The Effect of Temperature on the Uropygial Gland Alkane Diol Diesters in the Kn Mutation of the Domestic Chicken

Abstract

Lipids from the uropygial glands of Kn/Kn males raised at 34.4 C, and Kn/Kn and k+/k+ males raised at 22.2 C were quantitatively analyzed to determine if lowering the metabolic rate of this semi-naked mutant would alter the composition of its uropygial gland lipids. No significant differences were found between the two Kn/Kn groups in fatty acid or diol composition. Body weights also did not significantly differ nor did total gland weight as a percent of body weight or lipid weight as a percent of total gland weight. The only significant difference was in comb weight as a percent of body weight. The Kn/Kn males raised at 34.4 C had much larger combs as compared to the Kn/Kn males raised at 22.2 C.