Effects of high intensity step-up and low intensity step-down lighting programs on the incidence of leg abnormalities in turkeys

Two trials were conducted to determine if a high intensity (20 lx) step-up lighting program would decrease the incidence of leg abnormalities in turkeys. The step-up lighting regimen was compared to a low intensity (2.5 lx) step-down lighting program. Toms were used in Trial 1 and both sexes were employed in Trial 2. Body weight, feed/gain ratio, and mortality of toms of Trial 1 did not differ significantly between lighting regimens. The incidence of leg deformities and the length of the tarsometatarsal bone were significantly decreased, whereas plasma androgen and testes weights were increased for toms of Trial 1 in the high intensity step-up lighting. The same trends were apparent for toms of Trial 2 with the exceptions that feed/gain ratios were adversely affected and testes weights were significantly lower for toms of the high intensity step-up lighting program. The performance of hens in the high intensity step-up lighting program of Trial 2 was affected adversely; however, incidence of leg abnormalities and length and width of the tarsometatarsus responded in the same manner as with toms. The results of this study indicate that a high intensity step-up lighting program can significantly reduce leg weakness problems in turkeys. Possible explanations for light stimulation reducing the incidence of leg abnormalities are through increased exercise and shortening of long bones.

Partial alleviation of phenylalanine toxicity in the chick by supplemental dietary tryptophan

Studies were conducted to determine the physiological effects of feeding diets containing high levels of phenylalanine to chicks. Marked reductions in weight gain and feed conversion were observed in birds fed a diet containing 2.52% L-phenylalanine and .47% L-tyrosine. Excess dietary phenylalanine caused elevations of phenylalanine and tyrosine in serum and brain, whereas cerebral concentrations of free isoleucine, leucine, and valine were generally decreased. Supraoptimal amounts of glycine, arginine, and tryptophan were fed in an attempt to alleviate the toxic symptoms observed in birds fed high phenylalanine diets. Only tryptophan supplementation proved successful in partially alleviating the growth-depressive effects of phenylalanine toxicity. Both serum and brain levels of tryptophan were increased by tryptophan supplementation. Results of two radiotracer studies with 14C-tryptophan suggested that brain uptake of tryptophan was inhibited by hyperphenylalaninemia.

Influence of phenylalanine and lysine deficiencies on thyroid morphology in the chick

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary phenylalanine and lysine deficiencies on thyroid morphology in chicks fed crystalline amino acid diets. Both mean follicle diameter and epithelial cell height were significantly reduced in birds fed either of the deficient diets as compared with controls. These results agree with previous studies on serum T4 and T3 concentrations where the effects of an amino acid deficiency were general and not limited to precursors of thyroxine.

Effects of dietary phenylalanine and tyrosine on circulating thyroid hormone levels and growth in the chick

Studies were conducted to investigate the effects of a phenylalanine-tyrosine deficiency on serum thyroid hormone concentrations and growth in chicks from 0 to 14 days of age. Birds fed diets severely deficient in aromatic amino acids (AAA), lysine or valine were found in most trials to have reduced serum concentrations of either 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) or 3,5,3',5'-tetraiodothyronine (T4). Approximately one-half of the samples assayed did not show detectable levels of 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (reverse T3). The reduction in serum thyroid hormone levels was not observed until chick growth was markedly affected and was not specific for AAA deficiency. Phenylalanine alone could not efficiently supply tyrosine when dietary AAA were suboptimal as evidenced by significantly greater weight gains in chicks fed 50:50 or 55:45 (mole:mole) mixtures of phenylalanine and tyrosine as compared with birds fed the same total amount (moles) of AAA supplied solely by phenylalanine. However, at or above requirement levels, phenylalanine could completely meet the chick's demand for tyrosine. Serum tyrosine concentrations generally reflected the dietary levels of AAA.

Investigations of leg abnormalities in chicks consuming high tannin sorghum grain diets

Studies were conducted into the etiology of leg abnormalities noted in chicks fed high tannin sorghum grain diets. These anomalies were characterized by a bowing of the legs with a swelling of the hock joints. The incidence of these leg problems was found to be markedly higher when the amino acids in the diet provided by soybean meal were replaced by crystalline amino acids. Supplemental vitamins and minerals had no alleviating effect on the leg problem. Bone mineralization was apparently not influenced by tannins as demonstrated by similar bone ash values for chicks fed high or low tannin sorghums. A possible alteration caused by tannin in the organic matrix of bone is discussed. High tannin sorghum depressed chick growth and feed conversion when compared with low tannin sorghum in both sorghum-soybean meal and sorghum-amino acid rations. This growth depression was overcome by supplementing the high tannin sorghum-soybean meal diet with .15% DL-methionine, but no growth response was observed from a similar supplementation of a high tannin sorghum-amino acid diet.