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Utilization of Alfalfa Carotene and Vitamin a by Growing Chicks^1,2,

Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas

A comparison was made of utilization of vitamin A activity of the ANRC vitamin A standard, USP reference solution and low and high quality alfalfa meals. Effect of furazolidone and ethoxyquin on utilization of vitamin A activity of alfalfa meal also was studied. Chicks were depleted of vitamin A reserves, fed 400 and 800 IU (4 experiments) or 1200 IU of vitamin A (one experiment)/pound of diet for 8 weeks.

Chicks given 800 units of vitamin A gained more and their blood and liver vitamin A content was larger than that of chicks given 400 units of vitamin A. Weight gain of males was superior to that of females.

Gains were similar when the ANRC vitamin A standard and USP reference solutions were used as sources of vitamin A. In one of the two experiments, liver and blood serum vitamin A content was higher when the ANRC standard was used.

In three of 4 experiments, gain of chicks fed high quality alfalfa meal at 400 and 800 units of vitamin A/pound of diet was not significantly different from that of chicks given a vitamin A standard. There were no differences when 1200 units of vitamin A/pound of diet were used. Serum vitamin A was significantly higher in only two experiments, and liver vitamin A in one, when chicks received a vitamin A standard. Vitamin A was utilized about as well from low quality as from high quality alfalfa meals.

Furazolidone did not affect utilization of provitamin A of alfalfa meal. Ethoxyquin at 0.02% of diet did not significantly affect gain, or serum and liver vitamin A levels; gains were improved when 0.10% of ethoxyquin was used.

² Supported in part by a research grant from American Dehydrators Association, Kansas City, Missouri.

³ Present address: Animal Science Department, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois.

Manuscript received 2 July 1962.