Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 26, 2026

An In Ovo Model for Testing Insulin-mimetic Compounds
06:09

An In Ovo Model for Testing Insulin-mimetic Compounds

Published on: April 23, 2018

Insulin-glucose interactions characterised in newly hatched broiler chicks

Y Tokushima1, B Sulistiyanto, K Takahashi

  • 1Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.

British Poultry Science
|February 18, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Newly hatched broiler chicks exhibit distinct insulin-glucose interactions, featuring low insulin levels and high insulin sensitivity. This sensitivity influences glucose regulation differently in young chicks compared to older ones.

Area of Science:

  • Animal Physiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Poultry Science

Background:

  • Insulin and glucose regulation are critical for metabolic homeostasis in young animals.
  • Understanding these interactions in broiler chicks is essential for optimizing growth and health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the specificity of insulin-glucose interactions in newly hatched broiler chicks.
  • To characterize the developmental changes in insulin sensitivity and glucose response.

Main Methods:

  • Measurement of plasma insulin and glucose concentrations in broiler chicks at various ages (1 to 28 days).
  • Administration of exogenous insulin (10 and 40 microg/kg BW) to assess hypoglycemic effects.
  • Comparison of insulin sensitivity and glucose response between different age groups.

Main Results:

  • Plasma insulin concentrations were lower in 1-day-old chicks, increasing up to day 7, and remained lower than in older chickens (10-28 days).
  • Exogenous insulin injection caused a greater magnitude but shorter duration hypoglycemic effect in 1-day-old chicks compared to 21-day-old chicks.
  • The decrease in plasma glucose was more pronounced in 1- to 7-day-old chicks than in 14- to 21-day-old chickens.

Conclusions:

  • Newly hatched broiler chicks display unique insulin-glucose dynamics, characterized by low basal insulin and heightened insulin sensitivity.
  • These findings suggest a critical period of metabolic development influencing glucose homeostasis in early broiler life.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Preadipocytes from Broiler Chick Embryos06:32

Isolation of Preadipocytes from Broiler Chick Embryos

Published on: August 4, 2022

Characterization of Metabolic Status in Nonhuman Primates with the Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test06:59

Characterization of Metabolic Status in Nonhuman Primates with the Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test

Published on: November 13, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose01:16

Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose

Insulin is released by beta cells of the pancreas when blood glucose levels are high. It facilitates glucose absorption and utilization in insulin-dependent cells with insulin receptors on their plasma membranes. Insulin promotes glucose uptake by increasing the number of glucose transport proteins in the cell membrane, allowing glucose to enter the cell. As a result, glucose utilization and ATP production are enhanced.
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon01:15

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon

Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion01:27

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion

The pancreatic islets comprising only 1%-2% of the volume are highly vascularized and innervated mini-organs. They contain five endocrine cell types, including β cells that secrete insulin, which is synthesized as a single polypeptide chain, preproinsulin, processed to proinsulin, and finally to insulin and C-peptide. This process is complex and regulated, involving the Golgi complex, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the secretory granules of the β cell.
Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides01:06

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides

Repaglinide (Prandin) and Nateglinide (Starlix), known as glinides, are oral insulin secretagogues that stimulate insulin release from pancreatic β cells by closing the ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP channel). Repaglinide controls insulin release from pancreatic β cells by managing potassium efflux. It shares two binding sites with sulfonylureas and also has a unique site, indicating overlapping mechanisms of action. With a rapid onset and a 4-7 hour duration, it effectively manages...
Insulin Secretory Vesicles01:05

Insulin Secretory Vesicles

Insulin secretory vesicles release insulin to stimulate blood glucose uptake and regulate carbohydrate metabolism. When the blood glucose levels increase, glucose enters the pancreatic β-islet cells through glucose transporters. Once inside, glucose is metabolized through glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain, producing ATP. This increase in ATP concentration closes ATP-sensitive potassium channels, leading to depolarization of the membrane and the opening of...
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects01:16

Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects

Insulin-replacement therapy usually includes both long-acting insulin (basal) and short-acting insulin (to cater to postprandial needs). In a diverse group of type 1 diabetes patients, the average daily insulin dose is typically 0.5-0.7 units/kg body weight. However, obese patients and pubertal adolescents may need more due to insulin resistance.
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...