title: Utilization of the sex-linked gene for imperfect albinism (S*ALS). 2. Yolk sac lipid utilization.
abstract: The gene for sex-linked imperfect albinism (S*ALS) has been associated with reduced early growth and slow utilization of the yolk sac contents. Neonatal growth was studied using albino and nonalbino full siblings that were dissected at 2-d intervals from Day 16 of incubation to 7 d after hatch. Fatty acid composition of the yolk, yolk sac membrane, and liver was determined to study neonatal lipid metabolism. At hatch, albinos had similar BW and lower (P < 0.01) liver weights, suggesting reduced lipid transfer from the yolk sac during late incubation. Nonalbinos started gaining weight at 3 d after hatch, 1 d earlier than albino chicks. Albinos had reduced growth (P < 0.01), larger yolk sacs (P < 0.05), and similar (P > 0.05) yolk uptake from hatch to 7 d after hatch. Albino chicks also had lower body temperatures (P < 0.05) at 2, 4, and 6 d after hatch. Albinos had a slower rate of transfer of yolk lipids to the developing embryo in the last 2 d of incubation. The fatty acid composition of the yolk and yolk sac membrane was similar for both genotypes during the last 3 d of incubation, except for the level of stearic acid, which was higher (P < 0.05) for nonalbinos on Day 18 of incubation for both tissues and at 1 d after hatch for the yolk. The fatty acid composition of the livers of albinos and nonalbinos were similar (P > 0.05) during the neonatal period. For both genotypes, the hepatic level of oleic acid increased to Day 20 of incubation, remained constant to 1 d after hatch, and decreased sharply thereafter. The major difference between the genotypes was a slower rate of transfer of yolk lipids to the developing albino embryo in the last 2 d of incubation.
authors.affiliation: Département des Sciences Animales, Université Laval, Ste-Foy, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Silversides
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000417:Albinism / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature; D001835:Body Weight; D002645:Chickens; D004530:Egg Yolk; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D005838:Genotype; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D011201:Poultry Diseases; D012016:Reference Values; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D015430:Weight Gain; D015017:Yolk Sac / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids