The Maternal Diet as a Source of Growth Factors Transmitted by the Hen Through the Egg to the Progeny

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Abstract
A high-protein-casein maternal diet resulted in faster growth of progenies than a low-protein-corn diet. From experiments with vitamin B12 concentrate in the maternal or chick diet, or with dried cow manure-supplemented chick diets, evidence was obtained to suggest that part of the growth response is due to a transmitted growth factor which differs from vitamin B12 and which may be related to the dietary protein. Supplementation of the maternal diet with vitamin B12 concentrate for an extended period produced a greater response in the progenies than when the supplement was offered in the chicks' diet. Vitamin B12 or dried cow manure supplementation of the chick diet may each act in a growth-promoting or growth-inhibiting fashion on the chick, depending on the maternal diet and on the length of time the hen is on this dietary regimen.

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