RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CROP REPLETION AND H EPATIC COMPOSITION IN FORCE-FED MULE DUCKS

Two batches of male mule ducks were constituted on the basis of the fi lling state of the crop at slaughter, after being over-fed twice a day for 5 days: no corn in the crop defined 'OV' birds, and corn in the c rop defined 'OP' birds. 'OP' animals presented significantly lower dai ly consumption during the last 3 days of force-feeding. They had a lig hter liver weight than 'OV' ducks (178 versus 197 g), lower hepatic li pid percentages (25.0 versus 33.0 %), and enhanced hepatic glycogen ra tes (4.7 versus 2.4 %). Metabolic state of animals might explain these variations in hepatic composition. Unadaptation to force-feeding modi fies the metabolic inbalance of the over-fed animals and consequently induces higher levels of carbohydrate. These results suggest that simi lar differences between crude fatty livers could be reflected in the q uality of the cooked products. (C) Inra/Elsevier, Paris.