NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
136
GROWTH
RATE
OF
CHICKS
[ Vol. XXVI, Part III,
rotated each week to eliminate possible effect of position. Feed and water were
supplied ad libitum. The feed remaining each day was weighed back and not offered
again. Records of weekly weights, mortality and feed consumption were kept.
TABLE I
Composition of basal diet
Basal diet
Ground yellow maize
Wheat bran
Groundnut cake
Fishmeal
Steamed bonemeal
Limestone
Lucerne leaves
Salt
Sharkliver oil
parts
50
10
30
5
2
1
1
½
½
The basal diet shown in Table I contained approximately 21 per cent protein
(6,25 × Nitrogen). The basal diet was fed to four groups of 11 chicks each. The
other four groups of 11 chicks each received the basal diet plus 9 grams aureomycin
and 9 milligrams vitamin B 12 per ton of feed (Aurofac at rate of 5 lb. per ton).
The experiment was originally planned to continue for an eight-week period
but due to a serious outbreak of fowl pox during the early part of the seventh week,
resulting in a number of deaths in birds, it became necessary to summarize the
results at the end of six weeks.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A summary of the data obtained on growth and gain per lb. of feed fed, is
shown in Table II.
TABLE II
Effect of aureomycin and vitamin B 12 on the growth rate and feed consumed by White
Leghorn chicks up to six weeks of age
Diets
Basic only
Basic
aureomycin
and B 12 .
Least
significant
mean difference
No. of
Chicks
44
44
—
Average weight per chick (grams)
Start
47.6
47.2
—
2 weeks
74.5
81.5
10.7a
3 weeks
94.0
108.4
13.8b
4 weeks
125.3
147.8
17.6a
5 weeks
164.3
188.4
22.5a
6 weeks
211.1
242.1
28.6a
Gain per l b.
feed consumed
(gm.)
67.2
71.4
a-p.05
b-p.02.
September, 1956]
ALEX
REED
AND
JOHN
VELU
137
The addition of aureomycin and vitamin B 12 gave a significant increase in growth
of chicks from three to six weeks of age. The response from three days to two
weeks of age was evident but not quite significant statistically at the 5 per cent
level of probability.
Growth rates were markedly lower than those reported by many other workers.
Bose et. al., [1955] report an average weight of 243 gm. for the control and 290 gm.
for the treated chicks at six weeks of age. Saxena et. al., [1953] report 340 gm.
for untreated chicks and 372 gm. for treated chicks at four weeks of age. This may
be due in part to extremely unfavourable temperature during the experiment as it
was conducted during April and May. The official maximum temperature at
Allahabad was as much as 114°F. during the experimental period. Results also
indicate that there is wide variation in growth rate between individual chicks with
a range from 89.2 gm. for the smallest to 521.3 gm. for the largest chick. This
suggests need for more rigid selection for rate of growth and uniformity in breeding
stock.
SUMMARY
1. Aureomycin and vitamin B 12 gave a significant and consistent growth res-
ponse when fed to chicks from two to six weeks of age. Response to two weeks was
indicated but the difference was not great enough to be significant at the 5 per cent
level of probability.
2. Aureomycin and vitamin B 12 reduced the amount of feed per unit gain,
however, the difference was not significant.
3. The wide variation in growth rate between chicks indicates a lack of uni-
formity in the inherited growth rate stimulus in these chicks.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors gratefully acknowledge the kindness of Lederle Laboratories
(India) Ltd., Bombay, in furnishing the Aurofac (aureomycin and Vitamin B 12 )
used in this experiment.
REFERENCES
Berg, L. R., Gordon, E. Bearse, James McGinnis and Miller, V. L. (1950). "The Effect of Removing
Supplemental Aureomycin from the Ration on the Subsequent Growth of Chicks." Archives of
Biochem V. 29 No. 2 (reprint)
Biely, J., March, B.E. and Smith, D. F. (1942). "The Effect of Feeding Antibiotics on the Carbohydrate
and Protein Requirements of the Chick". Poult. Sci. 31: 863-780
—and
March. B. (1951). "The Effect of Aureomycin and Vitamins on the Growth Rate of
Chicks" Science 11 : 330-331
Bose, S., Tandon, H. P. and Iyer, S. G. (1955) "Studies on the Utilization of Vitamin B 12 and Antibio-
tics in Poultry Feed.' Indian Poult. Gaz. Vol XXXIX No. 1
Davis, R. L. and Briggs, G. M. (1951). "Studies with Antibiotics in Chick and Poult Starting
Rations" Poult. Sci 30 : 767-771
Groschke A. C. and Evans, R. J. (1950). "Effect of Antibiotics, Synthetic Vitamins, Vitamin B 12 and
APF Supplement on Chick Growth." Poult. Sci. 29: 616-618
Heuser, G. F. and Noris, L. C. (1952). "Some Results of Feeding Antibiotics to Chickens." Poult. Sci.
