Iron, transferrin, and acid and alkaline phosphatase in healthy turkeys and in turkeys inoculated with the lymphoproliferative disease virus.

Presented are data on iron-binding capacity determinations in the serum of turkeys infected with lymphoproliferative disease (LPD) virus and in healthy males and females (laying eggs and nonlaying) from a breeding flock. Also presented are results of serum and tissue total acid and alkaline phosphatase determinations in turkey poults infected with LPD virus and their uninfected controls and of serum enzyme levels in healthy males and females from the breeding flock. There was no significant alteration in total iron binding capacity (transferrin level) in the serum of turkeys with LPD. Turkey poults inoculated with LPD virus showed a significant decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase activity 4 and 7 weeks postinfection (pi), and a decrease in serum acid phosphatase activity 7 weeks pi. Acid and alkaline phosphatase activity determined in the spleen and pancreas (organs with pronounced tumor involvement) 7 weeks pi did not differ significantly from that of healthy controls, although there was a tendency for both enzymes to decline in the pancreas of the infected turkeys. Healthy laying female turkeys demonstrated marked elevation in serum transferrin level and in acid and alkaline phosphatase activity, as compared with males of the same age. Serum alkaline phosphatase of turkey poults was markedly higher than that of adult turkeys.