Potentiation of Diethylstilbestrol Induced Aortic Ruptures of Turkeys with Thiouracil. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Thirty-seven percent of turkeys fed DES died from aortic ruptures, while 69% of poults fed DES and thiouracil died from the disease. Total plasma lipid and cholesterol values were elevated by both treatments, but more so by DES alone. Turkeys fed DES or DES-thiouracil were hypotensive, but systolic blood pressure was lowest in turkeys fed the 2 combined drugs. There was pronounced hypertrophy of the thyroid gland of turkeys fed DES-thiouracil or thiouracil, and mild hypertrophy of the gland of poults fed DES. Body weights were depressed and the diameter of the lumen and thickness of the wall of abdominal aortas appeared to be reduced by DES-thiouracil feeding, as compared to feeding of DES alone.

The technical assistance of J. W. Carlisle, C. J. Miller, and L. Mallard is acknowledged.