Effects of Nutrient Deficiencies upon Organ Weights of the Baby Pig

Abstract

Comparisons were made of actual and relative weights of several organs, glands and bones from 96 control or nutrient-deficient baby pigs. Organs, glands and bones studied included liver, kidneys, heart, spleen, adrenals, thyroid, femur, humerus and 8th rib. Baby pigs were reared on purified diets which were either nutritionally complete or mononutrient-deficient in iron, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, or magnesium. Each of the nutrient deficiencies produced significant depressions of bodyweight gain. Reduced actual weights of organs resulted from most of the nutrient deficiencies. Exceptions were the heart and spleen in iron deficiency and the adrenals in iron, calcium and vitamin D deficiency. Each of the nutrient deficiencies resulted in significantly increased relative weights of adrenals. There was generally an increase in relative weights of all the other organs and glands of deficient animals. Relative bone weights were significantly increased in phosphorus deficiency, but unchanged in deficiencies of calcium, vitamin D or magnesium.