The Role of Manganese and Certain Other Trace Elements in the Prevention of Perosis

Abstract

The presence in the diet of manganese and certain of the other ‘trace’ elements has been found essential for the prevention of the deformity of the tibiae and metatarsi of chicks, known as perosis. Indications were also obtained that these elements exercised a favorable influence on growth. The addition of 0.0025 to 0.015% of manganese to a diet containing 0.0010% of this element was sufficient to almost entirely prevent perosis. Zinc and aluminum possessed a similar property but were somewhat less effective. A mixture of manganese, aluminum and iron was entirely preventive in the presence of limited amounts of calcium and phosphorus. The perosis-preventing property of certain cereal products was related to their content of manganese.