Unrestricted Feed Intake Induces β-Cell Death and Impairs Insulin Secretion in Broiler Breeder Hens

Abstract

Past studies regarding to insulin secretion and glucose disposal in chickens were focused on rapidly growing juvenile broilers and may not reflect glucose/insulin physiology in adulthood. The study aimed to assess insulin secretion and glucose disposal in respect to restricted (R) vs. ad libitum (Ad) feed intake for obesity development in broiler breeder hens. Hens at age of 26 weeks were continued on R rations, or allowed Ad-feed intake up to 45 weeks. Results from prandial changes and glucose tolerance test suggested that Ad-feed intake to 45 weeks impaired insulin secretion and glucose clearance, and, thus, caused hyperglycemia in accompany with transient hyperinsulinemia at age of 33 weeks (p p p p < 0.05). Results support the conclusion that release to Ad-feed intake in broiler breeder hens transiently induced hyperinsulinemia along rapid bodyweight gain and adiposity, but later provoked lipotoxicity and inflammation leading to β-cell apoptosis and ultimately impaired insulin secretion and glucose disposal.

Keywords

• broiler breeder hens
• β-cells
• apoptosis
• insulin secretion
• glucose disposal