Insulin metabolism and its effect on blood electrolytes and glucose in the turkey hen

Insulin half-life (T1/2) was determined to be similar between egg-laying and non-laying turkey hens, averaging 7.5 vs 8.7 min, respectively. Infused insulin lowered plasma glucose 25% in both groups although the time course of each response was different. Circulating phosphorous decreased 30 min following insulin treatment and returned to preinjection concentrations at the end of sampling. Insulin initiated immediate decreases in plasma calcium and magnesium. It is evident that insulin is involved in electrolyte metabolism as well as glucose metabolism in birds.