Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the physiology, ecology, and behavior of
hormones in avian eggs. The main source of hormones found in avian eggs is the maturing
follicles of the female ovary that contain specialized cells creating different hormones during
their development. The granulosa cells of the largest preovulatory follicles (F1) are the main
source of circulating progesterone. Theca cells produce both estrogen and androgens, and
the production decreases with increasing follicular maturation. Postovulatory follicles …