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The chicken uropygial gland secretes diester waxes. The component fatty acids are synthesized by gland tissue, not derived from plasma lipids or microbial sources. Injection of [14C]acetate into the gland in vivo results in labelling of the wax fatty acids and uropygiols. Fatty acid synthesis from acetate in the cytosol requires NADPH and ATP. The pattern of fatty acids produced differs from that synthesized by chicken liver cytosol, especially if propionate is also added. ATP citrate lyase (EC 4.1.3.8) and malic enzyme (EC 1.1.1.40) are very active but are much less affected by fasting and re‐feeding than the liver enzymes.

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