Rachitogenicity of Green Oats

Abstract

IN 1944 it was reported¹ that young, green oats, grown in the South Island of New Zealand, appeared to be actively rachitogenic for sheep during their first winter. Further investigation², extending over several years and involving feeding trials with most of the commonly grown sheep fodder crops, as well as young mixed pasture and Italian ryegrass, confirmed the earlier results indicating that young green cereals (oats and barley) are strongly rachitogenic. The affected animals showed hypophosphatæmia positively correlated with the degree of rickets which developed, normal serum calcium values, varying degrees of lameness and severe retardation of growth. Chemical analysis of the green cereals invariably showed an adequate phosphorus content and a satisfactorily balanced calcium–phosphorus ratio. Vitamin D, given as cod liver oil twice weekly (45 ml. per sheep), or as a single massive dose of calciferol (25 mgm. in arachis oil), either orally or subcutaneously, was fully effective in preventing rickets and enabling a high winter growth-rate to be maintained. Calciferol in this dosage also brought about a speedy return to normal in affected sheep.