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The Grass Juice Factor in Turkey Nutrition*
The Grass Juice Factor in Turkey Nutrition* M . L.
SCOTT
Department of Poultry Husbandry, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. (Received for publication August 28, 1950)
TABLE 1.—Basal diet used in all studies
N AN earlier report, Scott, Heuser and Norris (1948) presented results showing that turkey poults receiving a complex, practical-type, high energy ration well fortified with known vitamins and animal protein supplements required, in addition, an unidentified vitamin found to be present in crude casein. Because the unknown factor required by the turkey appears to have properties similar to those of factor S, an unidentified factor required by chicks, it was assumed that these factors are identical. In the present report, further studies are presented on the distribution and properties of this factor for turkeys. Evidence is also presented showing that this vitamin may be the same as the "grass juice factor" of Kohler et al. (1936). EXPERIMENTAL
The basal ration used in all of the experiments described in this report is presented in Table 1. In order to ensure that this ration contained all of the known vitamins in adequate amounts, certain of these were added as shown in the footnote to the table. All poults were housed in a thermostatically controlled room equipped with wire floored pens containing electrically heated hovers. Experiment 1.—The first experiment * This work was aided by a grant to Cornell University from the Cerophyl Laboratories, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri.
Ingredients*
Percent
Cornmeal, yellow Wheat, ground whole Oats, pulverized Soybean meal, 44% protein Fish meal Meat scrap Dicalcium phosphate Limestone Salt, iodized Fish liver oil, 2000 A - 4 0 0 D MnSCX, feeding grade
34.5 5 10 37 5 5 1 1 0.5 1 0.04
* Following vitamins added: Riboflavin, 2 mg.; Vitamin K (Menadione), 2 mg.; Folic acid, 0..5 mg.; Niacin, 10 mg.; and Choline, 200 mg. per lb. of diet.
was conducted to obtain further information concerning the distribution of the unknown vitamin in various natural materials. All supplements were fed at a level of 5%. The experimental plan and results are presented in Table 2. These results show that dried skim milk is a better source of the unknown factor than is yeast, distillers' solubles or TABLE 2.—Skim milk, yeast, distillers' solubles and whey as sources, of the unknown factor Average 4 wks.* Basal diet Skim milk, dried, 5% Yeast, dried, 5% Distillers' solubles, dried, 5% Whey, dried, 5%
gms. 410 482 447 457 433
* Each lot contained 15 Broad Breast Bronze poults of mixed sex.
293
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I
294
M. L. SCOTT
TABLE 3.—Fish meal, dried grass and grass juice as sources of the unknown factor and , effect of prolonged storage
Treatment
Average poult weight, 4 wks.*
Basal diet Fish meal, 5%f Grass, dehydrated, 5% Grass juice, 5% Skim milk, dried, 5%J Yeast, dried, 5% J Distillers' solubles, 5% J
gms. 524 524 486 596 513 522 563
dried whey. The growth rates obtained in this experiment were not as great as those obtained in previous studies using casein (Scott, Heuser and Norris, 1948). Probably none of the supplements at the levels used contained a sufficient amount of the unknown factor to produce optimum growth. Experiment 2.—A second experiment was conducted to determine if the unknown factor is stable during storage, and to test other materials for the presence of the factor. For this experiment the same samples of dried skim milk, dried brewers' yeast and dried distillers' solubles used in Experiment 1 were stored in burlap bags at room temperature for one year and then fed under the same conditions used in Experiment 1. In addition, dehydrated oat grass, fresh grass juice and additional fish meal were fed also at the 5% level to determine if these materials contained significant amounts of the unknown factor. The results of this experiment, presented in Table 3, indicate that the unknown factor is not stable during storage over a period of one year, since no significant growth increases were obtained
TABLE 4.—A comparison of grass juice, alfalfa juice and dehydrated grass with freshly dried skim milk as sources of the unknown factor
Treatment
Average poult weight, 4 wks.*
Basal diet Skim milk, dried, 5% Grass juice, 5% Alfalfa juice, 5 % Grass, dehydrated, 5%
gms. 425 503 545 562 430
* Each lot contained 11 White Holland poults of mixed sex.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Univ of Iowa-Law Library on June 9, 2015
* Each lot contained 15 White Holland poults of mixed sex. t This level of fish meal was in addition to the 5% already present in the basal diet (Table 1). % These were same samples used one year previously in Experiment 1 (Table 2).
