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Rickets in Chicks
RICKETS IN CHICKS II.
VARIATIONS IN THE ANTIRACHITIC POTENCY OP DIFFERENT GRADES OF COD LIVER OIL G. F. HEUSER AND L . C. N O R R I S
(From the Department.of Poultry Husbandry, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y.)
It has been pointed out that there are marked variations in the antirachitic value^ of different brands of eod liver oil, when these oils are fed to chicks in limited but equal quantities. Because of these results it was thought possible that there might be similar variations in the potency of different grades of eod liver oil, if used as a preventive of rickets in chicks. That the problem is important is revealed by the interest of poultrymen in this matter. We are frequently called upon to give our opinion as to the comparative value of the brown codliver oils, produced either by the rotting process or from the final extraction of fresh livers, and the pale lemon cod liver oils, obtained by steaming or cooking fresh livers. Fish liver oils produced by the rotting process are reported by Holmes' to have a loAver vitamin content than oils produced from fresh livers. Drummond, Zilva and Golding'* give several eases where brown cod liver oils compare favorably with medicinal cod liver oils. The evidence in respect to the relative vitamin value of these grades of oil is, therefore, not conclusive. Even though it were, it is questionable whether results obtained by the use of Avhite rats can be translated into recommendations for chicks, especially in view of the fact that in chick rearing the problem of preventing rickets usually presents greater difficulties than that of preventing the evils arising from a deficiency of vitamin A. Another question often asked is whether or not cod liver oils of Norwegian origin are richer in vitamins than those of American origin. Zilva and Drummond* found that the average potency of Newfoundland cod liver oils was as high as the most active Finmarken oils of Norway and higher than the average potency of the greater number of samples of Lofoten oils studied. These results were also obtained from studies with rats. Therefore, to get some evidence in regard to the points just raised 94
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Karolinska Institutet University Library on May 30, 2015
(Received for Publication 5-13-26)
RICKETS IN CHICKS
95
which would be applicable to poultry, experiments with chicks were undertaken, the results of which are presented in this paper. EXPERIMENTAL
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Karolinska Institutet University Library on May 30, 2015
Four different grades of cod liver oil were studied in this ex periment. These were American refined cod liver oil, tested biologically for vitamin content, American refined cod liver oil, NorΛvegian refined cod liver oil, and broAvn cod liver oil. The tested cod liver oil used would now correspond to the TJ. S. P. grade of oil. With the exception of the tested oil composite samples of these grades of oil were made up so as to overcome the effect, to some extent at least, of variations in vitamin content of different sam ples of cod liver oil. Equal volumes of every oil received from a different source were used in making up these composite sam ples. Three different brands of oil were obtained for the composite sample of American refined cod liver oil. The sample of Nor wegian refined cod liver oil consisted of five brands of oil of the Lofoten variety. Pour oils of both American and Norwegian origin were used in making up the composite sample of brown cod liver oil. In this experiment the ration provided consisted of grain and mash mixtures known to produce normal growth without the oc currence of rickets, when the chicks were exposed either to direct sunlight or to ultraviolet light. In every lot receiving cod liver oil 0.2 per cent of the appropriate oil was mixed into both the grain and mash. Fresh supplies of this feed were prepared weekly and all old feed discarded at that time. Forty Leghorn chicks were put in each lot forty-eight hours after hatching. One lot of chicks served as a control and re ceived no cod liver oil in its ration. The experiment was con ducted for a period of eight weeks. The chicks were confined in doors and were never exposed to direct sunlight at any time dur ing the experimental period. When chicks in all lots except the control developed rickets to such and extent that they were decidedly stiff and lame, they were removed from the pen at time of weighing. Therefore, the growth eurve.s of those groups receiving cod liver oil in which
POULTRY
m
SCIENCE
1 BR C. L.O.
500
ÎRAMâ
1
AMERrCAN REFINED C.L.O. * t
^00
AMEf ICAN REF NED C.L .0. NORWEOIAN (SO)R REFINED C.L.O. 9(62.5)R NO C.L.O. î (lOO.O )R Xi!(47.S)R / 1
»(
300
»i!(86.l)R .5)R 1(77.8 ) R
200
'(2.5) ^(36.1) R
/(
100
5.3) R L 1 R = RICKETS *
= ATTACK (IF 1
00
C0CCIOIO3 IS
.
