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Abstract
1. The response of the reproductive system to photostimu‐lation was investigated during the rearing period in dwarf broiler breeder females maintained from hatch on 8 h light/d. The effect of increased body fat on this response was investigated. Body fat was increased by diluting the diet with maize oil.
2. A significant increase in plasma luteinising hormone (LH) was observed 4 d after photostimulation with 20 h light/d at 3 and 15 weeks of age in birds fed the restricted diet alone and at 3, 7, 11, 15 and 19 weeks of age in birds fed the restricted diet diluted with maize oil.
3. Increases in ovarian weight were observed two weeks after photostimulation at 15 weeks of age in birds fed the restricted diet alone and at 7, 11 and 15 weeks of age in birds fed the restricted diet diluted with maize oil. Increases in oviduct weight were seen after photostimulation at 11, 15 and 19 weeks of age in both dietary treatment groups; however, a larger increase in oviduct weight was seen at 15 and 19 weeks of age in birds fed the restricted diet diluted with maize oil.
4. In a second experiment, the dilution of a diet fed ad libitum with maize oil significantly increased body fat content and the baseline concentration of LH but did not enhance the response of the reproductive system to photostimulation.
5. Baseline plasma LH concentrations were lower in birds fed ad libitum than in those fed a restricted diet.
6. It is concluded that the neuroendocrine pathways involved in the transmission of photoperiodic information are functional at 3 weeks of age. The function of the components of the hypothalamo‐pituitary complex which control reproductive activity is enhanced when a restricted diet diluted with maize oil is fed.