Effect of Lysine-Deficiency on Hematopoiesis in the Chick, Including Observations on Folic Acid Deficiency

KLAIN et al. (1956) reported a severe achromatosis of the feathers of Barred Plymouth Rock cockerels fed lysine-deficient diets. Achromatosis of feathers has also been found to result from the consumption of folic-acid deficient diets (Briggs and Lillie, 1946; Frost et al., 1946). In addition, a similar symptom was observed by McConachie et al. (1935) in Barred Plymouth Rock chicks which had received diets containing both high and low levels of protein. An examination of the composition of the diets used by McConachie et al. in the light of present knowledge suggests that their low protein diet was deficient in lysine relative to other essential amino acids, and their high protein diet, although adequate in lysine, was deficient in folic acid. Photographs of affected birds, recorded in the paper of McConachie et al. show an abnormal feather pigmentation, similar, if not identical in appearance, to that observed by Klain et al.