91 : 857-862
138
GROWTH
RATE
OF
CHICKS
[ Vol. XXVI, Part III,
Heywang, Burt, W. (1952). "The effect of Antibiotics on the Growth of White Leghorn Pullets".
Poult. Sci. 31: 857-862
Kratzer, F.H. (1952). "The Effect of Liver Concentrate and Aureomycin Upon the Growth of
Chicks." Poult Sci. 31: 899-901
Machlin, L.J., Dentont, C.A. Kellog, W.L. and Bird, H.R. (1952). "Effect of Dietary Antibiotic upon
food Efficiency and Protein Requirement of Growing Chicks." Poult. Sci. 31:106-109. (abstract)
Matterson, L.D. and Singsen, E.P. (1951). "A Comparison of Several Antibiotics as Growth Stimulants
in Practical Chick-Starting Rations." Storrs Agricultural Exp. Station, Storrs Connecticut
Pepper, W.F., Slinger, S.J. and Motzok, I. (1953)—"Effect of Aureomycin on the Niacin and
Manganese Requirements of Chicks." Poult. Sci. 32: 656-660
Petersen, C.F., Weise, A.C., Dahlstrom, R.V. and Lampman, C.E. (1962). "Influence of Vitamin
B 12 Antibiotics on Hatchability." Pouli. Sci. 31:129-132
Saxena, H.C., Berg, L.R. and McGinnis, J. (1952). "Factors Affecting the Growth Response of Chicks
and Turkey Poults to Antibiotics." Poul. Sci. 31: 1070-1074
Saxena, H.C., Milderd E. Starr. Lynn G. Blaylock, Carver G.S. and James McGinns. (1953). "Effect
of Dietary Penicillin on the Efficiency of Protein Utilization of Chicks." Arch. Biochem Biophysics,
Vol. 44 No. 2
Scott, H.M., Johnson, B.C. and Goffi, E.A. (1952). "Effect of Surface-Active Agents on Chick
Growth." Poult. Sci. 31: 746-747
Scott, H.M. and Glista, W.A. (1950). "The Effect of Aureomycin and Arsenic acid on Chick.
Growth." Pult. Sci. 29: 921-923
Scott, H.M., Goffi E.A. and Glista, W.A. (1952). "The Protein Requirement of the Chick as Influ-
enced by Aureomycin." Poult. Sci. 31: 751-752
Sizemore, J.R., Lillie, R.J., Denton, C.C. and Bird, H.R. (1953). "Influence of Aureomycin
in the Chick Diet Upon Subsequent Reproduction Performance of Laying Hens." Poult. Sci.
31: 618-624
Slinger, A.E., Ferguson, S.J. and McConachie, J.D. (1952). "A Carry-over Effect of Penicillin from
Dam to Progeny." Poult. Sci. 32:172-174
Stokstad, E.L.R. and Jukes, T.H. (1951). "Effect of Various Levels of Vitamin B 12 Upon Growth
Response Produced by Aureomycin in Chicks." Reprint from Proceedings of Society for
Exp. Biol and Med 76: 73-76.
ABSTRACTS
The control and treatment of certain forms of mastitis. EDWARDS, S. J. (1954),
Vet. Rec., 66. 37-40
W HILE reviewing the incidence of mastitis in various herds in different parts of
England the author attributes the reduction in general incidence of infection
to better conditions of dairy hygiene and the use of therapeutics. The success
achieved in the control of infection was found to be intimately connected with
the milking technique employed in a herd, the less the manipulation of teats
during milking the better the success in the control. According to Edwards about
90 per cent of cows infected with Str. agalactiae respond well to the treatment of two
doses of 100,000 units of penicillin injected at an interval of 48 to 96 hours. The
cows which retain infection even after this treatment may be living under defective
hygienic conditions and usually have teat sores. He suggests the following measures
for controlling Strept. agalactiae infection :
1. Conduct the bacteriological examination of composite milk samples of each
cow.
