Apparent energetic efficiency of jejunal glucose uptake in young adult turkeys selected for rapid growth

Abstract

A rapid growth line (F) and a randombred control line (RBC2) of 16-wk-old unsexed turkeys were used to examine the effect of genetic selection for rapid growth on jejunal O2 consumption, glucose uptake and apparent energetic efficiency of glucose uptake. F line had 85% greater feed-deprived body weight (FBW, kilogram) than RBC2 line (P < 0.001) at 16 wk of age and a lighter (gram/kilogram FBW) and shorter (centimeter/kilogram FBW) small intestine and jejunum (P < 0.001). Additionally, the jejunum was composed of a higher proportion (P < 0.007) of mucosal tissue. There was no difference between the lines in apparent energetic efficiency (nmoles ATP expended/nmoles glucose uptake) of jejunal active glucose uptake. These data suggest selection for rapid growth in turkeys does not result in more efficient glucose uptake from the jejunum. Key words: Genetic selection, small intestine, glucose uptake, respiration, turkey