Studies on Utilization of Sulfate Sulfur for Growth of the Chicken. ∗ †

Abstract

Summary

1. Addition of 0.5% sodium sulfate to a diet low in sulfur stimulated growth of the young chicken. 2. When Na₂S³⁵O₄ was fed for a period of 1 week, approximately 23% of the S³⁵ ingested was incorporated into the tissues. Most of the S³⁵ was recovered as sulfate-S³⁵. However, about 19% was present as taurine-S³⁵, 6.6% as unknown organic compounds and barely detectable amounts as sulfur amino acids. Two weeks after Na₂S³⁵O₄ feeding a larger proportion of S³⁵ was present in the carcasses as taurine and unidentified organic compounds and 1.5% of the S³⁵ in the chickens was accounted for as cystine and methionine. It was concluded that there is a physiological requirement for sulfate per se and that dietary sulfate promotes growth primarily by providing sulfur for this purpose. 3. Taurine was found to be the major sulfur constituent of the water-soluble portion of feathers.