Some biochemical and physiological effects of AY-9944 on laying hens

Abstract

The action of trans-1, 4-bis(2-chlorobenzylaminomethyl)cyclohexane dihydrochloride (AY-9944) on laying hens was studied. When 2 μmoles of the drug per kilogram of body weight was administered (per os) daily during 20 days, egg production, although greatly reduced, was maintained at a level of approximately 20% compared with 70–80% for the control animals. With a dose of 10 μmoles, egg production was completely stopped within 10 days. Egg laying was gradually restored when treatment was stopped. The weight of whole eggs, yolks, and albumen was decreased by AY-9944, and egg yolks obtained from the treated hens showed important modifications in some of their sterols. A marked loss of feathers, accompanied by the appearance of a rough plumage, was also observed during treatment.