Monocytosis in experimental zinc deficiency of domestic birds

Differential and total white cell counts on the peripheral blood of chickens, turkeys and quails maintained from hatching on an experimental zinc-deficient diet, revealed a severe monocytosis. In chickens the increase in monocytes was first detected on the 3rd day after hatching and was maintained until 18 days of age. The relationship of this monocytosis to the zinc-associated factors which affect mammalian leucocytes and to the damaged epithelium in zinc-deficient birds is discussed.