2. Treat the infected cows and dry cows with two injections of 100,000 units
penicillin in each quarter at three-day interval. Milkers should apply some anti-
septic cream on their hands before milking, for a week.
3. Stop hand stripping and use separate sterile cloth for washing the udder of
each cow with a suitable disinfectant before milking.
4. Retest the herd and retreat all infected cows.
5. A further test after three months should be done and if infection disappears,
washing with disinfectants should be discontinued.
6. Thereafter, repeat the test at six months interval. Obstinate cases showing
sore teats should be dressed and re-treated. Those found infected still, should be
separated.
Edwards recommends the use of 100,000 units of penicillin injected four
times at 48 hours intervals, for the treatment of staphylococcal infection and feels
that maintaining cows free from infection was a difficult proposition and could be
achieved by adopting a policy of elimination on the lines practised for Str. agalac
tiae. [M.S.S.]
139
12AR/56
2
140
ABSTRACTS
[ Vol. XXVI, Part III,
A pathogenic pleuropneumonia-like organism from goats. D. R. CORDY,
H. E. ADLER AND R. YAMAMOTO (1955). Corn. Vet. XLV. 50-68
A N outbreak in a herd of French Alpine goats caused by a pleuropneumonia-
like organism (PPLO) and characterised mainly by fever (103°-106°F) and
arthritis is described. Course of the disease varied from 24 hours to 5 weeks, acute
type being met with mostly in kids.
While experimental transmission of infection to healthy kids, sheep, lambs and
pigs was possible, the disease could not be produced in guinea-pigs, mice and calves.
In experimental cases the period of inoculation varied from within 24 hours by I/V
and I/P routes of infection to 108 hours by conjuctival instillation ; and the course
lasted for 2 to 11.5 days.
Apart from the most characteristic fibrinopurulent arthritis with variably
enlarged articulations (mainly affecting the carpal joints), hyperaemia and degen-
erative changes, leading to necrotic foci in protected cases, in lymph glands, liver,
spleen and kidneys, accompanied by neutrophilic infiltration in these situations and
enlargement in the case of lymph glands and spleen, were conspicuous pathological
features. None of the affected animals, except for two experimental lambs, showed
pneumonia ; the histopathological evidence of hyperaemia and alveolar oedema
found in the lungs of some cases could probably be ascribed to a failing heart.
Udders of the three lactating females, although reddened, did not present any clini-
cal manifestations of mastitis or alteration in the appearance of their secretion;
microscopic change, however, consisted of hyperaemia and some oedema accom-
panied, in two cases, by neutrophilic invasion.
PPLO could be recovered in cultures on serum agar from affected joints and
spleen. Culturally, the organism almost resembled the contagious caprine pleuro-
pneumonia organism. Antigen prepared from the PPLO isolated was aggulu-
tinated by homologous serum (1 : 640) and by goat pleuropneumonia serum (1 :10)
but not by agalactia serum. Coliform contiaminants were encountered in the lungs
and livers of long standing cases of the disease.
Inoculation of 0.2 ml. of a 5th culture passage of this PPLO in six day old
embryonating eggs via the chorio-allantoic or yolk sac killed the embryos in three
days.
None of the antibiotics tried (penicillin, streptomycin, terramycin and aureo-
mycin) gave promise of being a useful remedy.
The authors consider this outbreak to be different from pleuropneumonia or
agalactia on grounds of clinical and serological observations as also due to lack of
host specificity.
[G. S.]
September, 1956 ]
ABSTRACTS
141
The effects of age upon calcium utilisation and maintenance requirements
in the bovine. HANSARD, S. L., COMAR, C. L. and PLUMLEE, M.P. (1954). J. Anim
Sci. 13, 25-36
I N the present study, the authors have made use of concepts and experimental
methods developed by them recently through the application of the radioac-
tive tracer technique. These methods enable separate computation of the different
components that constitute faecal calcium output, viz. unabsorbed portion from the
feed, the fraction which has been absorbed but re-excreted, and the quantity lost
from the body stores. The conventional balance experiments are utterly inade-
quate in this respect.
