Scientists study obesity and chickens

Agricultural Research Service scientists (*) recently identified and sequenced genes responsible for regulating both energy use by individual cells and the food intake of birds. They also showed that the genes function in different tissues throughout the body of the broiler chicken.

This biochemical pathway maintains energy balance in the bird's body. A key component of the pathway is an enzyme called AMP-activated protein kinase, or AMPK.

In animals, obesity results from an imbalance when more food energy (calories) is consumed than the body needs. Excess energy is stored mostly as fat. Over the years, poultry breeders have bred chickens that grow faster and produce more meat. But, according to the researchers, modern broiler/breeder chickens don't adequately balance their feed consumption to match their energy requirements, so when the birds are given unrestricted access to feed, they will overeat and become obese.

AMPK plays a central role in sensing cellular energy levels. It begins a series of events that affect food intake and metabolism of fat, carbohydrate and protein.

According to animal scientists Monika Proszkowiec-Weglarz, AMPK is really a “molecular fuel gauge” and a master metabolic regulator in cells. It responds to fluctuations in the levels of cellular energy and of specific nutrients and hormones outside the cells.

Read more about this research, in the January 2008 issue of Agricultural Research magazine