The effects of restricted feeding on adrenal cortical activity in the immature domestic fowl

Abstract
The effect of reducing food intake to 75% of the ad lib intake was determined from hatching to 8 wk in young Light Sussex chickens. Restricted birds were lighter throughout the experiment. Relative adrenal weight tended to be greater in restricted birds but the difference decreased with time. There was no depletion of adrenal cholesterol: from week 5 there was a significantly greater amount in the adrenals of restricted birds. After 1 wk of restriction plasma corticosterone concentration was 73% greater than in controls. It decreased progressively, falling within the normal range at 5 wk. Restricted birds were hypoglycemic from weeks 2-7 and hyperlipacidemic throughout. A negative correlation between plasma glucose and free fatty acids was found.