Effect of prolactin on estradiol and progesterone secretion by isolated chicken ovarian follicles.

In nonbroody birds, participation of prolactin in the reproductive functions is still unknown and its role in the local regulation of ovarian activity has had little attention. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine whether in the domestic hen prolactin influences in vitro steroid secretion by white and yellow chicken ovarian follicles. Small white (1-4 mm), medium white (4-6 mm), large white (6-8 mm) and 3 largest yellow preovulatory follicles (F3-F1; F3