with the stored materials which had produced growth responses in Experiment 1. Supplementation with 5% of fish meal in addition to the 5% already present in the basal diet produced no, increase in poult growth in this experiment. On the other hand, 5% fresh grass juice promoted a marked gain in weight over that of the poults receiving the basal diet. The fact that 5% dehydrated oat grass did not increase growth possibly means that the unknown factor is not stable under the conditions used for dehydration of the grass. Experiment 3.—To confirm the results obtained with grass juice in Experiment 2, a further experiment was conducted using the same basal diet. A different sample of grass juice was used in this experiment. A sample of juice from alfalfa leaves was also tested to determine if this material contains the unknown factor. These materials were fed at a level of 5%. One lot of poults was fed 5% of freshly dried skim milk. Another lot received 5% of freshly dehydrated oat grass. The results of the experiment are presented in Table 4. These results demonstrate the striking effect of a factor in both grass juice and alfalfa juice upon the growth of young poults. The growth response produced by 5% of dried skim milk was approximately the same as that
295
GRASS JUICE FACTOR
DISCUSSION The results presented in this report
TABLE 5.—Failure of cholesterol to overcome growth depressing effect of high level of alfalfa juice
Treatment
Basal diet Alfalfa juice, 5% Alfalfa juice, 10% Alfalfa juice, 10%+Cholesterol, 1%
Average poult weight, 3 wks.* gms. 219 293 195 195
* Each lot contained 11 White Holland poults of mixed sex.
show a striking need by the poult for an unidentified factor or factors present in grass and alfalfa juice, dried skim milk, dried distillers' solubles and dried brewers' yeast. Since the basal diet used for the study of this factor contained 5% fish meal and 5% meat scrap and the addition of 5% fish meal to this diet failed to produce a growth response, it appears that animal products are poor sources of the factor. This would indicate that the unknown factor under study is not a member of the animal protein factor complex. Dried skim milk, yeast, and to some extent, distillers' solubles were found to contain considerably less of the unknownfactor after storage for one year. While grass juice is an excellent source of the factor, dehydrated grass contains little or none, indicating that the unknown factor is either destroyed or rendered unavailable to the poult during processing. In view of this lack of stability, it is impossible to predict whether or not a feed ingredient of unknown origin would contain appreciable amounts of the factor. Scott, Norris and Heuser (1947) presented evidence that the unidentified chick growth factor S is probably identical with the microbiological growth factor, strepogenin, of Sprince and Woolley (1944). With the discovery that the turkey requires a factor having properties and
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Univ of Iowa-Law Library on June 9, 2015
obtained in Experiment 1. Since dehydrated oat grass again failed to produce a growth response, it is quite probable that the factor being studied is destroyed by the heat used in processing the grass meal. Experiment 4.—Lepkovsky, Shalaeff, Peterson and Perry (1950) have reported an inhibitor in alfalfa meal capable of reducing the growth of chicks. Peterson (1950) has reported that this inhibitor possesses properties resembling those of the saponins and that the feeding of cholesterol in the diet counteracts to a large extent the growth depressing effects of high levels of alfalfa meal or of inhibitory extracts from alfalfa meal. An experiment was conducted, therefore, to determine if the alfalfa juice used in Experiment 3 contained an inhibitor which is toxic to turkeys. Four lots of poults were used in this experiment. One lot received the basal diet alone. The second and third lots received 5 and 10% alfalfa juice, respectively. The fourth lot was fed 10% alfalfa juice plus 1% cholesterol. The results of the experiment are presented in Table 5. These results show that alfalfa juice does contain an inhibitory substance for turkeys. In contrast to the findings reported by Peterson using chicks, however, cholesterol appears to have no effect in overcoming the inhibitory effect of the toxic substance for turkeys. Further work must be done before it is possible to say whether or not the factor inhibiting the turkeys is the same as that reported by Peterson to inhibit chicks. It is of interest that the 5% level of alfalfa juice produced a marked growth stimulation in spite of the fact that the alfalfa juice contained a toxic substance for turkeys as evidenced by the results obtained with the 10% level.
