Absorbability of oleic and palmitic acid in Young chicks, effect of yolk sac ablation

The aims of the present study were: 1) to describe the changes in the absorption of free oleic and palmitic acids in young chicks during the first two weeks after hatching; 2) to find out if yolk sac ablation induces any change in the absorbability of such fatty acids. The study was carried out in normal and yolk-sac-ablated broiler chiks aged 2, 8 and 13 days. 14 C-labelled oleic and palmitic acids were given p.o. in suspension. Stools were collected for 48h and the recovery of radioactivity was determined and considered as an indicator of the extent of absorption. Our results indicate that the absorption of palmitic acid decreased with age (p < 0.05) whereas the absorption of oleic acid increased significantly (p < 0.005). The changes in the absorptive capacity for each fatty acid occurred during the first week. The absorption of both fatty acids was greater in yolk-sac-ablated chicks (p < 0.05). The relative contents of different fatty acids in yolk lipids was investigated. The results clearly indicate that the ratio OA/PA linearly increased from hatching until the 4th day. Thus the possibility that yolk sac lipids passing to the intestine through the yolk stalk are able to modify the absorptive processes cannot be excluded. © 1992 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.