Effects of dietary protein deficiency on hepatic carbohydrate metabolism in geese

This paper was aimed at following up the course of glucose in the liver of protein underfed geese. Compared to normally fed geese, liver carbohydrate metabolism in protein underfed animals can be characterised by lowering of free glucose content of in vitro glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis and reduction of carbohydrates in total oxidation. Glycogen content of the liver and rate of glucose oxidation were also lowered, but these differences were not statistically significant. Summing up our results and taking into consideration some literature data, an overall reduction of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism in protein underfed birds may be assumed.