296
M. L. SCOTT
growing plant, while the mature and old plant contains considerably less. Hydrogen peroxide treatment destroyed practically all of the activity, indicating the destruction of the grass juice factor to be an oxidative process. The similarity injdistribution and properties of the factor required by the turkey with those of the "grass juice factor" described and studied by Kohler and associates strongly indicates that these factors are identical. SUMMARY
Evidence is presented showing a definite need by the young poult for an unknown factor present in yeast, distiller's solubles, skim milk and grass and alfalfa juices. The results indicate that the unknown factor is destroyed during prolonged storage and during heat treatment. The possible relationship of the unknown factor required by the turkey to strepogenin, required by certain microorganisms, to factor S, required by the chick, and to the "grass juice factor" required by rats and guinea pigs is discussed. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author wishes to thank Dr. G. O. Kohler, Cerophyl Laboratories, Kansas City, Missouri, for the dehydrated grasses and the grass and alfalfa juices used in the studies presented in this report. REFERENCES Cannon, M. D., and G. A. Emerson, 1939. Dietary requirements of the guinea pig with reference to the need for a special factor. J. Nutrition 18:155— 167. Kohler, G. O., C. A. Elvehjem and E. B. Hart, 1936. Growth stimulating properties of grass juice. Science 83: 445. Kohler, G. 0., C. A. Elvehjem and E. B. Hart, 1938. The relation of the "grass juice factor" to guinea pig nutrition. J. Nutrition 15: 445-459.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Univ of Iowa-Law Library on June 9, 2015
distribution in natural materials which are similar to those of factor S, it may be possible to make use of Lactobacillus casei in the study of the unidentified factor required by the turkey. Studies to determine if the activity for the turkey can be measured by L. casei are now in progress. The finding that grass and alfalfa juices are excellent sources of the unknown factor needed by the turkey indicates that this factor may be the same as the "grass juice factor" discovered by Kohler, Elvehjem and Hart (1936). These workers found that young rats fed a mineralized milk produced in the summertime by cows on pasture grew at a normal rate. On the other hand, rats fed a mineralized milk produced on winter dairy rations grew only at about half normal rate. The rats on the winter milk could be made to grow normally by the addition of 3 cc. of fresh clear grass juice daily to the ration. In view of these results, Kohler and associates postulated the existence of a water-soluble "grass juice factor." In further studies Kohler, Elvehjem and Hart (1938) found the grass juice factor to be of importance in guinea pig nutrition. This finding was confirmed by Cannon and Emerson (1939). Using the guinea pig as the experimental animal, Randall, Sober and Kohler (1940) determined the distribution of the grass juice factor in various plant and animal materials. In addition to cereal grasses, they found young white clover, peas, pea shells, cabbage, turnip tops and spinach to be excellent sources of the factor. Rice bran, brewer's yeast and wheat germ were found to be fair sources. Animal materials, including liver, contained only small quantities. The amount of the factor present in grass varied with the age of the plant, an excellent concentration being present in the
NEWS AND NOTES Lepkovsky, S., W. Shaeleff, D. Peterson and R. Perry, 1950. Alfalfa inhibitor in chick rations. Poultry Sci. 29: 208-213. Peterson, D. W., 1950. Some properties of a factor in alfalfa meal causing depression of growth in chicks. J. Biol. Chem. 183: 647-653. Randle, S. B., H. A. Sober and G. O. Kohler, 1940. The distribution of the "grass juice factor" in plant and animal materials. J. Nutrition 20: 459— 466. Scott, M. L., G. F. Heuser and L. C. Norris, 1948.
297
Energy, protein and unidentified vitamins in poult nutrition. Poultry Sci. 27: 773-780. Scott, M. L., L. C. Norris and G. F. Heuser, 1947. The probable identity of strepqgenin with factor S and the importance of this factor in chick nutrition. J. Biol. Chem. 167: 261-272. Sprince, H., and D. W. Woolley, 1944. Relation of a new growth factor required by hemolytic streptococci to growth phenomena in other bacteria. J. Exptl. Med. 80: 213-217.
