The effect of lithium carbonate administration on growth in the domestic fowl

Lithium carbonate is routinely used for the treatment of aggressive behavior disorders in adolescents. The current study was undertaken in order to determine the effect of lithium carbonate administration on growth in a domestic fowl model. The results showed that lithium treatment at a therapeutic level (0.2-2.0 mEq/L) did not significantly alter plasma pH levels, food intake, fecal output or body weight gain. Bivariate and multivariate analysis of tibial dimensions revealed that lithium treatment primarily caused increased growth of proximal epiphyseal height. Allometric analyses indicated that lithium administration increased the growth differential between proximal and distal epiphyses. Two possible mechanisms by which lithium carbonate administration may cause accelerated osseous growth are given.