Glucose peripheral utilisation in the chicken and duck: growth and meat quality implications

Abstract

Birds have developed original adaptive mechanisms ensuring them an active energy metabolism characterized by a high basal temperature and glycaemia (42°C and 2g/L). Studies completed mostly on agronomic species (chicken, duck) emphasize a specific regulation of glucose homeostasis. In a first part we report some general data on glucose metabolism characteristics and its regulation by insulin in poultry. In a second part we present recent work concerning glucose uptake, its use and storage by the 3 major tissues implied in glucose homeostasis regulation (liver, muscle and fat). The purpose of this fundamental knowledge is to direct applied programs aimed at improving growth and quality of poultry productions.