Plasma corticosterone level in chickens after oral administration of furazolidone
Sidorov, I.; Luders, H.
Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 78(13): 375-378
1971
ISSN/ISBN: 0341-6593 PMID: 4932102 Document Number: 31389
The specific antimicrobial effect of furazolidone is well documented but no research has been carried out as to whether this is accompanied by a non-specific action on the pituitary-adrenocortical system. 223 eight-week-old Kath-line chicks were used and different levels of furazolidone were included in the diet. It was found that plasma corticosterone levels rose in proportion to the dosage of furazolidone in the food but only for the period of feeding. The influence on growth and food consumption when given in prophylactic or therapeutic dosages (0.01-0.04% of the food) can for practical purposes be ignored. In view of the results it is assumed that furazolidone has a non-specific stressor effect, but whether this is of any significance in the prophylaxis and treatment of disease can only be demonstrated by further research.