THE EFFECT OF HEPARIN INJECTION ON LAYING TURKEY HEN VERY-LOW-DENSITYLIPOPROTEIN METABOLISM IN SEXUALLY IMMATURE AND LAYING TURKEY HENS

The effect of heparin injection (200 U/kg) on the metabolism of lipid labeled very-low-density lipoprotein from laying turkey hens (VLDL-L) was determined in laying and non-laying turkey hens. Injection of hepa rin induced an immediate increase in plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) that persisted for 1 hr in both laying and sexually immature h ens. The rates of metabolism of radio-labeled VLDL-L triacylglycerol ( TG) and phospholipid (PL) were not altered by heparin injection. In la ying hens, heparin injection reduced the uptake of VLDL-L by yolky ova rian follicles in the phase of rapid development. Radioactivity from V LDL-L lipid was incorporated into carcass lipids in sexually immature hens, but not in laying hens.