Hypothalamic -pituitary axis changes related to growth rate in Kołudzka White geese

The experiment was conducted at the Kołuda Wielka Experimental Station of the National Research Institute of Animal Production (Kołuda Wielka, Poland). All birds were kept in semi-intensive rearing system according to the oat-fattening technology. At 15.5 weeks of age, 8 geese were selected and divided into two groups (n=4) depending on final body weight. Group I (light) were geese with the flock average weight of 7,10 kg, group II (heavy) consisted of geese with above-average growth potential, which achieved a body weight of 7,95 kg during the same time. Up to 20 min after slaughter, the whole pituitary and hypothalamus were collected and stabilized in RNAlater solution to RNA isolation purpose. The pituitary/ hypothalamus hormonal changes related to growth rate in geese, experiment was supported by statuatory activity of National Research Institute of Animal Production 08-12-01-12