Apparent independence of glucose tolerance and body fat content in 8-week-old broilers

1. A possible relationship between glucose tolerance and body-fat content was examined in broilers selected at 2 and 4 weeks of age for fast or slow glucose disposal. 2. At 8 weeks of age, selected chickens were different in glucose tolerance but similar in body weight, food conversion efficiency, carcass composition and glucose-induced insulin release. 3. Therefore, variations in glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity which are detectable at an early age, do not appear to be related to body composition in 8-week-old broilers.