{Continued from page 292)
ton, Md.; Second Vice-president—O. E. Lafreniere, Allenton, R. I.; Treasurer— J. C. Weisel, Rosemont, N. J.; and Secretary—F. E. Ellis, Elverson, Pa. The Board of Directors of the Northeastern Poultry Producers Council unanimously selected Dr. Alfred Van Wagenen as NEPPCO Managing Director to succeed the late Leon Todd. Waldo Chick, President of NEPPCO, stated that the Council is fortunate in having available a man who has served NEPPCO as its Marketing Specialist, and on occasion as Acting Managing Director, during the past five years. Chick furthermore stated "in Van Wagenen, the Council has a man who has been interested in the organization, not only during the period of his employment, but was one of the group who founded NEPPCO in May, 1931, and has since served on many of its committees. This appointment will assure poultry producers that NEPPCO will continue to move forward in the advancement of all phases of the poultry industry. The Board has also authorized the employment of an assistant in order to carry on the far-reaching program which has been developed." Dr. Van Wagenen is a native of New
York State, raised on a farm in the Hudson Valley near Kingston. He graduated from Cornell University in 1930, specializing in poultry husbandry. He served as the first full-time secretary-treasurer of the New York State Cooperative Official Poultry Breeders, Inc. After a year and a half with that organization, Van Wagenen returned to Cornell University to become an instructor in poultry husbandry, and research assistant. With a major in poultry husbandry, and minors in marketing and genetics, he received his Ph.D. degree in 1935. His thesis involved the determination of the measurement and inheritance of interior egg quality. After a term of teaching in poultry husbandry, Van Wagenen moved to the Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management at Cornell, where for six years he was in charge of poultry and egg marketing teaching and research. In 1942, Van Wagenen left Cornell for Ohio State University where he was associate professor in the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, and extension poultry husbandman. In August, 1945, NEPPCO secured his services as marketing specialist, and he has served in that capacity until the present time. His home address is: 1120 Evergreen Rd., Morrisville, Pa.
{Continued on page 301)
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Univ of Iowa-Law Library on June 9, 2015
News and Notes
SCOTT
Department of Poultry Husbandry, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. (Received for publication August 28, 1950)
TABLE 1.—Basal diet used in all studies
N AN earlier report, Scott, Heuser and Norris (1948) presented results showing that turkey poults receiving a complex, practical-type, high energy ration well fortified with known vitamins and animal protein supplements required, in addition, an unidentified vitamin found to be present in crude casein. Because the unknown factor required by the turkey appears to have properties similar to those of factor S, an unidentified factor required by chicks, it was assumed that these factors are identical. In the present report, further studies are presented on the distribution and properties of this factor for turkeys. Evidence is also presented showing that this vitamin may be the same as the "grass juice factor" of Kohler et al. (1936). EXPERIMENTAL
The basal ration used in all of the experiments described in this report is presented in Table 1. In order to ensure that this ration contained all of the known vitamins in adequate amounts, certain of these were added as shown in the footnote to the table. All poults were housed in a thermostatically controlled room equipped with wire floored pens containing electrically heated hovers. Experiment 1.—The first experiment * This work was aided by a grant to Cornell University from the Cerophyl Laboratories, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri.
Ingredients*
Percent
Cornmeal, yellow Wheat, ground whole Oats, pulverized Soybean meal, 44% protein Fish meal Meat scrap Dicalcium phosphate Limestone Salt, iodized Fish liver oil, 2000 A - 4 0 0 D MnSCX, feeding grade
34.5 5 10 37 5 5 1 1 0.5 1 0.04
* Following vitamins added: Riboflavin, 2 mg.; Vitamin K (Menadione), 2 mg.; Folic acid, 0..5 mg.; Niacin, 10 mg.; and Choline, 200 mg. per lb. of diet.
was conducted to obtain further information concerning the distribution of the unknown vitamin in various natural materials. All supplements were fed at a level of 5%. The experimental plan and results are presented in Table 2. These results show that dried skim milk is a better source of the unknown factor than is yeast, distillers' solubles or TABLE 2.—Skim milk, yeast, distillers' solubles and whey as sources, of the unknown factor Average 4 wks.* Basal diet Skim milk, dried, 5% Yeast, dried, 5% Distillers' solubles, dried, 5% Whey, dried, 5%
gms. 410 482 447 457 433
* Each lot contained 15 Broad Breast Bronze poults of mixed sex.
