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Updated: Feb 22, 2026

Separation of Avian Preovulatory Follicle Granulosa and Theca Cell Layers for Downstream Applications
Published on: October 25, 2024
Dual functioning ovaries and atresia in chickens. Is it a coincidence?
D A T Sutherland1, C F Honaker1, P B Siegel1
1Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0306.
Abstract:
During the course of a QTL study involving an intercross between White Plymouth Rock chickens and Red Jungle Fowl, certain reproductive anomalies such as atresia and double ovary-oviduct became evident. Observed in reciprocal pedigreed F1 crosses were 2 full-sib pullets with dual functioning ovaries. One also had complete functioning left and right oviducts. The other had asymmetrical reproductive tracts with a typical left oviduct and a rudimentary right oviduct. In addition, there were 3 females with atresia. Although they had different sires and dams, their grandparents were related, and all 5 traced to a common ancestor. Pedigrees, photos, and biological aspects of these conditions are presented and discussed.
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