Abstract
The concentrations of insulin, glucose and growth hormone were examined in chickens during the fed and fasted states. In broiler chickens between 5 and 7 weeks of age, blood samples were drawn at intervals which reflected fed (−4 hr), fasted (+0 min) and post meal states (+15 min, immediately after a 15 min meal (and +30 min). Plasma was assayed using a chicken insulin standard in a heterologous RIA. Overall insulin averages, reflecting averaged values for 10 birds/day and 5 replications revealed a decrease with fasting and an increase post-meal. Insulin levels returned to pre-fasted concentrations within 15 min of meal termination. Changes in glucose concentrations correlated with those of insulin with the exception of the +30 min period. When insulin levels were observed in chickens where no food was consumed, insulin levels at +0 and +15 min were not different. No difference in GH concentration occurred at −4 hr, +0 or +15 min but the +30 min value increased ( p<0.05).
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