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Effect of Feeding Thyroactive Iodocasein on Growth, Feathering, and Weights of Glands of Young Chicks*
M. RICHARD IRWIN, E. P. REINKE, AND C. W. TURNER
University of Missouri, Columbia Missouri (Received for publication April 14, 1943)
M
ANY investigators during the past three decades have reported on the various effects of feeding fresh or desiccated thyroid to chickens. Results have been variable, dependent upon dosage level and potency of the material. Most of the work reported has concerned adult stock, and the data relative to chicks and young growing stock appears to be meager. Crew and Huxley (1923) fed dried thyroid to 12 chicks and found no significant difference in weight between the control and experimental group. It is known that thyroid given in excessive amount will retard the rate of growth or even cause a loss of body weight. However, some investigators have reported acceleration of the growth rate in dogs, rats, and mice when thyroid was fed in optimum amounts. Recently Koger and associates (1942, 1943) reported improvement of growth and appetite in mice receiving subcutaneous injections of crystalline thyroxine and the feeding of thyroactive iodinated casein. The earlier literature offers no evidence that thyroactive material will stimulate feather growth in young chicks. However, Cole and Reid (1924) observed in adult stock that the replacement of feathers on * Contribution from the Departments of Poultry and Dairy Husbandry, Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, Journal Series No. 891.
birds receiving desiccated thyroid was noticeably more rapid than in others. Recently Parker (1943) reported that the feeding of thyroactive iodocasein to Rhode Island Red chicks to 12 weeks of age increased the rate of feathering significantly. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
Thyroactive iodocasein1 (hereinafter referred to variously as thyroprotein) prepared by the method described by Reineke and co-workers (1942) was mixed at various levels with ration 4008 reported by Irwin and Kempster (1942). The composition of this ration which was fed to the control lots and used as a basal in all trials is as follows: Yellow corn meal Bran Alfalfa leaf meal (20 percent protein) Shorts Meat scrap (SO percent protein) Soybean oil meal Bone meal Salt Feeding oil (8S A.O.A.C. units D)
Pounds 45 5 10 IS 7 IS 0.S 1 l
The thyroactive iodocasein was weighed to the nearest 0.1 gram and mixed with about 20 pounds of mash. This mixture was 1
This material was supplied by Dr. W. R. Graham, Jr., Cerophyl Laboratory, Kansas City, Missouri.
[374]
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of California Santa Barbara/Davidson Library on June 25, 2015
Effect of Feeding Thyroactive Iodocasein on Growth, Feathering, and Weights of Glands of Young Chicks*
375
EFFECT OF FEEDING THYROACTIVE IODOCASEIN
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 1. Growth. The results of the first trial to determine the effect of thyroprotein on
tory results with other animals and adjusted for the relative body weight of the chicks. The particular lot of thyroactive iodocasein used in this trial is referred to as Ce-II. By biological assay on guinea pigs it showed 2 percent Of the potency of thyroxine. The results show slightly improved growth and more efficient gains in the group fed 113 grams of thyroactive iodocasein added to 100 pounds of mash. The other groups compared favorably in size and economy of gains with the controls. The results of this trial indicate that a low level (113 grams per 100 pounds) of thyroactive iodocasein may slightly stimulate growth, at slightly higher levels growth is neither stimulated nor depressed, and at levels of^ 454 grams per 100 pounds of feed, growth, particularly in the females, may be adversely affected. A second trial was started August 13, 1942, as. a check on the previous trial. (Since 113 grams per 100 pounds of mash had appeared most favorable in the previous trial another lot was added using 51 grams per 100 pounds of mash.) The thyroactive iodocasein lot Fd 1-33 used in
TABLE 1.—The effect of various amounts of thyroactive iodocasein (Ce-11) on growth and efficiency of gains in White Rocks to six weeks of age. Hatched June 18, 1942 Lotl Controls
Age in Wt. in gms. weeks 10 9 females males 0 2 4 6
44 111 261 477
43 108 236 418
Lot 2 113 gms. per 100 pounds
Lbs. Wt. in gms. feed per lb. 8 12 fegain males males 3.12 3.53 3.48
44 117 302 522
44 113 245 452
Lot 3 227 gms. per 100 pounds
Lbs. Wt. in gms. feed per lb. 7 l i f e gain males males 2.90 3.54 2.93
42 97 233 439
growth are shown in Table 1. Since no information was available concerning optimum levels of thyroactive iodocasein for chickens, the levels used in this trial were based on levels which had given satisfac-
43 102 252 432
Lot 4 339 gms. per 100 pounds
Lbs. Wt. in gms. feed per lb. 10 10 fegain males males 3.39 3.24 3.21
43 109 258 472
41 99 232 417
Lot 5 454 gms. per 100 pounds
Lbs. Wt. in gms. feed 8 feper lb. 9 gain males males
Lbs. feed per lb. gain
42 103 249 454
3.03 3.86 3.63
2.77 2.79 2.62
41 95 226 384
this and the subsequent test was prepared by an improved process and consequently showed higher biological activity. As tested on guinea pigs it exerted 3.1 percent of the response of thyroxine—an increase of 55
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of California Santa Barbara/Davidson Library on June 25, 2015
added to the remainder of the original 100 pounds of mash and thoroughly mixed in an electric mixer so that the thyroactive iodocasein was thoroughly dispersed throughout the mash. Chicks were individually wing banded and weighed at hatching and at two-week intervals thereafter. The chicks were brooded in electric batteries until six weeks of age at which time they were transferred to unheated growing quarters. The room temperature throughout the brooding and growing period was relatively high, ranging from 75 to 85°F. The birds which were killed for determination of gland weights were weighed live, and after bleeding and removing the feathers the various glands were dissected out and weighed. Care was taken to dissect all fat and surplus tissue from each gland. In order to prevent drying of the glands they were placed in covered petri dishes containing moistened filter paper.
