METABOLIC RESPONSES OF THE TURKEY HEN (MELEAGRIS-GALLOPAVO) TO AN INTRAVENOUS-INJECTION OF CHICKEN OR PORCINE GLUCAGON

The purpose of this study was to compare the metabolism of chicken and porcine glucagon in the turkey hen. Six hens each were infused with e ither porcine or chicken glucagon (16.6 mu g/kg body weight). Blood sa mples were obtained at intervals pre- and post-infusion and analyzed f or glucagon, glucose, insulin, free fatty acids, thyroxine (T-4) and t riiodothyronine (T-3). The half-life (T-1/2) of porcine (4.5 min) and chicken glucagon (5.5 min) were similar. A 13% increase in glucose con centrations occurred within 10 min and remained elevated (22%) for 2 h r. A concomitant increase in insulin was noted, though not significant from pre-injection levels. A 50% increase in free fatty acids occurre d in 2 min, reaching a zenith at 10-15 min post-treatment, and returne d to baseline by 2 hr. Significant (P < 0.05) decreases in the circula ting concentrations of both T-3 and T-4 hormones were observed within 5-10 min post-glucagon treatment and remained suppressed for the durat ion of sampling. These data indicate that the hormonal and metabolic r esponses of female turkeys to mammalian and avian glucagon are similar .