Influence of High Levels of Minerals on the Susceptibility of Chicks to Salmonella gallinarum

Abstract

Studies have been conducted on the effect of high dietary levels of several minerals on growth and susceptibility of chicks to Salmonella gallinarum infection using a soybean meal-corn type of basal diet. Zinc at 2,000 ppm decreased growth but had no effect on mortality from the infection. Copper at 500 ppm decreased growth but more was required to increase susceptibility. Cadmium at 40 ppm decreased growth but more was required to increase susceptibility. Selenium reduced growth at 10 ppm but susceptibility was increased at 20 ppm. Vanadium at 5 ppm decreased growth and susceptibility was increased at 25 ppm. Mercury at 400 ppm both decreased growth and increased susceptibility. Cobalt at 100 ppm decreased growth but susceptibility was decreased at 50 ppm. Partial reversal of cobalt and vanadium-induced growth depression by iron and chromium, respectively, was not associated with a change in susceptibility, but partial reversal of cadmium-induced growth depression was associated with a decrease in susceptibility. These results suggest that there is no constant relationship between growth depression and increase in susceptibility to S. gallinarum as manifestations of mineral toxicity.