376 x
M. RICHARD IRWIN, E. P. REINKE, AND C. W. TURNER
TABLE 2.—Effect of thyroactive iodocasein (Fd 1-33) at various levels on growth in White Rocks to 12 weeks of age. Hatched August 13,1942
Lot 1 Age in
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
41 103 277 479 730 1,119 1,442
42 94 254 424 633 905 1,159
Lot 3 102 gms. per 100 pounds
Lot 4 204 gms. per 100 pounds
Lot 5 306 gms. per 100 pounds
Lot 6 408 gms. per 100 pounds
Wt. in grams
Wt. in grams
Wt. in grams
Wt. in grams
Wt. in grams
8 males
8 males
3 males
6 females
2 males
1 female
1 male
1 female
43 86 187 362 609 888 967
40 79 176 336 510 691 830
41 62 132 228 380 510 572
37 70 184 276
37 82 168 224 382 474 557
40 84 235 403 673 957 1,244
9 females 40 91 243 397 627 869 1,082
42 88 218 389 627 873 1,155
8 females 42 87 210 343 546 792 1,035
percent above the potency of the first lot of thyroprotein used. „ One more group of chicks was used in this than in the previous trial, and the amount of thyroprotein given was adjusted so that the group receiving the lowest level received about three-fourths of the actual thyroidal stimulation given to the lowest group in the previous trial. Lot 6, therefore, received a dosage about 75 percent higher than the highest amount used in the previous trial, when the comparative potency of the two lots of thyroprotein used is considered. (Table 2) Almost immediately after the start of this trial it was apparent that the highest dosage levels used were in excess of the capacity of the chicks to tolerate them. Chicks, particularly in lots S and 6, began to die at a high rate, approximately 50 percent of these groups being dead at the end of the first week. Death losses continued at a lower rate throughout the trial periods in lots 4, 5, and 6 so that accurate calculation of efficiency of gains as evidenced by pounds of feed required to produce a pound of gain was impossible. In this trial the average weight of the control chicks was greater for both males and females than the weights of chicks in any of the experimental lots. The weight of chicks in the experimental lots became
45 91 233 421 692 947 1,236
— — —
progressively lower as more thyroactive iodocasein was used. Female chicks appeared to be more sensitive to the high level of thyroactive iodocasein, particularly in lot S, than were the male chicks. C. J. and C. Parhon (1914), Zavadovsky (1925), and Martin (1929) reported marked excitability as a symptom of hyperthyroidismf The chicks in lot 6 were dull acting, moved about infrequently, and appeared to be hot as evidenced by continual panting during the last two or three weeks of the trial. Since in the trial just described even the lowest dosage depressed growth slightly a new trial started September 24, 1942, employed successively lower levels of thyroprotein than had been used in any previous trial. Since there was considerable evidence that thyroxine affects the pigmentation of colored plumage, lot 6 was included to determine the effect of a high level (227 grams per 100 pounds) on pigmentation of plumage in Single Comb Rhode Island Reds. The results of this trial are shown in Table 3 and a description of the effects of thyroprotein on growth and pigmentation of feathers will be given later in the discussion. In this trial lots 2, 3, 4, and 5 either equaled or exceeded the growth rate of the controls during the first 6 weeks. The 40 experimental male chicks averaged
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weeks Wt. in grams 10 7 females males
Lot 2 51 gms. per 100 pounds
377
EFFECT OF FEEDING THYROACTIVE IODOCASEIN TABLE 3.—Effect
Age
of Thyroactive iodocasein (Fd 1-33) on growth to 12 weeks of age when fed at various levels to White Rocks hatched September 24, 1942
Lot 1 Controls
in
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
43 80 193 420 734 998 1,331
42 81 184 387 656 893 1,190
Lot 3 9.0 gms. per 100 pounds
Lot 4 18 gms. per 100 pounds
Lot 5 36 gms. per 100 pounds
Lot 6 227 gms. per 100 pounds
Wt. in grams
Wt. in grams
Wt. in grams
Wt. in grams
Wt. in grams
10 males
10 males
10 males 43 89 222 465 754 1,045 1,354
10 females 41 85 215 415 632 890 1,161
10 males 41 86 208 430 681 982 1,370
10 females 42 74 190 386 601 880 1,175
10 percent more and the 37 female chicks averaged 7.5 percent more in body weight than the controls. During the last 6 weeks, the rate of growth of lots 2, 3, and 4 was reduced somewhat so that the final weights of the males averaged only slightly above the controls (12 grams) and the females slightly below the controls (6 grams). The males in lot 5 which received 36 grams of thyroprotein per 100 pounds continued to grow more rapidly than the controls. It is evident from this trial that thyroprotein at levels of 4.S, 9.0, and 18.0 grams per 100 pounds has no apparent effect upon growth after six weeks. This trial and other incompleted trials suggest that 36.0 to 45.0 grams of thyroprotein per 100 pounds as used in this trial may improve the growth of male White
41 88 220 437 658 994 1,305
10 females 43 87 211 440 708 917 1,215
44 87 224 516 782 1,145 1,440
7 females
5 males
43 42 73 87 152 210 318 425 512 643 730 927 1,179 1,010
2 females 42 64 114 224 360 523 761
Rock chicks during the first 12 weeks. Data on the growth of the females after six weeks is inconclusive. These are optimum levels from the standpoint of growth. 2. Feathering. One of the most noticeable characteristics of the chicks fed thyroprotein was their superior feather growth as compared to the controls. The feather growth of the chicks fed thyroprotein was evident in the first trial, the results of which were shown in Table 1. The chicks in lots 4 and S were almost fully feathered at four weeks of age while the controls showed feathers only on wing, shoulder, and breast tracts. The degree of feathering at four weeks of age with increasing levels of thyroprotein is evident in Figure 1 which pictures representative chicks from the second trial
FIG. 1. Representative four-week-old chicks from lots (left to right) 1, 2, 3, and 4 in trial 2. Note that feathering was improved as the level of thyroactive iodocasein increased.
