Distribution of myocardial glycogen in turkey poults during development of furazolidone-induced cardiomyopathy.

Furazolidone (FZ) at 700 ppm was added to feed mixtures fed turkey poults two weeks posthatching to induce experimental cardiomyopathy. Poults in the control pen received the same ration but without FZ. From ECG data obtained at weekly intervals, poults were selected for sacrifice at 3, 4, and 5 weeks of age. Myocardial samples from the right and left ventricular free walls were analyzed for glycogen by biochemical assay technics. Levels of glycogen were significantly (p less than .01) elevated in the FZ-treated poults at 3, 4, and 5 weeks of age. At all ages, the increase occurred in both the acid-soluble (TCA) and acid-insoluble (KOH) fractions with a proportionately greater increase in the TCA fraction. Results suggest that the effect of FZ on myocardial glycogen metabolism occurs very early and is more pronounced in the right ventricle than in the left ventricle even though both chambers may exhibit similar gross changes.