Effects of corticosterone infusion on the lipogenic activity and ultrastructure of the liver of laying hens.

The effects of infusion of corticosterone (30 micrograms/h) for periods of 14 and 28 days on the ultrastructure and activity levels of lipogenic enzymes (fatty acid synthetase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme) of the liver of laying hens, were studied. The liver and the abdominal fat pad in the corticosterone treated birds weighed significantly more than those of the control birds while the ovary and oviduct were substantially regressed in the former. Ultrastructure of the hepatocytes of the treated birds showed heavy deposition of lipid. The respective levels of total activities of the three enzymes studied were also higher in the liver of the treated birds, even though the specific enzyme activities were higher only in the case of fatty acid synthetase.