293
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Univ of Iowa-Law Library on June 9, 2015
I
294
M. L. SCOTT
TABLE 3.—Fish meal, dried grass and grass juice as sources of the unknown factor and , effect of prolonged storage
Treatment
Average poult weight, 4 wks.*
Basal diet Fish meal, 5%f Grass, dehydrated, 5% Grass juice, 5% Skim milk, dried, 5%J Yeast, dried, 5% J Distillers' solubles, 5% J
gms. 524 524 486 596 513 522 563
dried whey. The growth rates obtained in this experiment were not as great as those obtained in previous studies using casein (Scott, Heuser and Norris, 1948). Probably none of the supplements at the levels used contained a sufficient amount of the unknown factor to produce optimum growth. Experiment 2.—A second experiment was conducted to determine if the unknown factor is stable during storage, and to test other materials for the presence of the factor. For this experiment the same samples of dried skim milk, dried brewers' yeast and dried distillers' solubles used in Experiment 1 were stored in burlap bags at room temperature for one year and then fed under the same conditions used in Experiment 1. In addition, dehydrated oat grass, fresh grass juice and additional fish meal were fed also at the 5% level to determine if these materials contained significant amounts of the unknown factor. The results of this experiment, presented in Table 3, indicate that the unknown factor is not stable during storage over a period of one year, since no significant growth increases were obtained
TABLE 4.—A comparison of grass juice, alfalfa juice and dehydrated grass with freshly dried skim milk as sources of the unknown factor
Treatment
Average poult weight, 4 wks.*
Basal diet Skim milk, dried, 5% Grass juice, 5% Alfalfa juice, 5 % Grass, dehydrated, 5%
gms. 425 503 545 562 430
* Each lot contained 11 White Holland poults of mixed sex.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Univ of Iowa-Law Library on June 9, 2015
* Each lot contained 15 White Holland poults of mixed sex. t This level of fish meal was in addition to the 5% already present in the basal diet (Table 1). % These were same samples used one year previously in Experiment 1 (Table 2).
with the stored materials which had produced growth responses in Experiment 1. Supplementation with 5% of fish meal in addition to the 5% already present in the basal diet produced no, increase in poult growth in this experiment. On the other hand, 5% fresh grass juice promoted a marked gain in weight over that of the poults receiving the basal diet. The fact that 5% dehydrated oat grass did not increase growth possibly means that the unknown factor is not stable under the conditions used for dehydration of the grass. Experiment 3.—To confirm the results obtained with grass juice in Experiment 2, a further experiment was conducted using the same basal diet. A different sample of grass juice was used in this experiment. A sample of juice from alfalfa leaves was also tested to determine if this material contains the unknown factor. These materials were fed at a level of 5%. One lot of poults was fed 5% of freshly dried skim milk. Another lot received 5% of freshly dehydrated oat grass. The results of the experiment are presented in Table 4. These results demonstrate the striking effect of a factor in both grass juice and alfalfa juice upon the growth of young poults. The growth response produced by 5% of dried skim milk was approximately the same as that
295
GRASS JUICE FACTOR
DISCUSSION The results presented in this report
TABLE 5.—Failure of cholesterol to overcome growth depressing effect of high level of alfalfa juice
Treatment
Basal diet Alfalfa juice, 5% Alfalfa juice, 10% Alfalfa juice, 10%+Cholesterol, 1%
Average poult weight, 3 wks.* gms. 219 293 195 195
* Each lot contained 11 White Holland poults of mixed sex.
