Outcome of an Experimental Study in Growing Turkeys Suspected of Having a Diet Related, Uncommon and Uncoordinated Gait

Abstract

Abstract:On the occasion of a clinical case on a turkey farm and based on the suspicion that the diet composition could be the cause, an eight-week diagnostic trial was performed with turkey poults (n = 54) divided into two groups (control and experimental). The levels of vitamin A in the starter and grower diets of the control group were 7168 and 5213 IU/kg diet, but <1000 IU/kg in the experimental ones. Vitamin A and uric acid contents were measured in the serum, while liver samples were taken to determine the vitamin A content. Parts of the central nervous system and some internal organs were examined histologically. In the sixth week, ruffled feathers and uncoordinated gait were the earliest signs seen in the experimental group. The vitamin A content in the liver samples significantly decreased in the experimental group (0.09 mg/kg vs. 29.5 mg/kg). The serum level of uric acid in the experimental group was significantly higher (12.8 mg/dL vs. 3.38 mg/dL). Birds in the experimental group showed squamous metaplasia in the oesophagus. No histopathological alterations were seen in the central nervous system. The elevated uric acid level in the serum is worth mentioning.

Evaluation of Methionine Sources in Protein Reduced Diets for Turkeys in the Late Finishing Period Regarding Performance, Footpad Health and Liver Health

“…When interpreting the studies of Chavez and Kratzer [13], it must be noted that the comparing 4 g DLM with 4.03 g MHA-FA, an equivalence of both substances was assumed regarding the biological activity, whereas the authors of other studies assumed a lower biological activity of MHA-FA [10]. The tendentiously lower FPD scores of the animals whose diets contained DLM compared to those with equivalent supplementation of MHA-FA (based on 65% biological activity) corresponds to the observations of Chavez and Kratzer [13] and Abd El Wahab et al [68].…”

The role of vitamin A in non-ruminant immunology

“…In addition to its role in cellular differentiation, vitamin A is also important for bone growth and development. Retinol deficiency in pigs and poultry has been shown to impair bone growth and increase the risk of bone malformations (Palludan, 1961;EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), 2013;Abd El-Wahab et al, 2017). This can be attributed, at least in part, to the role of vitamin A in promoting the production and activation of osteoblasts, which are the cells responsible for building new bone tissue (Chiba et al, 1996).…”

Nutritional Balance Matters: Assessing the Ramifications of Vitamin A Deficiency on Poultry Health and Productivity

“…Reduced ovarian stromal and white follicle weights along with oviduct weight and length; reduction in insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor transcripts in the ovarian stroma and the walls of yellow follicles, follicle stimulating hormone receptor expression in the walls of white and yellow follicles, and luteinizing hormone receptor and growth hormone receptor transcripts in the walls of yellow follicles; expression of apoptosis gene transcripts in the ovary; reduced egg weight [114] Cock Reduction in testicular size, loss of spermatids, and degeneration of the seminiferous epithelium [115] Laying hen Increase in the number of atretic follicles, including moderate to severe hemorrhages [116] Laying hen Reduction in egg number, egg mass, and albumen quality [134] Abnormalities in digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular and urinary system Turkey breeder Pustules in the mouth and esophagus, urates in the ureters and kidneys [110] Turkey Squamous metaplasia and hyperkeratinization of glandular epithelium in the esophagus, proventriculus, and nasal glands [11] Turkey Pustules in the mouth and pharynx, urates in the intestinal mesentery and pericardium [135] Turkey Squamous metaplasia in the oesophagus, hyperuricemia [136] Chicken Gross lesions characterized by the presence of white to yellowish caseous, coalescing nodules in the mucous glands and ducts of the pharynx and esophagus [137,138] Goose Reduced villus height and width, crypt depth, and muscular layer thickness in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum [131] Chick Metaplasia of the nasal respiratory epithelium to a stratified squamous form [119] Turkey Squamous metaplasia affecting the epithelia of the digestive, respiratory, and urinary tracts [35,106] Neurological maladies…”