Canards de Barbarie, Pékin et leurs hybrides: Aptitude à l'engraissement

Abstract

The Muscovy duck has a higher susceptibility to hepatic steatosis than the Pekin duck which exhibits a higher fattiness in adipose and muscle tissues. Currently, the Muscovy duck has a more efficient hepatic lipogenesis but its ability to export lipids is lower. Moreover, the activity of lipoprotein lipase is also lower in the Muscovy duck, particularly at the end of the overfeeding period, which enhances the return of circulating triglycerides to the liver. In comparison with the parental species, the hinny and mule ducks always present intermediate values for all these parameters except for feed ingestion capacity and fatty liver weight for which they benefit from a heterosis effect.