The effect of dietary copper on the composition of adipose tissue triglycerides in the broiler chicken¹

Abbreviations used in this paper: triglycerides are defined by three numerals, to represent the three fatty acids esterified to glycerol, o represents a saturated fatty acid, 1 a monounsaturated fatty acid and 2 a diunsaturated fatty acid.

Synopsis

The subcutaneous adipose tissue of male broiler chickens fed diets containing either 5 ppm or 227 ppm of added copper was examined for its fatty acid composition and composition of triglyceride species. Small increases in monoenoic fatty acids at the expense of saturated fatty acids were found in birds fed high levels of copper. Significant increases in the triglyceride containing two monoenoic and one saturated fatty acids occurred and these replaced triglycerides composed to two saturated and one monoenoic fatty acids. These changes did not lead to changes in the melting properties of the fat.

Notes

Abbreviations used in this paper: triglycerides are defined by three numerals, to represent the three fatty acids esterified to glycerol, o represents a saturated fatty acid, 1 a monounsaturated fatty acid and 2 a diunsaturated fatty acid.

Present address: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.