Changes in Some Ponderal and Metabolic Parameters in Chicks Aged One to Three Months

Abstract

Body and organ weights, water content of some organs, some hematological parameters, glycogen and lipid contents of the liver, ascorbic acid content of the adrenals, and SDH, GPT and GOT activities of hepatic tissue were determined in chicks aged 5 to i weeks. Sharp modifications were found, most of them being concentrated about the age of weeks. This age is characterized by maximal hematocrit value and a very low hemoglobin concentration of the blood, by maximal concentrations of plasma calcium and phosphate, by minimal levels of liver lipids, adrenal ascorbate, blood glucose, and hepatic GOT activity. This a critical period o of the ontogenesis of the domestic fowl seems to imply a switch over of the main energetic role from fats to carbohydrates.

Developmental aspects of bursa of Fabricius and thymus during post-hatching ontogenesis in Gallus domesticus

“…Our present and past (Wittenberger et al, 1976) Glick (1956), the weight of the bursa of Fabricius increases considerably during the first three posthatching weeks, reaches a plateau and finally drops. The period of rapid growth may correspond to a low steroid hormone level, not affecting the bursa of Fabricius.…”