Comparative efficacy of different dithiocarbamates to induce tibial dyschondroplasia in poultry

PPPSRU, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Poultry Science Center, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA. nrath@uark.edu

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is a metabolic cartilage disease in poultry the natural etiology of which is not known. In the absence of biomarkers to monitor the initiation and progression of the naturally occurring disease, experimentally induced TD can provide a suitable venue to study the mechanism of its pathogenesis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to establish a streamlined experimental protocol to induce TD using dithiocarbamates and to determine a time course of its progression. Three different dithiocarbamates, dimethyldithiocarbamate, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, and tetramethyl thiuram disulfide (thiram), were tested with respect to their abilities to induce TD and affect different physiological factors. Our results show that chickens fed thiram during the first 2 wk of age showed a maximum TD index. Thiram appeared to be the most potent of the 3 dithiocarbamates with dimethyldithiocarbamate having the least ability to induce TD and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate showing an intermediate potency. A transient exposure to thiram for a day or 2 was sufficient to markedly increase the incidence of TD and produce lasting damage as determined by the presence of severe lesions in a high percentage of birds at 2 to 3 wk after the treatment. Thiram affected the chondrocyte morphology of maturing zone cartilage evident by nuclear shrinkage and emptied chondrocyte lacunae during later times and also involutions of capillary vessels. Such changes were not seen in prehypertrophic zone chondrocytes of the same growth plates. Thiram reduced the BW, increased blood heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratios, and elevated serum corticosterone concentrations indicating physiological stress. However, there was no change in relative liver weights or blood clinical chemistry including the serum concentrations of Ca, P, and Cu in thiocarbamate-fed chickens. Induction of TD in young chickens by means of a short feeding protocol with thiram may be useful to study the mechanisms of pathogenesis of TD and to identify micronutrients that can provide protection against this disease.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. C. Fanatico, P. B. Pillai, P. Y. Hester, C. Falcone, J. A. Mench, C. M. Owens, and J. L. Emmert Performance, Livability, and Carcass Yield of Slow- and Fast-Growing Chicken Genotypes Fed Low-Nutrient or Standard Diets and Raised Indoors or with Outdoor Access Poult. Sci., June 1, 2008; 87(6): 1012 - 1021. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Hasky-Negev, S. Simsa, A. Tong, O. Genina, and E. Monsonego Ornan Expression of matrix metalloproteinases during vascularization and ossification of normal and impaired avian growth plate J Anim Sci, June 1, 2008; 86(6): 1306 - 1315. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. C. Rath, W. E. Huff, and G. R. Huff Thiram-Induced Changes in the Expression of Genes Relating to Vascularization and Tibial Dyschondroplasia Poult. Sci., November 1, 2007; 86(11): 2390 - 2395. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Simsa, A. Hasdai, H. Dan, and E. M. Ornan Induction of Tibial Dyschondroplasia in Turkeys by Tetramethylthiuram Disulfide (Thiram) Poult. Sci., August 1, 2007; 86(8): 1766 - 1771. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Yalcin, H. B. Molayoglu, M. Baka, O. Genin, and M. Pines Effect of Temperature During the Incubation Period on Tibial Growth Plate Chondrocyte Differentiation and the Incidence of Tibial Dyschondroplasia Poult. Sci., August 1, 2007; 86(8): 1772 - 1783. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Simsa, A. Hasdai, H. Dan, and E. M. Ornan Differential regulation of MMPs and matrix assembly in chicken and turkey growth-plate chondrocytes Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, June 1, 2007; 292(6): R2216 - R2224. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]