Technical Report

A simplified method for extracting androgens from avian egg yolks

  1. Corinne P. Kozlowski1,2,*,
  2. Joan E. Bauman1,
  3. D. Caldwell Hahn3

Article first published online: 17 NOV 2008

DOI: 10.1002/zoo.20221

Issue

Zoo Biology

Zoo Biology

Volume 28, Issue 2, pages 137–143, March/April 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Kozlowski, C. P., Bauman, J. E. and Caldwell Hahn, D. (2009), A simplified method for extracting androgens from avian egg yolks. Zoo Biology, 28: 137–143. doi: 10.1002/zoo.20221

Author Information

  1. 1

    Research Department, Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO

  2. 2

    Department of Biology, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, MO

  3. 3

    USGS-Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD

*Research Department, Saint Louis Zoo, 1 Government Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63110

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 2 APR 2009
  2. Article first published online: 17 NOV 2008
  3. Manuscript Received: 7 DEC 2008
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 30 APR 2008

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Keywords:

  • testosterone;
  • androstenedione;
  • extraction;
  • avian yolk;
  • radioimmunoassay

Abstract

Female birds deposit significant amounts of steroid hormones into the yolks of their eggs. Studies have demonstrated that these hormones, particularly androgens, affect nestling growth and development. In order to measure androgen concentrations in avian egg yolks, most authors follow the extraction methods outlined by Schwabl (1993. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 90:11446–11450). We describe a simplified method for extracting androgens from avian egg yolks. Our method, which has been validated through recovery and linearity experiments, consists of a single ethanol precipitation that produces substantially higher recoveries than those reported by Schwabl (1993. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 90:11446–11450). Zoo Biol 28:137–143, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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