Relationship between plasma and tissue corticosterone in laying hens (): implications for stress physiology and animal welfare

This study directly compared the dynamics of change in plasma corticosterone concentration with the dynamics of change in tissue corticosterone concentration in laying hens. In concert, we measured the rate of gluconeogenesis, glycogenesis, and glycolysis in the liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, and heart. We evaluated these changes acutely, over 3 h in response to an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) injection, and chronically, over 24 h in response to food and water deprivation. In response to ACTH injection, there was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in plasma corticosterone concentration and a parallel significant increase in corticosterone concentration in the skeletal muscle, kidney, and heart.

Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - October 1, 2014 Category: Endocrinology Authors: C.R. Ralph, P.H. Hemsworth, B.J. Leury, A.J. Tilbrook Source Type: research