Hormones and growth in poultry.

The hormonal control of growth in poultry and other species is complex. The available evidence supports the concept that growth hormone and the thyroid hormones are the principal hormones responsible for the attainment of normal growth in the domestic fowl. Other hormones, including somatomedins, epidermal growth hormone, sex steroids, and vitamin D metabolites, are also involved in the control of growth. Considerable study will be required for the elucidation of the exact roles of the various hormones in avian growth.