The investigation involved concurrent chemical and radioisotope balance
experiments conducted on 34 cattle belonging to seven different age groups (10
days to 190 months), after the administration of a single dose of radiocalcium. In
these experiments, positive calcium balance was maintained in the young animals,
but the mature (36-73 months) animals were in slightly negative balance. It was
significant that in the case of old cattle (144-190 months) the calcium excretion
greatly exceeded the intake, even when the feed was fortified with calcium phosphate.
The computed values for endogenous calcium excretion per kg. body weight
remained practically constant from one month of age to maturity (1.44-18.0 mg.).
However, the level was lower in 10 days old animals and higher in aged cattle.
The true digestibility figures were: 98 per cent at 10 and 30 days, 34 per cent in
adults and 22 per cent in aged cows. The maintenance requirements per 100 lb.
body weight were estimated at 0.55 gm. at 10 days about 2.0 gm. from 6 months
to maturity and 4.5 gm. for aged cattle.
The paper includes a valuable discussion on faecal calcium partition and its
significance. [R.M.]
The effect of environmental temperature and humidity on the respiration rate
and the frequency of the heart beat of Ayrshire calves: W. R. BEAKLEY and J. D.
FINDLAY (1955). J. Agric. Sci. 45, 452-468
THE authors recorded the respiratory and heart rates of three four-month-old
Ayrshire bull calves in individual six-hour daily exposures to 15, 20, 25, 30, 35
and 40°C. dry bulb temperatures at 17 mg./1 absolute humidity and at 7 mg./1
saturation deficit at temperature 30, 35 and 40°C. The schedule of experiments on
each animal lasted 45 days consisting of five replications of these 9 environmental
conditions. The experiment was conducted in a temperature controlled labora-
tory, the respiration rates and heart rates of three experimental and three control
animals were measured in a holding room before the experimental animals of each
pair were transferred to the hot room.
142
ABSTRACTS
[ Vol. XXVI, Part III,
The results showed that the frequency of respiration and heart rate of all
experimental animals increased with increasing environmental temperature above
20°C and with increasing humidity above 30°C.
Respiration rate rose to a maximum value which occurred in the second and
third hour of exposure. The magnitude of this maximum value varied linearly
with environmental temperature by 4.9 respiration/min/°C. The variations of the
respiration rate at the last hour of exposure with environmental temperature was
non-linear whereas after the second hour of exposure to environmental temperature
above 25°C, the heart rates of the experimental animals declined with the increasing-
time of exposure to a given environmental temperature.
The general behaviour of respiration rate at high humidity at 30 and 35°C
was similar to that at low humidity.
The effect of change in humidity at 30°C on the heart rate was not significant
but at 35°C and high humidity, the heart rates of all animals increased with increas-
ing time of exposure.
High humidity at 40°C increased panting considerably and caused profuse
salivation, the heart rate also increased rapidly to a very high level.
The authors concluded that though various workers have attempted to fit
empirical equations to describe the effect of environmental temperature on respira-
tion rate but this relation might be unreliable and of little value if it was used as
an index to measure the animal's aptitude to withstand the thermal stress. The vari-
able nature of heart rate with change of temperature and humidity and with
other factors, namely feeds and presence of observer make it unreliable index of
heart tolerance in young bovine.
[ D. N. M. ]
The incidence and pathological significance of nematodes in the central
nervous system ; J.F.A. SPRENT (1955). Parasitology, 45. No. 1&2. pp. 21-40
T HE paper reviews the available literature on the incidence and pathological
significance of nematodes in the central nervous system. It has been observed
that a large number of nematodes invade the central nervous system and cause
a variety of nervous symptoms. Living specimens of different nematodes have been
recovered from the meningeal spaces and tissues of the brain and spinal cord by
various workers. These nematodes belong to the orders of:
Ascaridoidea, Filariodea, Trichuroidea, Strongyloidea, Metastrongyloidea,
Rhabditoides, and Dioctophymatidae.
The pathological effect caused by these nematodes vary to a great extent depen-
ding upon the size, mobility and the activity of the parasite. The pathological
changes observed are haemorrhagic, degenerative or preliferative. These are all
the direct effects of nematodes on the central nervous system and are mainly due
to the traumatic effect of the parasite on the central nervous system depending
upon its size.
