Relationship between Glucose and Pancreatic Hormones during the Embryonic and Postnatal Phase in Chickens

Abstract

Insulin plays a vital role in the regulation of glucose levels in the bloodstream. Chickens have similar circulating insulin concentrations compared to mammals but still maintain high plasma glucose levels. This phenomenon may be a consequence of the development of insulin resistance early in posthatch life, which may be the result of pertubations in the insulin signalling cascade. In addition, our study demonstrates that the response of plasma glucose and the hepatic glucose transporter 2 mRNA to insulin in broiler chicks during the perinatal period is age-dependent. This review addresses the relationship between glucose and pancreatic hormones in embryonic and posthatch stages in the life cycle of the domestic chicken.