Prevention of epinephrine and stress-induced egg laying delay by feeding propranolol to the laying hen.

White Leghorn laying hens fed propranolol (2 to 8 mg/100 g food) were injected subcutaneously with epinephrine (.5 to 4.0 mg) or saline (4.0 ml). The time interval between first and second ovipositions was delayed about 9 to 14 hr in the epinephrine-injected hens and about 4 hr in the saline-injected hens as compared to control hens. When propranolol was added to the food about 24 hr prior to epinephrine or saline injections, delayed ovipositions were prevented. Ovulation occurred in hens having an egg in the shell gland (uterus) after epinephrine injections. These results suggest that propranolol may be added to the food to prevent a fall in laying during stress.