Possible role of pancreatic insulin and glucagon in the hyperlipidemia and obesity of obese strain of chicken.

Circulating levels of insulin, glucagon, thyroid hormones as well as lipid levels were determined in an obese strain of chicken and their lean controls. Hepatic and muscle glycogen and lipids were also measured. Obese birds had higher plasma lipids accompanied by significantly higher insulin and lower glucagon levels compared to lean controls. Hepatic and muscle triglycerides were also higher in obese birds. Plasma T4 level was significantly higher in obese but T3 was not different in the two groups. Results suggest that genetically obese birds have significantly increased insulin/glucagon ratios as previously reported in the PTU induced hypothyroid-obese chicks (Horm. Metab. Res. 12: 51, 1980) and this could have causal relationship to hyperlipidemia and obesity observed in these birds.