Study of Carbon-14 Labeled Sterculic Acid in Chickens

Abstract

Recently the synthesis of methyl-(9, 10 methylene)-octadec-9-enoate (methyl sterculate) has been reported by Gensler et al. (1970) and Altenburger et al. (1970). In the present study (methylene-14 C)-sterculic acid was synthesized and administered to laying hens in order to determine whether the acid was metabolized or accumulated in the animal. (Methylene-14 C)-methyl sterculate was prepared from methyl stearolate and 14 C-diazomethane (Altenburger et al., 1970) and hydrolyzed to 14 C-sterculic acid for intravenous injection into twelve-month old S.C. White Leghorn hens. Two of the three birds were fasted for 24 hours after injection and then sacrificed. A third bird was fed a standard laying diet and sacrificed after five days. The experimental procedure and the preparation of the samples was described by Berry et al. (1969). Samples were prepared from ovaries, liver, heart, blood and fat tissues (abdominal and skin fat), from daily collected feces and eggs and from carbon dioxide in…