144
ABSTRACTS
[ Vol. XXVI, Part III,
Under both schedules of treatment 0.0645 per cent concentration of SQX was
more effective than 0.043 per cent. 2-3-2-3-2 schedule could not completely control
infection, the lowest mortality rate being 70 and 45 per cent with SQX (0.043 per
cent and 0.0645 per cent concentrations respectively) and 20 per cent with SMT
treatment when medication was started 48 hours after infection. On the other
hand, 3-2-3 schedule completely controlled infection with both the drugs when
medication was started 48 and 24 hours after infection with SMT and SQX (0.0645
per cent) respectively. 0.043 per cent concentration of SQX was less efficacious as
at best it could reduce mortality to 40 per cent with a treatment started 48 hours
after the infection.
The authors conclude that any form of interrupted therapy, including with-
drawal of drug for a period exceeding two days, is likely to be less successful, and
3-2-3 schedule of interrupted therapy assures better control of the disease than the
2-3-2-3-2 schedule. [B. S. G.]
Antibiotics and surface active agents in chick nutrition : B. E. MARCH, M.
BURDELL and JACOB BIELY (1954). Poult. Sci. 33, 300
T HE experiments conducted by the authors to investigate the effect of two
surface active agents Tween-80 (Polyoxyethlene) sorbitan monooleate and Santo-
merse-80 (an alkylarly sulfonate) on the growth of chicks, indicated considerable
differences in the growth stimulating properties of these agents. The surface active
agents and/or antibiotics were incorporated in diets of different composition to
examine the response of chicks to these substances.
The inclusion of Tween-80 to a chick starting ration improved the growth response
and feed efficiency. In a second experiment, the addition of antibiotics as well as
Santomerse-80 increased the growth rate of chicks fed folic acid deficient diet, but
the addition of Tween-80 did not.
The combination of Santomerse-80 and penicillin produced a slightly faster rate
of growth than that of penicillin alone, whereas no additional response was recorded
beyond that observed with antibiotics, when Tween-80 was fed in conjunction with
the antibiotics.
The addition of herring oil to a chick starting ration supplemented with Santo-
merse-80, alone or in combination with penicillin, depressed the growth stimulating
effect of the surface active agent, that was observed when it was supplemented to
the above ration with no added oil, whereas penicillin alone increased the growth
of chicks irrespective of the oil content of the ration fed.
The inclusion of Santomerse-80 and/or aureomycin to three different diets, had
an insignificant effect on growth rate and feed utilization in either the basal rations
or the rations supplemented with oil.
The differences in the growth stimulating properties of these surface active
agents are difficult to explain. However, it is evident that the differences in the
composition of the ration may to some extent account for the variations in the
September, 1956 ]
ABSTRACTS
145
response of these surface active agents, which was apparent only when the chicks
were four weeks old. The response to a surface active agent was in no instance
better than the one obtained by supplementing an antibiotics to a similar diet.
[V. N. M.]
Uber den oestrogengehalt verschiedener Futter gräser (Oestrogen content of
different fodder grasses) : G. SCHOOP, H. KLETTE and G. RENNER (1955). Dtsch.
tierärztl. Wschr. Beilage : Fortpflanzung, Zuchthygiene und Haustierbesamung
5 (9), 103-107
F OURTEEN kinds of meadow grasses were examined for oestrogen content. They
were, (i) Festuca pratensis, (2) Poa pratensis, (3) Avena flavenscens, (4) Alope-
curus pratensis, (5) Poa fertiles (Serotina), (6) Agrostis alba, (7) Avena elatior, (8)
Phleum pratense, (9) Dactylis glomerata, (10) Lolium perenne, (11) a German pasture
grass (variety : odenwälder), (12) a German pasture grass (variety : N. F. G.), (13)
Festuca rubra, (14) Lolium italicum (multiforum). The respective amounts of
oestrogenic substances in terms of mouse units per kilogram found in these 14 grasses
were approximately, 1200, 500, 3400, 50, 800, 1250, 6000, 700, 1000, 700, 7000,
5600, 13000 and 12300. With the exception of two grasses, all were cut 1-3 weeks
before flowering.
Plant oestrogens were found to be more efficacious when administered orally
than when injected, showing that probably they were different from oestrogens of
mammalian origin. The authors suggest that plant oestrogens play an important
part in the metabolism of animals. If for example, a maximum limit of oestrogens
in food is passed, sexual troubles may follow. Similar disturbance in sexual cycle
may attend the presence of too small quantities of these in food. [S. S. P.]