The effect of cobalt compounds on uninfected andAscaridia galli-infected chickens: a kinetic model forAscaridia gallipopulations and chicken growth

Abstract

AbstractThe effect of dietary cobalt from three different sources on uninfected andAscaridia galli-infected Hisex chickens, has been studied. The chicken diet was supplemented with 0.06 Co2+kg-1food either in the form of two glycine–cobalt compounds or mixed zinc–cobalt basic salt. An excess of dietary cobalt in small doses increases the gain of body weight and decreases host mortality. A greater bioefficiency of cobalt was established in infected chickens. A mathematical model has been used to provide a quantitative interpretation of the observed results. The model solutions of the kinetics of worm numbers and body weight are in a good agreement with experimental data. The model is valid for different degrees ofA. galliinfections and for treatment with different trace elements. The value of the kinetic parameter, regarded as a phenomenological constant of the host immune response, depends on the degree of infection.