The effect of excess dietary manganese on uninfected and Ascaridia galli infected chicks.

The effect of dietary manganese from two different sources on chicks (uninfected and infected with Ascaridia galli) was studied. Chick diet was supplemented with 0.9 g Mn2+ kg-1 food either in the form of MnSO4.H2O or 2Gly. MnCl2.2H2O for 20 days. Chicks were divided into six groups: group 0, control; group 1, control + MnSO4.H2O; group 2, control + 2Gly.MnCl2.2H2O; group 3, infected with A. galli; group 4, infected with A. galli + MnSO4.H2O; and group 5, infected with A. galli + 2Gly.MnCl2.2H2O. Body weight, mortality, worn burden, and liver manganese content were investigated. Excess dietary manganese increased weights and manganese level, but mortality and worm burden were unaffected. A greater bioavailability of manganese from 2Gly.MnCl2.2H2O was established.