Tissue depletion of biotin in chickens and the development of deficiency lesions and the fatty liver and kidney syndrome

Within two weeks of hatching liver reserves of biotin were depleted so that chickens were likely to develop fatty liver and kidney syndrome. However, liver biotin concentrations had to remain low for 3 to 4 weeks before overt deficiency lesions and growth depression were observed. Liver and kidney biotin concentrations were a more sensitive index of biotin intake than circulating concentrations of the vitamin, especially when intake was low.