Effect of cysteamine administration on growth and efficiency of food utilisation in chicks

1. Cysteamine hydrochloride, which is a potent inhibitor of somatostatin secretion, was fed to male broiler chicks at dietary inclusion rates of 0, 25, 125, 250, 600, 1200, 1800 and 2400 mg/kg during three separate experiments. 2. Weight gain, food intake and efficiency of food utilisation were measured weekly over a two (experiment 1 and 2) or three-week period (experiment 3) during which chicks were 3 to 10 d old (week 1) to 17 to 24 d old (week 3). 3. Cysteamine hydrochloride included in the food at 1200 and 1800 mg/kg resulted in a significant increase in efficiency of food utilisation, attributable to a significant decrease in food intake. 4. There was no difference in weight gains between chicks in the control group and those receiving 1200 mg/kg. However a significant decrease in weight gain was observed in chicks receiving 1800 mg/kg.