ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE ROLES IN AVIAN REPRODUCTION: A SYNTHESIS OF EXISTING DATA

Abstract

Thus, the current research concentration is on the functional effects of estrogen and progesterone on avian reproduction, which will include synthesizing secondary data from the literature as secondary data analysis. Estrogen promotes oocyte formation, vitellogenesis and the expression of most secondary sexual characters while progesterone controls ovulation, egg lay and ensures integrity of the reproductive tract. These hormones in consort operate harmoniously to regulate reproductive activities and other related behaviors that are critical for reproductive endeavor including nest building and incubation. The synthesis points to variations of hormonal roles between bird species as well as differences detected between domesticated and wild birds, and also variations attributed to various ecological factors. Despite these transitions, certain gaps can still be seen: Insufficient data on hormones’ interactions in many species and the assessment of environmental stressors in avian reproductive endocrinology. Here, the results have significant implications for conservation and breeding programs in general and endangered species in particular, whose reproduction can be improved through knowing how they are regulated hormonally. Although the comprehensive and innovative studies conducted in this research clearly reveal gaps in both hormonal data  and ecology/behavior, further research should focus on the cooperation of these two areas in order to correct these weaknesses and improve conservation practices. This synthesis points to the discreet role of estrogen and progesterone in the avian biology and reassesses them in the context of global bird conservation and ecosystem resilience.