Effect of glucocorticoids on gastrointestinal emptying in young broilers.
1. The rates of gastrointestinal (GI) emptying of 8- and 15-d-old chickens treated with 17-hydroxycorticosterone was measured using 14C-polyethylene glycol-4000. 2. The rate of progression of intraluminal contents along the GI tract was decreased by 17-hydroxycorticosterone in both 8- and 15-d-old chickens. Glucocorticoid treatment only delayed the rate of progression of intraluminal contents along the large intestine of the older birds. 3. Delayed transit of intraluminal contents could be explained by a precocious maturation of chick GI tract, induced by glucocorticoids. Loss of responsiveness to glucocorticoids occurs during the second week after hatching, except in the large intestine.
Tur
J
J
Departiment de Biologia i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Esteban
S
S
Rayó
J M
JM
Moreno
M
M
Miralles
A
A
Tur
J A
JA
D015065:17-Hydroxycorticosteroids / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects*; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male
D015065:17-Hydroxycorticosteroids; D005938:Glucocorticoids