Bile Acid Concentrations in Serum, Bile, Jejunal Contents, and Excreta of Male Broiler Chicks During the First Six Weeks Posthatch

Bile acid concentrations in serum, bile, jejunal contents, and excreta of male broiler chicks during the first six weeks posthatch were determined. Bile acid concentrations in serum, jejunum, and excreta declined significantly (P less than .05) during the 1st week after hatch. Serum and jejunal concentrations then rose through week 3, declined during Weeks 4 and 5, and by 6 weeks of age had returned to levels comparable to those seen at Week 3. After the 1st week, no further significant changes were seen in bile acid concentrations in excreta. Concentrations of bile acids in bile were significantly higher at Weeks 1, 3, 5, and 6 than at Weeks 2 and 4. Predictive polynomial equations were calculated for use in modeling applications. This study shows that concentration of bile acids in various body compartments varies significantly during the first 6 weeks posthatch.