Changes in glucose and lipid metabolism in starved or starved-refed Japanese quail (coturnix coturnix japonica) in relation to fine structure of liver cells.
1. Metabolic response of adult quail to fasting or refeeding was studied by measuring the main blood and hepatic metabolites. Moreover, the fine structure of hepatocytes in these physiological conditions was described. 2. Starvation or refeeding did not affect glycemia in male as in female quails. 3. Fasting had no effect on plasma free fatty acids in female quails, whereas plasma triglycerides were markedly decreased. 4. In fasted quails, there was an active ketogenesis with a high 3-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate ratio. 5. Ultrastructural aspect of liver parenchymal cells from fasted quails revealed alterations in the quantity of glycogen, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes and in the form of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. 6. The significance of these morphological changes was discussed in relation to an hormonal stimulation.
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D003370:Coturnix / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011784:Quail / Q000378:metabolism*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013217:Starvation / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D005947:Glucose