Connective Tissue Defect in the Chick Resulting from Copper Deficiency.

Abstract

Chicks reared for 4 weeks on a modified non-fat milk diet deficient in copper developed mild anemia, leg weakness, bone deformities and a high incidence of subcutaneous hemorrhage. Mortality amounted to 23% and most deaths resulted from internal hemorrhage associated with rupture of major vessels. Histologic studies suggest a derangement of connective tissue metabolism with the major defect in elastic tissue.