Changes in insulin, glucose and GH concentrations in fed chickens

Area of Science:

• Animal Physiology
• Endocrinology
• Avian Metabolism

Background:

• Understanding metabolic regulation in broiler chickens is crucial for optimizing growth and feed efficiency.
• Hormonal responses to feeding and fasting influence nutrient utilization and growth performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the dynamic changes in insulin, glucose, and growth hormone concentrations in broiler chickens under fed and fasted conditions.
• To elucidate the temporal hormonal profiles following a meal in young broiler chickens.

Main Methods:

• Blood samples were collected from broiler chickens (5-7 weeks old) at specific intervals: 4 hours pre-feeding, immediately after fasting (0 min), and post-meal (15 min and 30 min).
• Plasma hormone concentrations were determined using a heterologous radioimmunoassay (RIA) with a chicken insulin standard.
• Statistical analysis was performed to compare hormonal levels across different time points.

Main Results:

• Insulin concentrations decreased significantly during fasting and increased post-meal, returning to pre-fasted levels within 15 minutes.
• Glucose concentrations generally correlated with insulin levels, except at the 30-minute post-meal mark.
• Growth hormone (GH) levels showed no significant change at -4, 0, or 15 minutes but increased at 30 minutes post-meal (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Broiler chickens exhibit rapid hormonal adjustments in insulin and glucose in response to feeding and fasting.
• Growth hormone release is delayed post-meal, suggesting a distinct regulatory mechanism compared to insulin and glucose.
• These findings provide insights into the endocrine regulation of metabolism in growing broiler chickens.