show a striking need by the poult for an unidentified factor or factors present in grass and alfalfa juice, dried skim milk, dried distillers' solubles and dried brewers' yeast. Since the basal diet used for the study of this factor contained 5% fish meal and 5% meat scrap and the addition of 5% fish meal to this diet failed to produce a growth response, it appears that animal products are poor sources of the factor. This would indicate that the unknown factor under study is not a member of the animal protein factor complex. Dried skim milk, yeast, and to some extent, distillers' solubles were found to contain considerably less of the unknownfactor after storage for one year. While grass juice is an excellent source of the factor, dehydrated grass contains little or none, indicating that the unknown factor is either destroyed or rendered unavailable to the poult during processing. In view of this lack of stability, it is impossible to predict whether or not a feed ingredient of unknown origin would contain appreciable amounts of the factor. Scott, Norris and Heuser (1947) presented evidence that the unidentified chick growth factor S is probably identical with the microbiological growth factor, strepogenin, of Sprince and Woolley (1944). With the discovery that the turkey requires a factor having properties and
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Univ of Iowa-Law Library on June 9, 2015
obtained in Experiment 1. Since dehydrated oat grass again failed to produce a growth response, it is quite probable that the factor being studied is destroyed by the heat used in processing the grass meal. Experiment 4.—Lepkovsky, Shalaeff, Peterson and Perry (1950) have reported an inhibitor in alfalfa meal capable of reducing the growth of chicks. Peterson (1950) has reported that this inhibitor possesses properties resembling those of the saponins and that the feeding of cholesterol in the diet counteracts to a large extent the growth depressing effects of high levels of alfalfa meal or of inhibitory extracts from alfalfa meal. An experiment was conducted, therefore, to determine if the alfalfa juice used in Experiment 3 contained an inhibitor which is toxic to turkeys. Four lots of poults were used in this experiment. One lot received the basal diet alone. The second and third lots received 5 and 10% alfalfa juice, respectively. The fourth lot was fed 10% alfalfa juice plus 1% cholesterol. The results of the experiment are presented in Table 5. These results show that alfalfa juice does contain an inhibitory substance for turkeys. In contrast to the findings reported by Peterson using chicks, however, cholesterol appears to have no effect in overcoming the inhibitory effect of the toxic substance for turkeys. Further work must be done before it is possible to say whether or not the factor inhibiting the turkeys is the same as that reported by Peterson to inhibit chicks. It is of interest that the 5% level of alfalfa juice produced a marked growth stimulation in spite of the fact that the alfalfa juice contained a toxic substance for turkeys as evidenced by the results obtained with the 10% level.
296
M. L. SCOTT
growing plant, while the mature and old plant contains considerably less. Hydrogen peroxide treatment destroyed practically all of the activity, indicating the destruction of the grass juice factor to be an oxidative process. The similarity injdistribution and properties of the factor required by the turkey with those of the "grass juice factor" described and studied by Kohler and associates strongly indicates that these factors are identical. SUMMARY
Evidence is presented showing a definite need by the young poult for an unknown factor present in yeast, distiller's solubles, skim milk and grass and alfalfa juices. The results indicate that the unknown factor is destroyed during prolonged storage and during heat treatment. The possible relationship of the unknown factor required by the turkey to strepogenin, required by certain microorganisms, to factor S, required by the chick, and to the "grass juice factor" required by rats and guinea pigs is discussed. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author wishes to thank Dr. G. O. Kohler, Cerophyl Laboratories, Kansas City, Missouri, for the dehydrated grasses and the grass and alfalfa juices used in the studies presented in this report. REFERENCES Cannon, M. D., and G. A. Emerson, 1939. Dietary requirements of the guinea pig with reference to the need for a special factor. J. Nutrition 18:155— 167. Kohler, G. O., C. A. Elvehjem and E. B. Hart, 1936. Growth stimulating properties of grass juice. Science 83: 445. Kohler, G. 0., C. A. Elvehjem and E. B. Hart, 1938. The relation of the "grass juice factor" to guinea pig nutrition. J. Nutrition 15: 445-459.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Univ of Iowa-Law Library on June 9, 2015
