Pancreatic Hypertrophy in Laying Pullets Induced by Unheated Soybean Meal

UNHEATED soybean meal depresses rate of gain and induces a hypertrophy of the pancreas in chicks, Saxena et al. (1961). Saxena et al. (1963) confirmed the finding of Fisher et al. (1957) that unheated soybean meal, adequately supplemented with methionine and vitamin B12, does not depress rate of lay when fed as the primary source of protein in semi-purified diets. Furthermore, Saxena et al. (1963) reported no effect of unheated meal on body or pancreas weight of laying pullets. In contrast, the data presented herein indicate that unheated meal, when fed as the sole source of protein and amino acids, does depress egg production and body weight as well as induce pancreatic hypertrophy and increase the moisture content of pancreatic tissue. The basal diet (Table 1) contained 20 mg./kg. of supplemental vitamin B12 but no supplemental methionine. Each of the diets indicated in Table 2 was fed…