Histochemical studies on the uropygial gland of domestic fowls have shown the presence of sterols (among which cholesterol and its esters) in the lipidic fraction of the gland secret. beta-Glucuronidase activity beside A5 3beta- and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities suggests that uropygial gland might be involved in sterols metabolism. By thin layer chromatography cholesterol and 7-dehydrocholesterol can be separated from the uropygial extracts and these compounds can be identified in gas liquid chromatography.