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weeks Wt. in grams 12 6 females males
Lot 2 4.5 gms. per 100 pounds
378
M.
RICHARD IRWIN, E. P. REINKE, AND C. W.
TURNER
TABLE 4.—Weights of glands in White Rock females fed thyroactive iodocasein (Fd 1-33) at various levels. Hatched September 24,1942. Weights taken at 12-14 weeks Lot no. Percent indi- Numcates thyroac- ber f etive iodocasein males level Control O.Ot 0.02 0.04 0.08
S.C. Red females 6 0.50
Live body weight
Heart
Kidney
Liver
Thymus
Pituitary
6 10 10 10 7
1,324 1,382 1,316 1,365 1,299
4.4 4.3 4.5 5.0 5.2
9.2 9.6 9.7 9.1 10.4
23.9 26.3 25.9 29.2 26.4
7.5 6.5 6.4 6.2 6.6
6.8 6.8 6.2 7.0 5.9
2
865
4.7
9.5
23.2
5.1
4.2
started August 13, 1942. The feathering improved as the level of thyroprotein increased. Representative chicks from lots 5 and 6 are not shown since they were fully feathered the same as the chicks from lot 4 shown in Figure 1. While the chicks in the second experiment showed improvement in feather growth among the experimental lots as compared to the controls the improvement was not so marked as in the experimental groups which were fed higher levels of thyroprotein in the previous trial. 3. Weights of Glands. In order to determine the effect of thyroprotein upon gland activity as measured by weight and compared to normal birds of the same age and weight as represented by the controls, all of the lots in the third trial were killed and determination of gland weights made
Thyroid 102.5 24.6 18.7 20.3 16.4 •
12.1
Adrenal
Ovary
61.0 77.4 74.6 66.9 69.7
389 365 379 365 339
83.0
260
as previously described. These data for the females are shown in Table 4 and for males in Table 5. The discrepancies in live weight shown by a comparison of Tables 4 and 5 with Table 3 are due to the gain in weight made by the birds from the time of the final 12 weeks' weight until the time of slaughter. The most striking change in weights of glands is shown by the average weights of the thyroids from both males and females in the controls as compared with thyroid weights of the experimental lots. It is apparent from these weights that thyroprotein has a depressing effect upon the thyroid gland of chicks. That higher levels of thyroprotein further depress the thyroid is evidenced by the weights of thyroid glands from males and females in lot 6. It is also interesting to note that the average thyroid
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1 2 3 4 5
Average weight in milligrams
Average weight in grams
TABLE 5.—Weights of glands in White Rock males fed thyroactive iodocasein (Fd 1-33) at various levels. Hatched September 24, 1942. Weights taken at 12-14 weeks Lot no. Percent indi- Numcates thyroac- ber tive iodocasein males level
Average weight in milligrams
Average weight in grams Live body weight
Heart
Kidney
Liver
Thymus
Pituitary Thyroid
Adrenal
Testes
Control 0.01 0.02 0.04 0.08
11 10 10 10 10
1,477 1,467 1,472 1,437 1,521
5.6 5.1 5.5 5.7 7.2
10.1 9.9 10.3 10.5 12.6
27.3 27.2 28.0 28.5 32.2
6.2 4.8 7.0 5.9 7.3
8.5 7.8 8.1 7.0 7.4
48.1 20.4 17.5 25.2 24.7
90.7 87.0 87.5 96.5 97.5
506 422 406 368 408
S.C. Red males 6 0.50
4
1,061
4.8
9.0
23.0
4.5
4.7
10.0
99.2
185
1 2 3 4 5
EFFECT OF FEEDING THYHOACTIVE IODOCASEIN
EFFECTS ON PIGMENTATION OF COLORED PLUMAGE
The effects of hyperthyroidism on pigmentation have been noted by numerous investigators. Giacomini (1924), Zavadovsky (1925), and Hutt (1930) observed depigmentation of plumage following the feeding of desiccated thyroid. Cole and Reid (1924) and Torrey and Horning
(1925) observed an increased melanism. In the third trial started September 24, 1942, Single Comb Rhode Island Red chicks were included to observe the effects of feeding a high level of thyroprotein (227 grams per 100 pounds) on pigmentation of plumage. Normal Single Comb Reds from the same hatch were not available but other hatches from the same source served as controls for color comparison. The plumage color of the chicks fed thyroprotein was a very light red and mottled with black and white on the surface while the under-color of the chicks was a solid slate color commonly referred to by Red breeders as "smut." All groups of normal chicks obtained from the same source and fed the control ration were a sound dark red color in surface plumage with slight amounts of smut in undercolor among a few individuals. CONCLUSIONS 1. Thyroactive iodocasein with a potency 3.1 percent that of thyroxine mixed in a basal mash at the level of 36 grams per 100 pounds of mash produced slightly heavier chicks at 12 weeks of age than the controls. When fed at levels lower than 36 grams per 100 pounds of mash thyroactive iodocasein did not produce weights different than the controls. At levels higher than 113 grams of thyroactive iodocasein with a potency 2 percent that of thyroxine, per 100 pounds of mash, growth was depressed and mortality increased as the level of thyroactive iodocasein increased. 2. Feather growth in chicks improved as the level of thyroactive iodocasein added to the mash increased. 3. Thyroactive iodocasein when fed in the mash at levels of 4.5 to 227 grams per 100 pounds depressed the thyroid weight below that of the controls. 4. The data presented indicate the following trends in gland weights of experi-
