HISTOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF THE SHELL GLAND IN LOHMANN BROWN LAYERS ADMINISTERD WITH CRYSTALLINE PROGESTERONE

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the effect of Crystalline Progesterone (CP) on shell gland histology in eighteen Lohmann Brown layers. Completely randomized design was used with each treatment (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mg per bird) administered intramuscularly via the breast muscle and replicated thrice for six weeks. Result revealed similar magnitude (>10 fat cell aggregates) of shell gland fat infiltration between 10 and 15 mg CP treatment groups. It also revealed non atrophic change at all doses. Beyond 15 mg CP, the magnitude of shell gland fat infiltration decreased to 6-10 fat cell aggregates and subsequently remained the same. Shell gland in the 5 mg CP group had no fat infiltration when compared to those in the control group which had 1-3 fat cell aggregates. It has been concluded that, CP affected, shell gland fat infiltration