. if
PLATE I R A T E OF GROWTH AND PEHCENTAGE OF R I C K E T S AT 8 W E E K S
These results indicate that only the tested cod liver oil and the brown cod liver oil provided complete protection again.st rickets throughout the experimental period. The American refined oil, however gave almost complete protection but the Norwegian refined oil was decidedly inferior to the other grades of oil used. All the chicks in the control lot had developed rickets at 8 weeks of age. The growth results were slightly affected by an attack of coccidiosis which developed in all but one of the lots. In general, however, these results are correlated with the percentage of rickets in each lot even though the chicks, markedly stiff and lame with rickets are not included in the results. At the conclusion of the experiment three cockerels from each group were taken for bone analysis. These birds were so se-
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Karolinska Institutet University Library on May 30, 2015
Tickets occurred approach more nearly to the normal because the effect upon growth of the more advanced stages of rickets is eliminated. The rate of growth and the occurrence and amount of rickets in each lot is given in Plate I.
RICKETS
IN
CHICKS
97
TABI-E
I
A N A L Y S E S OF F A T - F R E E DRY F E M U R AND T I B I A OF COCKERELS AT 8 W E E K S
OF A G E
Chick Live Ash No. Wt.
gm.
gill.
Ash
Calcium Phos- Lame- Bead phorus ness ing oi ribs
%
%
None None None
None None None
42.69 15.17 7.75 42.46 15.37 7.83 45.07 16.55 8.13 43.40 15.70 7.90
None None None
None None None
2495 520 1.4191 42.62 15.11 7.79 6308 500 1.2391 39.92 14.57 7.39 6314 530 1.6063 46.51 17.39 8.42
None None None
None None None
None None None
Slight None Slight
American Refined Cod Liver Oil
6467 6473 6497
550 550 525
1.4826 1.4976 1.6019
44.51 42.99 45.75
15.90 15.76 17.12
8.06 7.87 8.33
(Tested)
Ave.
542
1.5274
44.42
16.26
8.09
6623 6656 6657
560 560 575
1.4998 1.6504 1.5381
565
1.5628
ΤΛ
-.
-—
J^ ^ Ί
Brown Cod Liver Oil
Ave. American Refined Cod Liver Oil
Norvi^egian Refined Cod Liver Oil
Control
Ave.
517
1.4215
43.02
15.69
7.83
6138 6144 6147 Ave.
475 525 530
40.03 44.72 37.14
14.53 16.32 12.99
7.23 8.13 6.89
510
1.1638 1.4058 1.1147 1.2281
40.63
14.61
7.42
2653 6142 6157 Ave.
460 470 495
1.2093 1.1224 1.2502
38.78 37.72 38.54
13.75 13.60 13.63
7.10 6.73 7.06
475
1.1940
38.35
13.66
6.96
6135 4450 4466 Ave.
480 350 355
0.9951 0.7927 0.7006
32.62 38.73 33.71
11.24 13.82 11.86
5.99 6.98 6.33
395
0.8295
35.02
12.31
6.43
6671 225 0.5176 33.37 12.37 5.93 6682 205 0.5796 33.39 12.67 6.27 4480 235 0.6550 33.73 11.71 6.23 Ave. 222 0.5841 33.50 12.25 6.14
Slight Slight Slight · Slight Slight Slight
Bad Bad Bad
Bad Slight Bad
Bad Bad Bad
Bad Bad Bad
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Karolinska Institutet University Library on May 30, 2015
lected that their average weight approximated the average weight of all the cockerels of their respective lots. In addition three cockerels showing slight stiffness and three badly lame, conditions which had developed during the last week of the ex perimental period, -were also taken for analysis from the group
98
POULTRY
SCIENCE
CONCLUSIONS
The Norwegian refined cod liver oil used in this experiment proved of decidedly lower antirachitic value, when 0.2 percent of the oil was fed to chicks, than the other grades of oil. The data also show that the American refined cod liver oil w-as slightly inferior in antirachitic potency to both the tested and bro\vn cod liver oils. Aside from the true purpose of the experiment certain of the analytical data indicate that no marked reduction of the mineral content of the bones of chicks is obtained until the chicks become stiff and lame and beading of the ribs takes place. Further evidence upon this point is being obtained. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1 H E U S E R , G . P . AXD NOHRIS, L . C , P O U L Ï E Y SCIENCE, vi
(1926), 9.
