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Glucose metabolism in fed and fasted emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri)

1981; Elsevier BV; Volume: 70; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0300-9629(81)91444-4

0300-9629

René Groscolas, Adrien Rodriguez,

Physiological and biochemical adaptations

1. The plasma level and the body mass of glucose were not different in fed, breeding and forced fasting emperor penguins. 2. In fasting birds, glucose turnover was related to plasma glucose. 3. The glucose apparent and irreversible turnover were significantly depressed in breeding and forced fasting penguins, when compared with fed birds. 4. The per cent recycling and the fractional turnover of glucose were significantly more, and less, respectively, in fasted (breeding, moulting and forced fasting) than in fed birds. However, except for moulting, the absolute recycling was not different. 5. Reduction in glucose utilization, but not enhancement of recycling, can, therefore, allow glucose sparing in starved penguins.