A Simplified Method for Extracting Androgens From Avian Egg Yolks

Authors

Corinne P. Kozlowski, University of Missouri - St LouisFollow
Joan E. Bauman, Saint Louis Zoo
D. Caldwell Hahn, USGSFollow

Date of this Version

2009

Citation

Zoo Biology 28:137–143 (2009); DOI 10.1002/zoo.20221

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).