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of California Santa Barbara/Davidson Library on June 25, 2015
weight of the normal females was double that of the normal male chicks. Other data by the writers (unpublished) do not show any difference in weights of thyroids in normal males and females but did show an equivalent decline in weight of the thyroid in chicks receiving comparable amounts of thyroprotein. Another observation of interest is the adrenal weight of the males and females in lot 6 as compared to the adrenal weight of the birds in the other lots. The adrenal weights of birds in lot 6 averaged heavier than for the other groups despite the fact that body weight of the birds in lot 6 averaged lower than that of other groups. The adrenal cortex becomes hyperactive when the individual is subjected to adverse conditions. It is evident from the heavier weights of glands from birds in lot 6 that the adrenals of these birds were very active as a result of extreme hyperthyroidism produced by an overdose of thyroprotein. Other differences in gland weights are not so evident as those of the thyroid and adrenals. In general, these data and other unpublished data indicate the following trends in experimental lots fed thyroprotein as compared to control groups: (1) an increase in heart weight probably a result of increased heart rate, (2) some decrease in the pituitary weights of males, and (3) a decrease in gonad weights of both males and females. Other differences in gland weights may be accounted for by comparable differences in body weights.
379
380
M. RICHARD IRWIN, E. P. REINKE, AND C. W.
REFERENCES
Cole, L. J., and D. H. Reid, 1924. The effect of feeding thyroid on the plumage of fowl. Journ. Agri. Res. 29:285-287. Crew, F. A. E., and J. S. Huxley, 1923. The relation of internal secretion to reproduction and growth in the domestic fowl. Vet. Jour. 29:343-348. Giacomini, E., 1924. Color changes in plumage
of poultry after thyroid administration. Report of Second World's Poultry Congress. Part 11:45-47. Hutt, F. B., 1930. A note on the effects of different doses of thyroid on the fowl. Jour. Exp. Biol. 71:1-6. Irwin, M. R., and H. L. Kempster, 1942. The value of soybean oil meal in broiler rations. Mo. Agri. Exp. Sta. Bui. 441. Koger, M., V. Hurst, and C. W. Turner, 1942. Relation of thyroid to growth. Endocrinology. 31(2):237-244. Koger, M., E. P. Reineke, and C. W. Turner, 1943. Influence on growth of thyroactive iodocasein. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol, and Med. 52:236. Martin, J. H., 1929. Effect of excessive doses of thyroid on the domestic fowl. Biol. Bui. 56: 357. Parhon, C. J. and C , 1914. Note sur l'hyperthyroidisation chez les viseaux et sur les resistance des animaux amisi traites aux infectious spontanee. Comp. Rend. Soc. de Biol. 76:662663. Parker, J. E., 1943. Influence of thyroactive iodocasein on the growth of chicks. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. & Med. 52:236. Reineke, E. P., M. B. Williamson, and C. W. Turner, 1942. The effect of progressive iodination on the thyroidal activity of iodinated casein. Jour. Biol. Chem. 143(1) :285-293. Torrey, H. B., and B. Horning, 1925. Effect of thyroid feeding on color and form of feathers of fowls. Anal. Rec. 24(6) :395-396. Zavadovsky, B., 1925. The effect of feeding fowls on thyroid gland. Endocrinology 9(2) :125-136.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of California Santa Barbara/Davidson Library on June 25, 2015
mental lots receiving thyroactive iodocasein as compared to control groups: (1) an increase in heart weight, (2) a slight decrease in pituitary weights of males, and (3) a decrease in gonad weights of both males and females. 5. Experimental lots receiving thyroactive iodocasein and controls did not show significant differences in weights of kidneys, liver, and adrenals except as previously noted in the case of the adrenals of the group receiving 227 grams of thyroacitve iodocasein per 100 pounds mash. 6. The results of this investigation indicate that thyroactive iodocasein of the potency used (2 percent and 3.1 percent of the potency of thyroxine) produces the most satisfactory results from the standpoint of both growth and feathering at levels of 113 and 36 grams respectively per 100 pounds of mash.