2 HOLMES, A. D., J. INDUS, AND E n g . Chem., xvi (1924), 964.
3 DRUMMONJI, J. C , ZiLA-A, S. S., AND GoLDiNG, J., J. Agr. Sci. xiii (1923), 153. * ZiLVA, S. S., AND DRUMMOND, J. C , J. Soc. Chem. Indu.s., xlii (1923), No. 18, 185T.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Karolinska Institutet University Library on May 30, 2015
which had received the Norwegian refined cod liver oil. With the exception of the check lot none of the other birds selected showed external evidence of rickets. The femur and tibia of the left leg of these birds were analyzed for ash, calcium and phosphorus. The results of this work in terms of total ash, and per cent ash, calcium and phosphorus in the fat free dry bones are presented in Table I; These results do not show any significant difference in the antirachitic potency of the tested, American refined and brown cod liver oils. The Norwegian refined cod liver oil, however, proved very much poorer in respect to the antirachitic factor than the other grades of oil used. This difference is emphasized all the more in view of the fact that it Avas impossible to select for analysis enough birds showing lameness from any of the other groups. With one exception all the birds taken for analysis from the group receiving Norwegian refined cod liver oil showed beading of the ribs at the junction with the spinal column. This condition was also found in the birds selected from the control lot but not in the other groups.
VARIATIONS IN THE ANTIRACHITIC POTENCY OP DIFFERENT GRADES OF COD LIVER OIL G. F. HEUSER AND L . C. N O R R I S
(From the Department.of Poultry Husbandry, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y.)
It has been pointed out that there are marked variations in the antirachitic value^ of different brands of eod liver oil, when these oils are fed to chicks in limited but equal quantities. Because of these results it was thought possible that there might be similar variations in the potency of different grades of eod liver oil, if used as a preventive of rickets in chicks. That the problem is important is revealed by the interest of poultrymen in this matter. We are frequently called upon to give our opinion as to the comparative value of the brown codliver oils, produced either by the rotting process or from the final extraction of fresh livers, and the pale lemon cod liver oils, obtained by steaming or cooking fresh livers. Fish liver oils produced by the rotting process are reported by Holmes' to have a loAver vitamin content than oils produced from fresh livers. Drummond, Zilva and Golding'* give several eases where brown cod liver oils compare favorably with medicinal cod liver oils. The evidence in respect to the relative vitamin value of these grades of oil is, therefore, not conclusive. Even though it were, it is questionable whether results obtained by the use of Avhite rats can be translated into recommendations for chicks, especially in view of the fact that in chick rearing the problem of preventing rickets usually presents greater difficulties than that of preventing the evils arising from a deficiency of vitamin A. Another question often asked is whether or not cod liver oils of Norwegian origin are richer in vitamins than those of American origin. Zilva and Drummond* found that the average potency of Newfoundland cod liver oils was as high as the most active Finmarken oils of Norway and higher than the average potency of the greater number of samples of Lofoten oils studied. These results were also obtained from studies with rats. Therefore, to get some evidence in regard to the points just raised 94
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Karolinska Institutet University Library on May 30, 2015
(Received for Publication 5-13-26)
RICKETS IN CHICKS
95
which would be applicable to poultry, experiments with chicks were undertaken, the results of which are presented in this paper. EXPERIMENTAL
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Karolinska Institutet University Library on May 30, 2015
