Dietary factors affecting experimental models of nutritional encephalomalacia

Various factors affecting the experimental development of nutritional encephalomalacia (NE) were studied in young chicks. The effects of these factors were evaluated by calculation of the age at which one-half were affected (T1/2). The incidence of ataxia and mortality and statistical analysis of the intensity of the disease were also calculated. No differences were found among the safflower oil samples oxidized for periods ranging from 12 to 48 hr in their potency to induce NE, while oil oxidized for 72 hr was less effective. No difference was observed between the effects of oxidized safflower oil and freshly distilled methyl esters of safflower oil on the development of NE. This disorder was more severe in chicks fed a fat-free diet deficient in vitamin E for the first week and then the NE-inducing diet than in chicks fed the NE-inducing diet from hatching. Feeding chicks vitamin E for the first week delayed the development of encephalomalacia but did not prevent it. In order to prevent NE in young chicks fed oxidized safflower oil, a ratio of .3 mg alpha-tocopherol per gram oil was required.