distribution in natural materials which are similar to those of factor S, it may be possible to make use of Lactobacillus casei in the study of the unidentified factor required by the turkey. Studies to determine if the activity for the turkey can be measured by L. casei are now in progress. The finding that grass and alfalfa juices are excellent sources of the unknown factor needed by the turkey indicates that this factor may be the same as the "grass juice factor" discovered by Kohler, Elvehjem and Hart (1936). These workers found that young rats fed a mineralized milk produced in the summertime by cows on pasture grew at a normal rate. On the other hand, rats fed a mineralized milk produced on winter dairy rations grew only at about half normal rate. The rats on the winter milk could be made to grow normally by the addition of 3 cc. of fresh clear grass juice daily to the ration. In view of these results, Kohler and associates postulated the existence of a water-soluble "grass juice factor." In further studies Kohler, Elvehjem and Hart (1938) found the grass juice factor to be of importance in guinea pig nutrition. This finding was confirmed by Cannon and Emerson (1939). Using the guinea pig as the experimental animal, Randall, Sober and Kohler (1940) determined the distribution of the grass juice factor in various plant and animal materials. In addition to cereal grasses, they found young white clover, peas, pea shells, cabbage, turnip tops and spinach to be excellent sources of the factor. Rice bran, brewer's yeast and wheat germ were found to be fair sources. Animal materials, including liver, contained only small quantities. The amount of the factor present in grass varied with the age of the plant, an excellent concentration being present in the
NEWS AND NOTES Lepkovsky, S., W. Shaeleff, D. Peterson and R. Perry, 1950. Alfalfa inhibitor in chick rations. Poultry Sci. 29: 208-213. Peterson, D. W., 1950. Some properties of a factor in alfalfa meal causing depression of growth in chicks. J. Biol. Chem. 183: 647-653. Randle, S. B., H. A. Sober and G. O. Kohler, 1940. The distribution of the "grass juice factor" in plant and animal materials. J. Nutrition 20: 459— 466. Scott, M. L., G. F. Heuser and L. C. Norris, 1948.
297
Energy, protein and unidentified vitamins in poult nutrition. Poultry Sci. 27: 773-780. Scott, M. L., L. C. Norris and G. F. Heuser, 1947. The probable identity of strepqgenin with factor S and the importance of this factor in chick nutrition. J. Biol. Chem. 167: 261-272. Sprince, H., and D. W. Woolley, 1944. Relation of a new growth factor required by hemolytic streptococci to growth phenomena in other bacteria. J. Exptl. Med. 80: 213-217.
{Continued from page 292)
ton, Md.; Second Vice-president—O. E. Lafreniere, Allenton, R. I.; Treasurer— J. C. Weisel, Rosemont, N. J.; and Secretary—F. E. Ellis, Elverson, Pa. The Board of Directors of the Northeastern Poultry Producers Council unanimously selected Dr. Alfred Van Wagenen as NEPPCO Managing Director to succeed the late Leon Todd. Waldo Chick, President of NEPPCO, stated that the Council is fortunate in having available a man who has served NEPPCO as its Marketing Specialist, and on occasion as Acting Managing Director, during the past five years. Chick furthermore stated "in Van Wagenen, the Council has a man who has been interested in the organization, not only during the period of his employment, but was one of the group who founded NEPPCO in May, 1931, and has since served on many of its committees. This appointment will assure poultry producers that NEPPCO will continue to move forward in the advancement of all phases of the poultry industry. The Board has also authorized the employment of an assistant in order to carry on the far-reaching program which has been developed." Dr. Van Wagenen is a native of New
York State, raised on a farm in the Hudson Valley near Kingston. He graduated from Cornell University in 1930, specializing in poultry husbandry. He served as the first full-time secretary-treasurer of the New York State Cooperative Official Poultry Breeders, Inc. After a year and a half with that organization, Van Wagenen returned to Cornell University to become an instructor in poultry husbandry, and research assistant. With a major in poultry husbandry, and minors in marketing and genetics, he received his Ph.D. degree in 1935. His thesis involved the determination of the measurement and inheritance of interior egg quality. After a term of teaching in poultry husbandry, Van Wagenen moved to the Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management at Cornell, where for six years he was in charge of poultry and egg marketing teaching and research. In 1942, Van Wagenen left Cornell for Ohio State University where he was associate professor in the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, and extension poultry husbandman. In August, 1945, NEPPCO secured his services as marketing specialist, and he has served in that capacity until the present time. His home address is: 1120 Evergreen Rd., Morrisville, Pa.
{Continued on page 301)
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Univ of Iowa-Law Library on June 9, 2015
News and Notes