Effect of furazolidone on plasma enzyme and protein levels in turkey poults.

Furazolidone (FZ) at a dose of 700 ppm was fed to turkey poults beginning at 2 weeks of age. In trial 1, plasma collected by venipuncture was assayed for glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and total protein at 19, 23, 26, and 30 days of age. Significant (P less than or equal to .05) differences were noted only in levels of plasma LDH, which were elevated in FZ-fed poults at all stages studied. In Trial 2, plasma collected by venipuncture was assayed for creatine phosphokinase (CPK), GOT, glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and LDH daily from 15 through 19 days of age and for protein at 19 days of age. Significant elevations (P less than or equal to .05) were noted in levels of plasma a) CPK at 15 days, b) GOT at 18 days, and c) LDH at 17 and 19 days. A significant (P less than or equal to .01) depression in plasma protein was observed at 19 days. Plasma GPT was either absent or present in very low concentrations. These data suggest that FZ exerts its primary effect on the myocardium. THe initial myocardial changes occur prior to their detection by known electrocardiographic (ECG) technics.