Functional Avian Endocrinology provides a comprehensive review of the current state of research into all aspects relating to hormones in birds, how they respond and adapt to their natural environment, and domestic poultry, aimed at improving commercial production and breeding.

Many of the advances in avian endocrinology have been possible through the development of research tools. Perhaps the most important and recent of these is DNA microarray technology, which makes it possible to identify novel genes underlying endocrine function.

The first section of this book describes this technique and illustrates the way this technology is being used to open up new opportunities for avian endocrinologists. Further sections cover neuroendocrinology, behaviour, seasonality, reproduction, stress, ontogeny of the endocrine system, and the possible consequences of endocrine disrupting chemicals.