TURNER
University of Missouri, Columbia Missouri (Received for publication April 14, 1943)
M
ANY investigators during the past three decades have reported on the various effects of feeding fresh or desiccated thyroid to chickens. Results have been variable, dependent upon dosage level and potency of the material. Most of the work reported has concerned adult stock, and the data relative to chicks and young growing stock appears to be meager. Crew and Huxley (1923) fed dried thyroid to 12 chicks and found no significant difference in weight between the control and experimental group. It is known that thyroid given in excessive amount will retard the rate of growth or even cause a loss of body weight. However, some investigators have reported acceleration of the growth rate in dogs, rats, and mice when thyroid was fed in optimum amounts. Recently Koger and associates (1942, 1943) reported improvement of growth and appetite in mice receiving subcutaneous injections of crystalline thyroxine and the feeding of thyroactive iodinated casein. The earlier literature offers no evidence that thyroactive material will stimulate feather growth in young chicks. However, Cole and Reid (1924) observed in adult stock that the replacement of feathers on * Contribution from the Departments of Poultry and Dairy Husbandry, Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, Journal Series No. 891.
birds receiving desiccated thyroid was noticeably more rapid than in others. Recently Parker (1943) reported that the feeding of thyroactive iodocasein to Rhode Island Red chicks to 12 weeks of age increased the rate of feathering significantly. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
Thyroactive iodocasein1 (hereinafter referred to variously as thyroprotein) prepared by the method described by Reineke and co-workers (1942) was mixed at various levels with ration 4008 reported by Irwin and Kempster (1942). The composition of this ration which was fed to the control lots and used as a basal in all trials is as follows: Yellow corn meal Bran Alfalfa leaf meal (20 percent protein) Shorts Meat scrap (SO percent protein) Soybean oil meal Bone meal Salt Feeding oil (8S A.O.A.C. units D)
Pounds 45 5 10 IS 7 IS 0.S 1 l
The thyroactive iodocasein was weighed to the nearest 0.1 gram and mixed with about 20 pounds of mash. This mixture was 1
This material was supplied by Dr. W. R. Graham, Jr., Cerophyl Laboratory, Kansas City, Missouri.
[374]
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of California Santa Barbara/Davidson Library on June 25, 2015
Effect of Feeding Thyroactive Iodocasein on Growth, Feathering, and Weights of Glands of Young Chicks*
375
EFFECT OF FEEDING THYROACTIVE IODOCASEIN
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 1. Growth. The results of the first trial to determine the effect of thyroprotein on
tory results with other animals and adjusted for the relative body weight of the chicks. The particular lot of thyroactive iodocasein used in this trial is referred to as Ce-II. By biological assay on guinea pigs it showed 2 percent Of the potency of thyroxine. The results show slightly improved growth and more efficient gains in the group fed 113 grams of thyroactive iodocasein added to 100 pounds of mash. The other groups compared favorably in size and economy of gains with the controls. The results of this trial indicate that a low level (113 grams per 100 pounds) of thyroactive iodocasein may slightly stimulate growth, at slightly higher levels growth is neither stimulated nor depressed, and at levels of^ 454 grams per 100 pounds of feed, growth, particularly in the females, may be adversely affected. A second trial was started August 13, 1942, as. a check on the previous trial. (Since 113 grams per 100 pounds of mash had appeared most favorable in the previous trial another lot was added using 51 grams per 100 pounds of mash.) The thyroactive iodocasein lot Fd 1-33 used in
TABLE 1.—The effect of various amounts of thyroactive iodocasein (Ce-11) on growth and efficiency of gains in White Rocks to six weeks of age. Hatched June 18, 1942 Lotl Controls
Age in Wt. in gms. weeks 10 9 females males 0 2 4 6
44 111 261 477
43 108 236 418
Lot 2 113 gms. per 100 pounds
Lbs. Wt. in gms. feed per lb. 8 12 fegain males males 3.12 3.53 3.48
44 117 302 522
44 113 245 452
Lot 3 227 gms. per 100 pounds
Lbs. Wt. in gms. feed per lb. 7 l i f e gain males males 2.90 3.54 2.93
42 97 233 439
growth are shown in Table 1. Since no information was available concerning optimum levels of thyroactive iodocasein for chickens, the levels used in this trial were based on levels which had given satisfac-
43 102 252 432
Lot 4 339 gms. per 100 pounds
Lbs. Wt. in gms. feed per lb. 10 10 fegain males males 3.39 3.24 3.21
43 109 258 472
41 99 232 417
Lot 5 454 gms. per 100 pounds
Lbs. Wt. in gms. feed 8 feper lb. 9 gain males males
Lbs. feed per lb. gain
42 103 249 454
3.03 3.86 3.63
2.77 2.79 2.62
41 95 226 384
this and the subsequent test was prepared by an improved process and consequently showed higher biological activity. As tested on guinea pigs it exerted 3.1 percent of the response of thyroxine—an increase of 55
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of California Santa Barbara/Davidson Library on June 25, 2015
added to the remainder of the original 100 pounds of mash and thoroughly mixed in an electric mixer so that the thyroactive iodocasein was thoroughly dispersed throughout the mash. Chicks were individually wing banded and weighed at hatching and at two-week intervals thereafter. The chicks were brooded in electric batteries until six weeks of age at which time they were transferred to unheated growing quarters. The room temperature throughout the brooding and growing period was relatively high, ranging from 75 to 85°F. The birds which were killed for determination of gland weights were weighed live, and after bleeding and removing the feathers the various glands were dissected out and weighed. Care was taken to dissect all fat and surplus tissue from each gland. In order to prevent drying of the glands they were placed in covered petri dishes containing moistened filter paper.
