The significance of phosphatase estimations in the adult fowl

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Abstract
Determinations of the plasma phosphatase of adult fowls gave apparently anomalous results. Exps. suggested that the plasma-phosphatase activity of strictly normal hens may be little affected by egg laying, but that marked changes may be expected under conditions not opt., as in vitamin D or Ca inadequacy; and that a given diet may be adequate for some birds but not for others. Thus, when 2 pullets are fed on the same diet, one may be in Ca equilibrium (i.e., Ca in food = Ca in excreta + eggs) and produce eggs with progressively decreasing content of Ca, while the other may be on a negative Ca balance (i.e., drawing on her body reserves of Ca for shell formation) with little difference in the amt. of Ca in her eggs.