Four different grades of cod liver oil were studied in this ex periment. These were American refined cod liver oil, tested biologically for vitamin content, American refined cod liver oil, NorΛvegian refined cod liver oil, and broAvn cod liver oil. The tested cod liver oil used would now correspond to the TJ. S. P. grade of oil. With the exception of the tested oil composite samples of these grades of oil were made up so as to overcome the effect, to some extent at least, of variations in vitamin content of different sam ples of cod liver oil. Equal volumes of every oil received from a different source were used in making up these composite sam ples. Three different brands of oil were obtained for the composite sample of American refined cod liver oil. The sample of Nor wegian refined cod liver oil consisted of five brands of oil of the Lofoten variety. Pour oils of both American and Norwegian origin were used in making up the composite sample of brown cod liver oil. In this experiment the ration provided consisted of grain and mash mixtures known to produce normal growth without the oc currence of rickets, when the chicks were exposed either to direct sunlight or to ultraviolet light. In every lot receiving cod liver oil 0.2 per cent of the appropriate oil was mixed into both the grain and mash. Fresh supplies of this feed were prepared weekly and all old feed discarded at that time. Forty Leghorn chicks were put in each lot forty-eight hours after hatching. One lot of chicks served as a control and re ceived no cod liver oil in its ration. The experiment was con ducted for a period of eight weeks. The chicks were confined in doors and were never exposed to direct sunlight at any time dur ing the experimental period. When chicks in all lots except the control developed rickets to such and extent that they were decidedly stiff and lame, they were removed from the pen at time of weighing. Therefore, the growth eurve.s of those groups receiving cod liver oil in which
POULTRY
m
SCIENCE
1 BR C. L.O.
500
ÎRAMâ
1
AMERrCAN REFINED C.L.O. * t
^00
AMEf ICAN REF NED C.L .0. NORWEOIAN (SO)R REFINED C.L.O. 9(62.5)R NO C.L.O. î (lOO.O )R Xi!(47.S)R / 1
»(
300
»i!(86.l)R .5)R 1(77.8 ) R
200
'(2.5) ^(36.1) R
/(
100
5.3) R L 1 R = RICKETS *
= ATTACK (IF 1
00
C0CCIOIO3 IS
.
. if
PLATE I R A T E OF GROWTH AND PEHCENTAGE OF R I C K E T S AT 8 W E E K S
These results indicate that only the tested cod liver oil and the brown cod liver oil provided complete protection again.st rickets throughout the experimental period. The American refined oil, however gave almost complete protection but the Norwegian refined oil was decidedly inferior to the other grades of oil used. All the chicks in the control lot had developed rickets at 8 weeks of age. The growth results were slightly affected by an attack of coccidiosis which developed in all but one of the lots. In general, however, these results are correlated with the percentage of rickets in each lot even though the chicks, markedly stiff and lame with rickets are not included in the results. At the conclusion of the experiment three cockerels from each group were taken for bone analysis. These birds were so se-
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Karolinska Institutet University Library on May 30, 2015
Tickets occurred approach more nearly to the normal because the effect upon growth of the more advanced stages of rickets is eliminated. The rate of growth and the occurrence and amount of rickets in each lot is given in Plate I.
RICKETS
IN
CHICKS
97
TABI-E
I
A N A L Y S E S OF F A T - F R E E DRY F E M U R AND T I B I A OF COCKERELS AT 8 W E E K S
OF A G E
Chick Live Ash No. Wt.
gm.
gill.
Ash
Calcium Phos- Lame- Bead phorus ness ing oi ribs
%
%
None None None
None None None
42.69 15.17 7.75 42.46 15.37 7.83 45.07 16.55 8.13 43.40 15.70 7.90
None None None
None None None
2495 520 1.4191 42.62 15.11 7.79 6308 500 1.2391 39.92 14.57 7.39 6314 530 1.6063 46.51 17.39 8.42
None None None
None None None
None None None
Slight None Slight
American Refined Cod Liver Oil
6467 6473 6497
550 550 525
1.4826 1.4976 1.6019
44.51 42.99 45.75
15.90 15.76 17.12
8.06 7.87 8.33
(Tested)
Ave.
