Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2004, 49(12):511-516 | DOI: 10.17221/4338-CJAS

Sex reversed chicks (Gallus domesticus) hatched from eggs treated with aromatase inhibitor YM511

P. Trefil1, A. Mičáková1, J. Mucksová1, M. Poplštein1, J.-P. Brillard2, P. Hodek3
1 BIOPHARM, Research Institute of Biopharmacy and Veterinary Drugs, Jílové near Prague, Czech Republic
2 INRA, Centre de Tours-Nouzilly, Station de Recherches Avicoles, Nouzilly, France
3 Department of Biochemistry, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

The objectives of this study were to assess post-hatch development of chickens treated in ovo with the aromatase inhibitor YM511. A total of 137 eggs coming from artificially inseminated hens were at first injected in the albumen with either DMSO alone (54 eggs injected, control group) or with DMSO + aromatase inhibitor (YM511, 1 mg/egg, 83 eggs injected, treated group) and then incubated under standard conditions. Out of the 24 chicks hatched in the treated group, 16 were genetic males (ZZ) and 8 were genetic females (ZW). By 26 weeks of age, secondary sex characteristics of females (cloaca, comb, wattles, song, feathers of hackle and tail) progressively transformed into a male phenotype. Using CT-scanner technology in these 8 birds, the presence of irregular testis-like masses positioned in the antero-ventral portion of the kidneys was observable, an indication that reproductive organs had also been affected by the treatment.

Keywords: aromatase; inhibitor; sex reversal; chicken

Published: December 31, 2004  Show citation

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Trefil P, Mičáková A, Mucksová J, Poplštein M, Brillard J-P, Hodek P. Sex reversed chicks (Gallus domesticus) hatched from eggs treated with aromatase inhibitor YM511. Czech J. Anim. Sci. 2004;49(12):511-516. doi: 10.17221/4338-CJAS.
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