Rates of entry of alanine and glycerol and their contribution to glucose synthesis in fasted chickens

Abstract

1. Rates of entry of alanine and glycerol and their contribution to glucose synthesis were studied in 48‐h fasted White Leghorn cockerels using primed constant intravenous infusions of L‐[U‐¹⁴C]alanine and [U‐¹⁴C]glycerol.

2. Entry rates of alanine and glycerol were 112 and 401 μmol/h per kg body weight, respectively.

3. Of the total glucose irreversible loss (entry rate), 1.5 and 6.6% were derived from alanine and glycerol, respectively.

4. The possibilities of the operation of a glyoxylate cycle and ω‐oxidation of fatty acids in the fasted chicken are discussed.