Early protein undernutrition and subsequent realimentation in turkeys. 2. Effect on weights and proportions of organs and tissues.

Male and female Large White Nicholas turkeys were fed corn and soybean meal diets for 24 and 20 wk, respectively. The same series was fed with a low protein modification (75% of control in protein and 66% of control in methionine and lysine per Mcal ME) during 0 to 6 wk of age. For the study of organ and tissue growth, six male turkeys per treatment were sampled at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 wk of age. Six females per treatment were also sampled at 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 14, 17, and 20 wk of age. Weights of eviscerated carcass, breast, thigh, drumstick, wing, back, neck, feathers, liver, heart, pancreas, alimentary tract less gizzard, and gizzard were depressed by early protein undernutrition to 6 wk of age. Compared with values for controls, undernutrition increased proportions of the liver, alimentary tract less gizzard, gizzard, and heart at 6 wk of age; proportions of the back, neck, feathers, and pancreas were not affected, but breast and thigh proportions were reduced. Compensatory growth during realimentation eliminated all differences between undernourished and control turkeys in weight and proportions of organs and tissues by 20 wk of age.