376 x
M. RICHARD IRWIN, E. P. REINKE, AND C. W. TURNER
TABLE 2.—Effect of thyroactive iodocasein (Fd 1-33) at various levels on growth in White Rocks to 12 weeks of age. Hatched August 13,1942
Lot 1 Age in
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
41 103 277 479 730 1,119 1,442
42 94 254 424 633 905 1,159
Lot 3 102 gms. per 100 pounds
Lot 4 204 gms. per 100 pounds
Lot 5 306 gms. per 100 pounds
Lot 6 408 gms. per 100 pounds
Wt. in grams
Wt. in grams
Wt. in grams
Wt. in grams
Wt. in grams
8 males
8 males
3 males
6 females
2 males
1 female
1 male
1 female
43 86 187 362 609 888 967
40 79 176 336 510 691 830
41 62 132 228 380 510 572
37 70 184 276
37 82 168 224 382 474 557
40 84 235 403 673 957 1,244
9 females 40 91 243 397 627 869 1,082
42 88 218 389 627 873 1,155
8 females 42 87 210 343 546 792 1,035
percent above the potency of the first lot of thyroprotein used. „ One more group of chicks was used in this than in the previous trial, and the amount of thyroprotein given was adjusted so that the group receiving the lowest level received about three-fourths of the actual thyroidal stimulation given to the lowest group in the previous trial. Lot 6, therefore, received a dosage about 75 percent higher than the highest amount used in the previous trial, when the comparative potency of the two lots of thyroprotein used is considered. (Table 2) Almost immediately after the start of this trial it was apparent that the highest dosage levels used were in excess of the capacity of the chicks to tolerate them. Chicks, particularly in lots S and 6, began to die at a high rate, approximately 50 percent of these groups being dead at the end of the first week. Death losses continued at a lower rate throughout the trial periods in lots 4, 5, and 6 so that accurate calculation of efficiency of gains as evidenced by pounds of feed required to produce a pound of gain was impossible. In this trial the average weight of the control chicks was greater for both males and females than the weights of chicks in any of the experimental lots. The weight of chicks in the experimental lots became
45 91 233 421 692 947 1,236
— — —
progressively lower as more thyroactive iodocasein was used. Female chicks appeared to be more sensitive to the high level of thyroactive iodocasein, particularly in lot S, than were the male chicks. C. J. and C. Parhon (1914), Zavadovsky (1925), and Martin (1929) reported marked excitability as a symptom of hyperthyroidismf The chicks in lot 6 were dull acting, moved about infrequently, and appeared to be hot as evidenced by continual panting during the last two or three weeks of the trial. Since in the trial just described even the lowest dosage depressed growth slightly a new trial started September 24, 1942, employed successively lower levels of thyroprotein than had been used in any previous trial. Since there was considerable evidence that thyroxine affects the pigmentation of colored plumage, lot 6 was included to determine the effect of a high level (227 grams per 100 pounds) on pigmentation of plumage in Single Comb Rhode Island Reds. The results of this trial are shown in Table 3 and a description of the effects of thyroprotein on growth and pigmentation of feathers will be given later in the discussion. In this trial lots 2, 3, 4, and 5 either equaled or exceeded the growth rate of the controls during the first 6 weeks. The 40 experimental male chicks averaged
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weeks Wt. in grams 10 7 females males
Lot 2 51 gms. per 100 pounds
377
EFFECT OF FEEDING THYROACTIVE IODOCASEIN TABLE 3.—Effect
Age
of Thyroactive iodocasein (Fd 1-33) on growth to 12 weeks of age when fed at various levels to White Rocks hatched September 24, 1942
Lot 1 Controls
in
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
43 80 193 420 734 998 1,331
42 81 184 387 656 893 1,190
Lot 3 9.0 gms. per 100 pounds
Lot 4 18 gms. per 100 pounds
Lot 5 36 gms. per 100 pounds
Lot 6 227 gms. per 100 pounds
Wt. in grams
Wt. in grams
Wt. in grams
Wt. in grams
Wt. in grams
10 males
10 males
10 males 43 89 222 465 754 1,045 1,354
10 females 41 85 215 415 632 890 1,161
10 males 41 86 208 430 681 982 1,370
10 females 42 74 190 386 601 880 1,175
10 percent more and the 37 female chicks averaged 7.5 percent more in body weight than the controls. During the last 6 weeks, the rate of growth of lots 2, 3, and 4 was reduced somewhat so that the final weights of the males averaged only slightly above the controls (12 grams) and the females slightly below the controls (6 grams). The males in lot 5 which received 36 grams of thyroprotein per 100 pounds continued to grow more rapidly than the controls. It is evident from this trial that thyroprotein at levels of 4.S, 9.0, and 18.0 grams per 100 pounds has no apparent effect upon growth after six weeks. This trial and other incompleted trials suggest that 36.0 to 45.0 grams of thyroprotein per 100 pounds as used in this trial may improve the growth of male White
41 88 220 437 658 994 1,305
10 females 43 87 211 440 708 917 1,215
44 87 224 516 782 1,145 1,440
7 females
5 males
43 42 73 87 152 210 318 425 512 643 730 927 1,179 1,010
2 females 42 64 114 224 360 523 761
Rock chicks during the first 12 weeks. Data on the growth of the females after six weeks is inconclusive. These are optimum levels from the standpoint of growth. 2. Feathering. One of the most noticeable characteristics of the chicks fed thyroprotein was their superior feather growth as compared to the controls. The feather growth of the chicks fed thyroprotein was evident in the first trial, the results of which were shown in Table 1. The chicks in lots 4 and S were almost fully feathered at four weeks of age while the controls showed feathers only on wing, shoulder, and breast tracts. The degree of feathering at four weeks of age with increasing levels of thyroprotein is evident in Figure 1 which pictures representative chicks from the second trial
FIG. 1. Representative four-week-old chicks from lots (left to right) 1, 2, 3, and 4 in trial 2. Note that feathering was improved as the level of thyroactive iodocasein increased.
