A Growth Factor Transmitted by the Hen Through the Egg to Her Progeny

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Abstract
A group of hens in two separate pens were fed, alternately, low-protein and high-protein rations. High-protein rations were obtained by adding soybean meal and casein, respectively, to the basal diet. The eggs produced were incubated and the chicks (reared together) were fed a chick mash. Twenty-eight days after hatching their weight gains were recorded. It was found that hens fed a ration containing 20% casein transmitted a growth factor through their eggs to the chicks. With soybean proteins in the ration the same effect was not observed. The addition of dried cow manure or Wilson's liver fraction “L” to the chick mash inhibited the growth of chicks from hens fed the high-protein-casein diet. The addition of cow manure dried at 45°C. to the chick mash slightly accelerated the growth of chicks from hens fed a low-protein ration, but failed to affect the growth of chicks from hens fed a high-protein-soybean diet.
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