Feed access effects on serum metabolites of hybrid large white male turkeys

A study was conducted utilizing Hybrid Large White male turkeys at 6 wk of age to evaluate feed access effects on various serum metabolite concentrations. Birds deprived of feed for 16 h had lower (P < .05) serum calcium (7.3 vs 8.1 mg/dL), magnesium (2.7 vs 3.2 mEq/L), and triglycerides (45.8 vs 66.6 mg/dL) than birds with ad libitum access to feed. Serum values not impacted (P > .1) by the 16-h feed withdrawal include hematocrit, sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphorus, iron, glucose, total protein, blood urea nitrogen, creatine, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, uric acid, and unsaturated iron-binding capacity.