Preventive Effect of dl-α-Tocopheryl Acetate against Nutritional Encephalomalacia of Chicks Induced by Dietary Dilauryl Succinate

Abstract

Preventive effect of dl-α-tocopheryl acetate against nutritional encephalomalacia induced by dilauryl succinate was compared by feeding experimental diets containing various levels of dilauryl succinate to 2-week-old chicks which were deprived of their body reserve of vitamin E in advance. Incidence of encephalomalacia increased in parallel with the increase in dietary dilauryl succinate and with the decrease in dietary dl-α-tocopheryl acetate. The linear relationship as described by the following equation
y=0.258x-11.8,
was observed between 50% effective dietary level of dl-α-tocopheryl acetate (ymg/kg) and dietary level of dilauryl Succinate (xg/kg).
Possible direct role of dl-α-tocopheryl acetate in metabolism of 12-carbon compounds was discussed.