Scoliosis in chickens.

Scoliosis developed in 55 per cent of sexually mature birds (68 per cent of male and 46 per cent of female birds) in a highly inbred line of chickens originally produced from white Leghorns. The curve could first be detected at five to six weeks of age and progressed until spontaneous fusion of the thoracic vertebrae occurred. Studies of these chickens indicated that abnormalities of growth and development of the spine are not the primary cause of the scoliosis. Preliminary studies of the paravertebral musculature also indicated that simple muscle imbalance is not responsible for the curve. Initial studies of collagen extracted from the scoliotic line of chickens showed it to be more soluble than similar collagen extracted from white Leghorn controls.