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Chemical and Histological Changes in the Femurs of Chicks Fed Lysine-Deficient Diets¹

Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP) Guatemala, Central America

The effect of lysine deficiency on the chemical and histological composition of the femurs of New Hampshire chicks, fed rations containing different levels of lysine, was studied. As the lysine level of the rations decreased there was a corresponding increase of fat in the femur and a decrease in its water content and in total body weight. Total protein content of the femur was reduced, but the percentage of ash and its calcium and phosphorus content did not change under the various treatments. Hemoglobin and hematocrit values were lower in those animals receiving low levels of lysine in the diet.

The histological studies showed that, as the lysine level of the rations decreased, there was a corresponding increase in the fatty tissue and a decrease in the myeloid tissue of the bone marrow. The thickness of the compact bone and that of the epiphyseal junction increased as the lysine level of the ration increased. The possible relationship of these findings to certain characteristics of severe protein malnutrition in children (kwashiorkor) was discussed.

Manuscript received 13 January 1961.