Skip-a-day feeding does not cause difference in liver lipid content in broiler breeders

There has long been evidence for increased lipids in the liver of chickens exposed to feed restriction, commonly used for production hens. Lipogenesis is an important part of the metabolism and storing of glucose, a source of energy. Few studies compare the difference of lipids in the liver in chickens between regular feed restriction and skip-a-day diets, despite differences in lipid content found in other organs and in overall carcass. In this study I experimentally investigate if a difference in lipid content can be found in broiler breeders exposed to two different feeding regimes, 65 % feed restriction and 5:2 skip-a-day, along with the difference between days and time points (a.m. and p.m.). I also experimentally investigate the effect on dry weights of the liver. I expected to see a difference in lipids of the liver, with an increase found in skip-a-day birds. However, a difference could only be observed in the dry weights of the livers in birds exposed to skip-a-day feeding. Although there was no significant change in lipids, there is a pattern for increase in lipids in skip-a-day birds. Therefore, the conclusion can be drawn that an increase in lipogenesis caused by skip-a-day diet exists but it was not big enough to cause a significant difference in lipid content. For the dry weights of the livers, we can suspect lipids and glycogen as the reason for the increased weight but to determine exactly how these two components affect the skip-a-day birds’ further inquiry is needed