Effects of thiuram, disulfiram and a trace element mixture on the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia in chickens.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of dietary addition of 30 ppm of thiuram or disulfiram on the development of tibial dyschondroplasia (a large mass of cartilage in the proximal end of the tibia) in chicks in the presence and absence of trace element supplementation: B, Ni, Al, Sr, Br, V, Si, Sn, Cr, F, Mo, Li, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu and I. In two experiments, the incidence and severity of tibial dyschondroplasia were lower in chicks fed the diet containing the trace element supplement than in those fed the basal diet. Adding thiuram or disulfiram to the diet caused a significantly higher incidence and severity of tibial dyschondroplasia in chicks regardless of the presence or absence of the trace element supplement. In a third experiment not involving thiuram or disulfiram the addition of trace elements had no significant effect on tibial dyschondroplasia. Adding thiuram or disulfiram to the diet in a fourth experiment lowered the absorption of 47Ca from the gastrointestinal tract but did not influence the biological half-life of 47Ca in the chick.