International Journal of Poultry Science 13 (9): 504-509, 2014 ISSN 1682-8356 © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2014 Corresponding Author: Tyas Rini Saraswati, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sains and Mathematic, Diponegoro University, Tembalang Campus, Semarang 50275, Semarang-Indonesia 504 Effect of Turmeric Powder to Estriol and Progesterone Hormone Profile of Laying Hens During One Cycle of Ovulation Tyas Rini Saraswati , Wasmen Manalu , Damiana Rita Ekastuti and Nastiti Kusumorini 1 2 2 2 Department of Biology, Faculty of Sains and Mathematic, Diponegoro University, 1 Tembalang Campus, Semarang-50275, Semarang, Indonesia Department of AFF, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bogor Agricultural Institute, 2 IPB Campus, Darmaga, Bogor-16680, Bogor, Indonesia Abstract: This research was designed to study the profile of the hormones estriol, progesterone, in the blood during a cycle of ovulation in controlled laying hens and laying hens that treated by giving the turmeric powder. Determination of hormone profile was done on laying hens. Six laying hens aged 20 month were divided into two experimental unit. Each experimental unit consist of three laying hens i.e., P0: control (not supplemented with turmeric powder), P1: turmeric powder supplementation at a dose of 405 mg/laying hens/day for a month. Blood was drawn via jugular vein by 4 mL. Blood sampling performed every 2 h starting after hen lay eggs during a cycle of ovulation, then retrieved and analyzed the serum levels of estrogen and progesterone. The data graphed to determine the profile of the hormones estrogen, progesterone and compared between the controlled and the treated with turmeric powder. The results showed that administration of turmeric powder can shorten the cycle of ovulation about 5 h 35 min. Turmeric powder did not affect the pattern of fluctuations in the hormone progesterone. There are 4 progesterone peaks during the first cycle of ovulation both in controlled laying hens and laying hens that treated with turmeric powder. There was a change to the hormone estriol fluctuations. In controlled laying hens takes four peaks hormone estriol in an ovulatory cycle, whereas in laying hen treated with turmeric powder was 1 hormone estriol peak occurring approximately 15 h before ovulation. Key words: Estriol, laying hens, progesterone, turmeric powder INTRODUCTION In birds, as in other vertebrates, reproduction is controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis with each component secreting specific neuropeptides or hormone (Bedecarrats et al., 2009). Ovulation cycle is regulated by hormonal mechanisms (Kumar and Sait, 2011). The hormone estriol is one of reproductive steroid hormones (Golzieher and Castracane, 2008). Estrogen synthesis occurs in the cells of theca and granulosa cells of the ovary (Wojtysiak and Kapkowska, 2005). Cholesterol is a steroid hormone precursor, the formation through a series of enzymatic reactions (Levi et al., 2009). Estrogen production in small follicles (Wojtysiak and Kapkowska, 2005). Its associated with the enzymes in the theca layer that plays a role in the biosynthesis of steroid as P450 aromatase converts testosterone into estrogen. The small follicles and ovarian stroma containing more than 50% of aromatase that produces 85% of estrogen (Amstrong, 1984). Hundreds of follicles has potential becomes an egg that containing egg yolk. Ovarian follicular hierarchy is a series of follicles with a different diameter. Ovulation is reached after follicles mature (Buchanan et al., 2002). Most of the follicles are not ovulate, but many follicles participate in producing steroid hormones from ovaries. In the early stages of follicular development, small follicles begin to produce estrogen and androgen (Etches, 1996). When follicles start to form yolk, estrogen production in this follicle begins decline (Amstrong, 1984). For several hours before ovulation, only the largest follicle produce progesterone. Increase concentrations of progesterone will stimulate secretion of GnRH by the hypothalamus. GnRH secretion into the portal vessels of the hypothalamus initiate gonadotropin pituitary LH secretion and increase the secretion of gonadotropins. Level increased of LH in the blood stimulates the secretion of progesterone. Positive feedback loop between progesterone and LH will result preovulation yolk that causes tearing of the follicle. Release of yolk from the follicle at ovulation occurs when stigma ripped (Etches, 1996; Doi et al., 1980). The release of the yolk (the process of ovulation), is the major controlling factor influencing the subsequent steps in the formation and laying of the egg. Female reproductive tract in the form of an ovum in the oviduct will receive 15 min after ovulation and will provide