Intestinal function and reproductive capacity of Tegel pullets in response to exogenous oestrogen.

The effects of varying levels of exogenous oestrogen (E2) (0, 10 or 100 micrograms E2/kg BW) on the development of 18-week old pullets were tested over a 28-day period. The hormone had no significant effects on feed intake, body growth, feed conversion ratio or weight of the oviduct. Similarly, there were no significant effects of the hormone on egg production and egg weight but eggshell thickness and weight of shell per unit area were increased (P < 0.05) at a lower level of administration (10 micrograms E2/kg BW), compared to the control and the highest level of hormone. The morphometry of the jejunal mucosa and some enzymes associated with Ca transport were similar between the three groups. Oestrogen treatment, however, intensely enhanced the expression of calbindin D22K, although this was not quantified.