Comparative Glycogenesis in the Liver and Glycogen Body of the Chick.

The incorporation of C14-labeled hexoses into glycogen compartments of avian liver and glycogen body was studied in young chicks which had been fasted 20 hours and tube-fed a test gruel at 1/2 and at 1–1 1/2 hours prior to isotopic administration. The results indicate that in contrast to rapid liver incorporation of the hexose label, the avian glycogen body was not active as far as glycogenesis was concerned for at least 24 hours after isotope injection. Only a trace of the galactose label was found in the glycogen body 8 hours later, no activity from glucose or fructose-C14 being found at any time in this structure throughout the 24-hour post-injection observation period.