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weeks Wt. in grams 12 6 females males
Lot 2 4.5 gms. per 100 pounds
378
M.
RICHARD IRWIN, E. P. REINKE, AND C. W.
TURNER
TABLE 4.—Weights of glands in White Rock females fed thyroactive iodocasein (Fd 1-33) at various levels. Hatched September 24,1942. Weights taken at 12-14 weeks Lot no. Percent indi- Numcates thyroac- ber f etive iodocasein males level Control O.Ot 0.02 0.04 0.08
S.C. Red females 6 0.50
Live body weight
Heart
Kidney
Liver
Thymus
Pituitary
6 10 10 10 7
1,324 1,382 1,316 1,365 1,299
4.4 4.3 4.5 5.0 5.2
9.2 9.6 9.7 9.1 10.4
23.9 26.3 25.9 29.2 26.4
7.5 6.5 6.4 6.2 6.6
6.8 6.8 6.2 7.0 5.9
2
865
4.7
9.5
23.2
5.1
4.2
started August 13, 1942. The feathering improved as the level of thyroprotein increased. Representative chicks from lots 5 and 6 are not shown since they were fully feathered the same as the chicks from lot 4 shown in Figure 1. While the chicks in the second experiment showed improvement in feather growth among the experimental lots as compared to the controls the improvement was not so marked as in the experimental groups which were fed higher levels of thyroprotein in the previous trial. 3. Weights of Glands. In order to determine the effect of thyroprotein upon gland activity as measured by weight and compared to normal birds of the same age and weight as represented by the controls, all of the lots in the third trial were killed and determination of gland weights made
Thyroid 102.5 24.6 18.7 20.3 16.4 •
12.1
Adrenal
Ovary
61.0 77.4 74.6 66.9 69.7
389 365 379 365 339
83.0
260
as previously described. These data for the females are shown in Table 4 and for males in Table 5. The discrepancies in live weight shown by a comparison of Tables 4 and 5 with Table 3 are due to the gain in weight made by the birds from the time of the final 12 weeks' weight until the time of slaughter. The most striking change in weights of glands is shown by the average weights of the thyroids from both males and females in the controls as compared with thyroid weights of the experimental lots. It is apparent from these weights that thyroprotein has a depressing effect upon the thyroid gland of chicks. That higher levels of thyroprotein further depress the thyroid is evidenced by the weights of thyroid glands from males and females in lot 6. It is also interesting to note that the average thyroid
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1 2 3 4 5
Average weight in milligrams
Average weight in grams
TABLE 5.—Weights of glands in White Rock males fed thyroactive iodocasein (Fd 1-33) at various levels. Hatched September 24, 1942. Weights taken at 12-14 weeks Lot no. Percent indi- Numcates thyroac- ber tive iodocasein males level
Average weight in milligrams
Average weight in grams Live body weight
Heart
Kidney
Liver
Thymus
Pituitary Thyroid
Adrenal
Testes
Control 0.01 0.02 0.04 0.08
11 10 10 10 10
1,477 1,467 1,472 1,437 1,521
5.6 5.1 5.5 5.7 7.2
10.1 9.9 10.3 10.5 12.6
27.3 27.2 28.0 28.5 32.2
6.2 4.8 7.0 5.9 7.3
8.5 7.8 8.1 7.0 7.4
48.1 20.4 17.5 25.2 24.7
90.7 87.0 87.5 96.5 97.5
506 422 406 368 408
S.C. Red males 6 0.50
4
1,061
4.8
9.0
23.0
4.5
4.7
10.0
99.2
185
1 2 3 4 5
EFFECT OF FEEDING THYHOACTIVE IODOCASEIN
EFFECTS ON PIGMENTATION OF COLORED PLUMAGE
The effects of hyperthyroidism on pigmentation have been noted by numerous investigators. Giacomini (1924), Zavadovsky (1925), and Hutt (1930) observed depigmentation of plumage following the feeding of desiccated thyroid. Cole and Reid (1924) and Torrey and Horning
(1925) observed an increased melanism. In the third trial started September 24, 1942, Single Comb Rhode Island Red chicks were included to observe the effects of feeding a high level of thyroprotein (227 grams per 100 pounds) on pigmentation of plumage. Normal Single Comb Reds from the same hatch were not available but other hatches from the same source served as controls for color comparison. The plumage color of the chicks fed thyroprotein was a very light red and mottled with black and white on the surface while the under-color of the chicks was a solid slate color commonly referred to by Red breeders as "smut." All groups of normal chicks obtained from the same source and fed the control ration were a sound dark red color in surface plumage with slight amounts of smut in undercolor among a few individuals. CONCLUSIONS 1. Thyroactive iodocasein with a potency 3.1 percent that of thyroxine mixed in a basal mash at the level of 36 grams per 100 pounds of mash produced slightly heavier chicks at 12 weeks of age than the controls. When fed at levels lower than 36 grams per 100 pounds of mash thyroactive iodocasein did not produce weights different than the controls. At levels higher than 113 grams of thyroactive iodocasein with a potency 2 percent that of thyroxine, per 100 pounds of mash, growth was depressed and mortality increased as the level of thyroactive iodocasein increased. 2. Feather growth in chicks improved as the level of thyroactive iodocasein added to the mash increased. 3. Thyroactive iodocasein when fed in the mash at levels of 4.5 to 227 grams per 100 pounds depressed the thyroid weight below that of the controls. 4. The data presented indicate the following trends in gland weights of experi-
