Effect of early underfeeding on the weight of the White Carneau pigeon: With some remarks on the possible inhibition of early atherosclerosis

Abstract

The growth of the White Carneau pigeon has been studied and a method of significantly underfeeding the squabs during the preweaning period has been developed. The growth of 160 squabs was analyzed at weekly intervals till 6 weeks, then at 8 weeks, and at 6 months. The animals grew remarkably from an average of 22.2 g at hatch to 187.9 at 1 week, 389.3 at 2 weeks, 494.8 at 3 weeks, and 519.4 at 4 weeks. Growth was slow thereafter, reaching 568.6 g at 6 months when the animals are considered to be adult. Underfeeding was accomplished by feeding the mother and father one-third their normal diet during the preweaning 4-week period. The weight reduction was considerable, the squab weighing 21.9 g at hatch, 135.4 at 1 week, 212.8 at 2 weeks, 271.9 at 3 weeks, and 388.7 at 4 weeks. Nonetheless, there was rapid catch-up growth, the animals at 6 months weighing 557.7 g. Forty-two squabs (27 normally fed and 15 underfed) had to be sacrificed for various reasons, such as defective limbs. Pathological analysis of the aorta at the bifurcation of the thoracic aorta at the coeliac axis indicated that the early atherosclerotic lesion had a delayed onset in the underfed animals. In the 27 normally fed animals, Grade 1 lesions were present at 7 weeks, and by 12 weeks, the lesion was usually Grade II. At 24 weeks, the atherosclerotic lesion was often Grade III. In the 15 underfed squabs, no Grade I lesion was seen till 14 weeks and there was one Grade II lesion at 30 weeks.