Thiol Level in Liver and Kidneys of Chickens: Effect of Strain and Age,

Abstract MILLER et al. (1959a, b; 1967) have reported that one strain of inbred chicks (R) retained more mercury in liver and kidneys following injection of several mercurials than a second strain (S). These lines of chicks were selected by Bearse et al. (1963) for resistance (R) and susceptibility (S) to avian leukosis. Since mercury has been reported to attach to protein thiol groups in the animal body (Hughes, 1957; Shoemaker, 1957; Berlin and Gibson, 1963) an investigation was undertaken to determine stress factors that may increase or decrease the thiol level in R and S chickens. The normal thiol level in liver and kidneys of these chickens at various ages is reported here. METHODS AND MATERIALS Chicks hatched from the R and S strains were brooded on wire in a battery and given commercial feed and water ad libitum. At various ages the chicks were killed. The livers and kidneys . . .