Effects of Vitamin B12 and Penicillin on Thiouracil Action in Chicks

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Abstract
White Leghorn male and Rhode Island Red chicks of both sexes were fed a vit. B12-deficient ration which was supplemented with 0.1% thiouracil and/or 0.5 to 4.0 [mu]g.% vit. B12 or 2 mg. procaine penicillin G per lb. of food. After a preliminary depletion period of 1 and 2 wks., respectively, on the vit. B12-deficient diet, the chicks were fed the above supplements for an additional 4 or 3 week period. Thiouracil markedly reduced body wt. gains and food intake in both breeds of chicks, and increased the grams of food required for each g. of gain in body wt. Vit. B12 and penicillin partially or completely counteracted this growth depression and increased appetite. The larger doses of vit. B12 were more effective in these respects than the smaller doses. The large increase in thyroid wt. and severe inhibition of comb growth induced by thiouracil were not influenced by the vitamin or antibiotic. In general, these results corroborate previous data on the effects of vit. B12 and antibiotics on rats fed thiouracil or following parathyroidectomy.