Evaluation of the Ovulated Follicle Technique as a means of Determining Pheasant Production

A study of the ovulated follicle technique for determining egg production in pheasants was conducted during 1967 - 1969. Evidence indicated collection of wild hens for follicle counts should be between 5 and 14 weeks after cessation of laying. Questionable follicles encountered should be considered ovulated follicles and included in the counts. Most questionable follicles were believed to originate from ovulated atretic follicles that were harder to identify because of their particular stage of regression. The influence of freezing on atretic follicle counts was studied, and no adverse effects were found. A technique was developed for selectively staining atretic follicles. Faded or obscure atretic follicles were more easily identified when stained. Counts of ovulated atretic follicles from stained material were significantly more accurate than counts from unstained material. The accuracy of the technique 1\u27/as sufficiently demonstrated to justify its use for the prediction of mean egg production. Variability between counts of different investigators was not significant