Effects of testosterone on hepatic lipid metabolism in the mature female domestic fowl.

Abstract

Department of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, The Queen's University of Belfast, Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PX, and Department of Agriculture, Northern Ireland (Received 1 July 1977) Before the onset of egg laying in the domestic fowl, there are increases in the lipid content of the plasma and liver (Chaikoff, Lorenz & Entenman, 1941; Heald & Badman, 1963). These changes are the result of oestrogen secretion by the ovary (Sturkie, 1965). Hepatic lipogenic enzymes also increase in activity during the onset of sexual maturity and their specific activities are greater in the laying hen than in the mature cockerel (Pearce, 1971); similar changes in the activities of hepatic lipogenic enzymes have been observed in oestrogen-treated immature pullets (Balnave & Pearce, 1974). The synthesis of yolk proteins in the liver is also induced by the administration of oestrogen to immature pullets and cockerels (Gruber, 1972). The action of oestrogen is antagonized by