542
1.5274
44.42
16.26
8.09
6623 6656 6657
560 560 575
1.4998 1.6504 1.5381
565
1.5628
ΤΛ
-.
-—
J^ ^ Ί
Brown Cod Liver Oil
Ave. American Refined Cod Liver Oil
Norvi^egian Refined Cod Liver Oil
Control
Ave.
517
1.4215
43.02
15.69
7.83
6138 6144 6147 Ave.
475 525 530
40.03 44.72 37.14
14.53 16.32 12.99
7.23 8.13 6.89
510
1.1638 1.4058 1.1147 1.2281
40.63
14.61
7.42
2653 6142 6157 Ave.
460 470 495
1.2093 1.1224 1.2502
38.78 37.72 38.54
13.75 13.60 13.63
7.10 6.73 7.06
475
1.1940
38.35
13.66
6.96
6135 4450 4466 Ave.
480 350 355
0.9951 0.7927 0.7006
32.62 38.73 33.71
11.24 13.82 11.86
5.99 6.98 6.33
395
0.8295
35.02
12.31
6.43
6671 225 0.5176 33.37 12.37 5.93 6682 205 0.5796 33.39 12.67 6.27 4480 235 0.6550 33.73 11.71 6.23 Ave. 222 0.5841 33.50 12.25 6.14
Slight Slight Slight · Slight Slight Slight
Bad Bad Bad
Bad Slight Bad
Bad Bad Bad
Bad Bad Bad
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Karolinska Institutet University Library on May 30, 2015
lected that their average weight approximated the average weight of all the cockerels of their respective lots. In addition three cockerels showing slight stiffness and three badly lame, conditions which had developed during the last week of the ex perimental period, -were also taken for analysis from the group
98
POULTRY
SCIENCE
CONCLUSIONS
The Norwegian refined cod liver oil used in this experiment proved of decidedly lower antirachitic value, when 0.2 percent of the oil was fed to chicks, than the other grades of oil. The data also show that the American refined cod liver oil w-as slightly inferior in antirachitic potency to both the tested and bro\vn cod liver oils. Aside from the true purpose of the experiment certain of the analytical data indicate that no marked reduction of the mineral content of the bones of chicks is obtained until the chicks become stiff and lame and beading of the ribs takes place. Further evidence upon this point is being obtained. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1 H E U S E R , G . P . AXD NOHRIS, L . C , P O U L Ï E Y SCIENCE, vi
(1926), 9.
2 HOLMES, A. D., J. INDUS, AND E n g . Chem., xvi (1924), 964.
3 DRUMMONJI, J. C , ZiLA-A, S. S., AND GoLDiNG, J., J. Agr. Sci. xiii (1923), 153. * ZiLVA, S. S., AND DRUMMOND, J. C , J. Soc. Chem. Indu.s., xlii (1923), No. 18, 185T.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Karolinska Institutet University Library on May 30, 2015
which had received the Norwegian refined cod liver oil. With the exception of the check lot none of the other birds selected showed external evidence of rickets. The femur and tibia of the left leg of these birds were analyzed for ash, calcium and phosphorus. The results of this work in terms of total ash, and per cent ash, calcium and phosphorus in the fat free dry bones are presented in Table I; These results do not show any significant difference in the antirachitic potency of the tested, American refined and brown cod liver oils. The Norwegian refined cod liver oil, however, proved very much poorer in respect to the antirachitic factor than the other grades of oil used. This difference is emphasized all the more in view of the fact that it Avas impossible to select for analysis enough birds showing lameness from any of the other groups. With one exception all the birds taken for analysis from the group receiving Norwegian refined cod liver oil showed beading of the ribs at the junction with the spinal column. This condition was also found in the birds selected from the control lot but not in the other groups.