aujeszky's disease virus. The isolate was very pathogenic for chickens up to about 7 days of age, causing mortality after parenteral injection (intracerebral, intraperitoneal, intramuscular) but not after oral, eye drop or spray application.

Contribution to the aetiology of synovitis in chickens, with special reference to non-infective factors. V. Extractability of glucosaminoglycans/mucoproteins from tendon tissue.

A comparative study was undertaken regarding the extractability of glucosaminoglycans and mucoproteins in the tendon tissue of birds highly susceptible to synovitis, viz.broiler breed cocks (BB cocks), and of birds highly resistant to synovitis. viz.