Variation in the release of thyroxine, triiodothyronine and growth hormone in response to thyrotrophin releasing hormone during development of the domestic fowl

In newly hatched chicks, TRH administration was followed by increased circulating concentrations of growth hormone (GH), thyroxine (T4) and 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3). Little change in the circulating concentration of 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (rT3) was however observed. The effect of TRH on the circulating concentration of GH was not found in chick embryos at 17 or 19 days of incubation but was observed during pipping. The T4 response was maximal in newly hatched chicks and present in 17 and 19 days embryos. The magnitude of the T3 responses increased with age while that of T4 decreased.