Free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations in blood plasma from immature, laying and broody turkey hens were re-examined following removal of phospholipids. A mean value of .21 ± .02 μ. equiv./ml. plasma of FFA was found for immature hens and as they were stimulated into egg production, and no systematic increase was noted. Broody hens had the same concentration as laying and immature hens. Neutral lipid levels (mainly triglyceride) increased from about 3.5 mg./ml. plasma to about 18–25 mg./ml. plasma as the hens reached sexual maturity, then plateaued until a broody period began when they dropped to concentrations comparable to those in immature hens. No correlation was found between FFA and neutral lipid concentrations. Although FFA concentration is much lower than previously reported, 14% of the total daily amount cleared was calculated to be sufficient to account for egg yolk neutral lipid. The remaining 86% would be available for other metabolic functions.
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Bacon et al. (1974) studied this question.
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