Ovarian responses and serum LH levels after retraction or removal of the oviduct in Japanese quail.

The effects of oviduct removal, oviduct displacement or sham-operation were studied in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). No significant differences were observed between the treatments for body weight, number of follicles larger than or equal to 6 mm diam., or number of ruptured follicles. Retraction or removal of the oviduct resulted in similar significant increases (P less than 0.05) in ovarian weight, diameter of the largest follicle, and serum LH levels when compared with the controls. Injection of yolk into normal hens did not cause any change. It is suggested that the oviduct normally exerts an inhibitory control on ovary growth without appreciable effect on ovulation rate.