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Microscopic and Biochemical Observations of Aortae of Turkeys Fed Copper-deficient Diets with and without Ascorbic Acid^1,2,

The Departments of Veterinary Science, Food Science and Poultry Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32601

Turkeys were fed copper-deficient (basal) and copper-adequate diets, with and without ascorbic acid supplementation in an effort to produce vascular rupture. High mortality from angiorrhexis (19.5%) occurred only in poults fed a copper-deficient diet supplemented with ascorbic acid. Aortic tissue extracted with NaOH (elastin) from these poults was reduced in quantity, and contained an increased lysine content, when compared to elastin from poults fed the other diets. Electron microscopy showed that elastic fibers were severely altered in the aortae of turkeys fed the copper-deficient diet supplemented with ascorbic acid. The amount of protein extractable after autoclaving was increased by ascorbic acid supplementation to either the copper-deficient or copper-adequate diets. Furthermore, the relative content of arginine in autoclaved extracts from poults fed the copper-deficient diet was significantly reduced by ascorbic acid addition. The observations, however, may be related to proteins other than collagen in view of the fact that the amount of extractable hydroxyproline was not increased in copper deficiency. Generally there was a good correlation between the microscopic and biochemical results of examinations of aortae of poults in each treatment regimen.

² Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations Journal Series No. 3864.

Manuscript received 14 January 1971.