Effect of Choline and Other Supplements on Perosis

Abstract

The addition of choline to a deficient basal diet, containing added manganese, prevented perosis in turkeys. Arsenocholine was also anti-perotic, but betaine was completely ineffective. A number of vitamins and minerals were tested and all were found ineffective. However, an adequate supply of the vitamin B complex in the diet was found to be necessary for the full anti-perotic effect of choline to be exerted. The anti-perotic effect of various feeding stuffs was studied. Soybean meal was fully effective at a level of 25%. Partial protection was obtained with either 17% of sardine meal, 5% of dried pork liver, or with 65% of barley. Some other feeds had a slight potency. The relation of the lecithin content to the anti-perotic activity of certain feeds is discussed. Experiments with a simplified diet indicated that choline is essential for growth as well as for the prevention of perosis. An addition of 0.1% of choline was sufficient for growth, but insufficient for the prevention of perosis. An addition of 0.2% of choline protected against perosis. Betaine was neither growth-promoting nor anti-perotic. Inositol was ineffective. The addition of a supplement to supply the “rice factor” did not promote growth in turkeys, which may indicate a difference between this species and the chick. An experiment with chicks indicated that choline is essential for the prevention of perosis in this species also. Biochemical possibilities arising from these observations are discussed briefly.