Sexual difference in ascorbic acid synthesis, tissue ascorbic acid and plasma total antioxidant capacity in mature chickens

Abstract

1. An experiment was conducted with commercial White Leghorn type chickens to determine the effect of gender on tissue ascorbic acid concentration, antioxidant capacity and ascorbic acid synthesis. 2. Birds reared and maintained on litter were given a standard layer diet, without supplemental ascorbic acid, from 18 weeks of age. Tissue ascorbic acid concentration, plasma total antioxidant capacity and renal L-gulonolactone oxidase activity were measured at 30 weeks of age. 3. Females and males differed in ascorbic acid synthesis, as measured by renal L-gulonolactone oxidase activity, and tissue ascorbic acid concentration. 4. Plasma total antioxidant capacity and adrenal, gonadal, plasma and pituitary ascorbic acid concentrations were significantly higher in males, whereas ascorbic acid synthesis and splenic and thymic ascorbic acid concentrations were significantly higher in females. 5. L-Gulonolactone oxidase activity was not detected in the comb of cockerels.