Studies on the ameliorating effect of ascorbic acid on mineral toxicities in the chick.

The effect of dietary ascorbic acid on the toxicity of high levels of cobalt, selenium, vanadium, cadmium, copper, and mercury was determined in chicks. The vitamin reduced the growth retardation caused by cobalt, selenium, vanadium, and cadmium administration but had no such effect on copper and mercury toxicity at the levels used. The effect of ascorbic acid on growth could not be mimicked by ferrous iron administration. Ascorbic acid did not alleviate the increased susceptibility of chicks to Salmonella gallinarum caused by feeding high levels of these elements.