Effects of Pyridoxine Deficiency on the Lymphatic Organs and Certain Blood Components of the Neonatal Chicken

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The effects of pyridoxide deficiency on the lymphatic organs and selected blood components were studied in the neonatal chicken. One hundred and fifty newly hatched broiler-type chicks were alloted to 3 treatments in three replicate experiments of 2-week duration. Treatments were 1) purified vitamin B6-deficient diet, 2) purified vitamin B6-adequate diet, and 3) practical vitamin B6-adequate diet, ad libitum. Typical clinical signs of vitamin B6 deficiency were observed with the first treatment. There was a significant atrophy of the spleen, thymus and bursa in the deficient chicks as well as a microcytic polychromatic hypochromic anemia. Total serum protein concentration was signifiantly lower than normal, as was the serum albumin which declined to one-third to one-fifth of the control values. The deficiency caused a significant increase in a β2-macroglobulin and β1-lipoprotein. Immune γ2-globulin (IgG) was not affected. The data indicate that vitamin B6 deficiency in the young chick depresses erythrocytopoiesis and hemoglobin synthesis, disturbs metabolic functions of the liver cell and hinders development of the lymphatic organs.