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weight of the normal females was double that of the normal male chicks. Other data by the writers (unpublished) do not show any difference in weights of thyroids in normal males and females but did show an equivalent decline in weight of the thyroid in chicks receiving comparable amounts of thyroprotein. Another observation of interest is the adrenal weight of the males and females in lot 6 as compared to the adrenal weight of the birds in the other lots. The adrenal weights of birds in lot 6 averaged heavier than for the other groups despite the fact that body weight of the birds in lot 6 averaged lower than that of other groups. The adrenal cortex becomes hyperactive when the individual is subjected to adverse conditions. It is evident from the heavier weights of glands from birds in lot 6 that the adrenals of these birds were very active as a result of extreme hyperthyroidism produced by an overdose of thyroprotein. Other differences in gland weights are not so evident as those of the thyroid and adrenals. In general, these data and other unpublished data indicate the following trends in experimental lots fed thyroprotein as compared to control groups: (1) an increase in heart weight probably a result of increased heart rate, (2) some decrease in the pituitary weights of males, and (3) a decrease in gonad weights of both males and females. Other differences in gland weights may be accounted for by comparable differences in body weights.
379
380
M. RICHARD IRWIN, E. P. REINKE, AND C. W.
REFERENCES
Cole, L. J., and D. H. Reid, 1924. The effect of feeding thyroid on the plumage of fowl. Journ. Agri. Res. 29:285-287. Crew, F. A. E., and J. S. Huxley, 1923. The relation of internal secretion to reproduction and growth in the domestic fowl. Vet. Jour. 29:343-348. Giacomini, E., 1924. Color changes in plumage
of poultry after thyroid administration. Report of Second World's Poultry Congress. Part 11:45-47. Hutt, F. B., 1930. A note on the effects of different doses of thyroid on the fowl. Jour. Exp. Biol. 71:1-6. Irwin, M. R., and H. L. Kempster, 1942. The value of soybean oil meal in broiler rations. Mo. Agri. Exp. Sta. Bui. 441. Koger, M., V. Hurst, and C. W. Turner, 1942. Relation of thyroid to growth. Endocrinology. 31(2):237-244. Koger, M., E. P. Reineke, and C. W. Turner, 1943. Influence on growth of thyroactive iodocasein. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol, and Med. 52:236. Martin, J. H., 1929. Effect of excessive doses of thyroid on the domestic fowl. Biol. Bui. 56: 357. Parhon, C. J. and C , 1914. Note sur l'hyperthyroidisation chez les viseaux et sur les resistance des animaux amisi traites aux infectious spontanee. Comp. Rend. Soc. de Biol. 76:662663. Parker, J. E., 1943. Influence of thyroactive iodocasein on the growth of chicks. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. & Med. 52:236. Reineke, E. P., M. B. Williamson, and C. W. Turner, 1942. The effect of progressive iodination on the thyroidal activity of iodinated casein. Jour. Biol. Chem. 143(1) :285-293. Torrey, H. B., and B. Horning, 1925. Effect of thyroid feeding on color and form of feathers of fowls. Anal. Rec. 24(6) :395-396. Zavadovsky, B., 1925. The effect of feeding fowls on thyroid gland. Endocrinology 9(2) :125-136.
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mental lots receiving thyroactive iodocasein as compared to control groups: (1) an increase in heart weight, (2) a slight decrease in pituitary weights of males, and (3) a decrease in gonad weights of both males and females. 5. Experimental lots receiving thyroactive iodocasein and controls did not show significant differences in weights of kidneys, liver, and adrenals except as previously noted in the case of the adrenals of the group receiving 227 grams of thyroacitve iodocasein per 100 pounds mash. 6. The results of this investigation indicate that thyroactive iodocasein of the potency used (2 percent and 3.1 percent of the potency of thyroxine) produces the most satisfactory results from the standpoint of both growth and feathering at levels of 113 and 36 grams respectively per 100 pounds of mash.
TURNER