The influence of environmental temperature, thyroid status and a synthetic oestrogen on the induction of fatty livers in chicks.

ABSTRACT

1. Hepatic lipid content, lipogenic enzyme activity and plasma lipid concentration were measured in chicks reared at 21 degrees or 34 degrees C and after thyroxine (T4), thiouracil (TU), propylthiouracil (PTU), dienestrol diacetate (DD) or PTU with DD had been given for 14 d. 2. At 34 degrees C there was a significant increase in the total liver lipid and triglyceride content. 3. Injections of T4 decreased liver lipid content whereas it was increased by feeding PTU or DD. The effects of PTU were more pronounced at 21 degrees C while those of DD were more pronounced at 34 degrees C. 4. There were significant interactions between temperature, thyroid status and synthetic oestrogen treatments on total lipid and triglyceride content of the liver. Fatty liver with marked steatosis could be produced through synergic actions of PTU and DD in chicks maintained at 21 degrees C.