BIOTIN DEFICIENCY IN CHICKS FED A WHEAT-BASED DIET

Abstract

A wheat-based diet produced severe biotin deficiency symptoms appearing at the age of 10-14 days and becoming very severe in the 3rd and 4th wk (group 1). Biotin supplementation with 50 .mu.g/kg (group 2) reduced the symptoms almost completely, but did not restore growth completely compared to chicks receiving the diet supplemented with 300 .mu.g biotin/kg (group 3). The plasma level of biotin was about, or lower than, 100 ng/100 ml plasma in groups 1 and 2, indicating biotin deficiency. In group 3, plasma biotin was above 200 ng/100 ml. Liver biotin, after two weeks, was low in group 1 (< 600 ng/g), medium in group 2 (1000-1500 ng/g) and in group 3 above 2000 ng/g. Plasma and liver biotin levels were suitable parameters for diagnosis of subclinical biotin deficiency in chicks.