Contact urticaria and protein contact dermatitis in the Finnish Register of Occupational Diseases in a period of 12 years.

BACKGROUND: Although occupational contact urticaria (CU) and protein contact dermatitis (PCD) are considered frequent among workers with exposure to proteinaceous materials, data on occupations at risk and the main causes of these occupational skin diseases are relatively limited. OBJECTIVES: To report the causative agents and risk occupations for CU and PCD in the Finnish Register of Occupational Diseases (FROD). METHODS: We retrieved from the FROD all recognized cases of CU/PCD in the years 2005-2016. RESULTS: With 570 cases, CU and PCD constituted 11% of all recognized cases of occupational skin diseases in the study period. Occupations with the highest incidence of CU/PCD included bakers, chefs and cooks, farmers and farm workers, veterinarians, gardeners, and hairdressers. The most common causative agents were cow dander and flour and grain, followed by natural rubber latex (NRL) and other food. In food-related occupations, wheat and other flours were by far the most common cause of CU/PCD, with 76 cases, whereas fish and other animal-derived food caused 33 and other plant-derived food caused 23 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Apart from the Finnish peculiarity of cow dander allergy, a striking finding was a large share of CU/PCD caused by flours in food handlers as compared to other food.

Cinnamic acid and fish flour affect wheat phenolic acids and flavonoid compounds, lipid peroxidation, proline levels under salt stress.

To elucidate the physiological mechanism of salt stress mitigated by cinnamic acid (CA) and fish flour (FF) pretreatment, wheat was pretreated with 20, 50 and 100 ppm CA and 1 g/10 mL FF for 2 d and was then cultivated. We investigated whether exogenous CA + FF could protect wheat from salt stress and examined whether the protective effect was associated with the regulation of seed vigor, antioxidant defense systems, phenolic biosynthesis and lipid peroxidation. At 2 days exogenous CA did not influence seed vigor. Salt stress increased the phenolic biosynthesis, but the CA + FF-combined pretreatment enhanced the phenolic biosynthesis even more under salt stress and decreased lipid peroxidation to some extent, enhancing the tolerance of wheat to salt stress.

Enzymatic hydrolysis of anchovy fine powder at high and ambient pressure, and characterization of the hydrolyzates.

BACKGROUND: At specific conditions of high pressure, the stability and activity of some enzymes are reportedly known to increase. The aim of this study was to apply pressure-tolerant proteases to hydrolyzing anchovy fine powder (AFP) and to determine product characteristics of the resultant hydrolyzates. RESULTS: Anchovy fine powder enzyme hydrolyzates (AFPEHs) were produced at 300 MPa and ambient pressure using combinations of Flavourzyme 500MG, Alcalase 2.4L, Marugoto E and Protamex. When the same protease combination was used for hydrolysis, the contents of total soluble solids, total water-soluble nitrogen and trichloroacetic acid-soluble nitrogen in the AFPEHs produced at 300 MPa were conspicuously higher than those in the AFPEHs produced at ambient pressure. This result and electrophoretic characteristics indicated that the high-pressure process of this study accelerates protein hydrolysis compared with the ambient-pressure counterpart. Most peptides in the hydrolyzates obtained at 300 MPa had molecular masses less than 5 kDa. Functionality, sensory characteristics and the content of total free amino acids of selected hydrolyzates were also determined. CONCLUSION: The high-pressure hydrolytic process utilizing pressure-tolerant proteases was found to be an efficient method for producing protein hydrolyzates with good product characteristics.

A randomised control trial in schoolchildren showed improvement in cognitive function after consuming a bread spread, containing fish flour from a marine source.

BACKGROUND: In humans, n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids play a well-documented role in brain development and function. Docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid are major structural components of the brain and a deficiency thereof may bring about changes in the behaviour domains of the brain. OBJECTIVE: This trial investigated the effect of an experimental fish-flour bread spread rich in n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, on cognition of children (7-9yr). DESIGN: Subjects (n=183) were randomly assigned to an experimental (n=91) and control group (n=92), receiving either the fish-flour spread or a placebo spread for 6 months in a single-blind study. Plasma and red blood cell phospholipid fatty acid composition and cognition were measured at baseline and post-intervention. RESULTS: After the intervention, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid levels were significantly higher in the experimental group compared to the control group (p< 0.0001). Significant intervention effects were also observed for the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test Recognition (estimated effect size: 0.80; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.15; 1.45) and Discrimination Index (estimated effect size: 1.10; 95% CI: 0.30; 1.91), as well as the Spelling test (estimated effect size: 2.81; 95% CI: 0.59; 5.02) by both per protocol and intention to treat analyses. A marginally significant (p=0.0646) effect was observed for the Reading test (estimated effect size: 2.21; 95% CI: -0.14; 4.56) only in the per protocol analysis. CONCLUSION: This study suggests improvement of verbal learning ability and memory of children when supplemented with a fish-flour spread rich in n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Tilapia-waste flour as a natural nutritional replacer for bread: A consumer perspective.

Six bread formulations with different levels of tilapia-waste flour (BTF0%, BTF2.5%, BTF5%, BTF10%, BTF15%, and BTF20%) were analyzed for nutritional composition and sensory characterization. Tilapia-waste flour (TF) increased (P < 0.05) the lipid, protein and ash contents, and decreased (P < 0.05) the levels of carbohydrates and total dietary fiber. BTF0%, BTF2.5% and BTF5% received the highest (P < 0.05) scores for acceptance and preference. Despite this apparent consumer preference for low or no levels, TF can be added to bread at levels below 12.17% (P < 0.05) without triggering consumer rejection. TF changed (P < 0.05) the sensory characterization of bread because of a disagreeable flavor, aroma, and texture; however, airy appearance, sticky in the teeth and cream color did not influence the overall liking. TF at 5% enhanced the nutritional value while maintaining acceptable sensory scores for bread, constituting a potential strategy to satisfy consumer and industry requirements.

Effect of replacing fish meal in fish diet with shrimp by-product meal on growth performance, feed utilization, length-weight relationship and condition factors of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) / Efecto de reemplazar la harina de pescado en la dieta de pescado por harina de subproducto de camarón sobre el rendimiento del crecimiento, la utilización del alimento, la relación longitud-peso y los factores de condición de la tilapia del Nilo, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758)

SUMMARY: The present work aimed to study the effect of replacing fish meal (FM) in the fish diet with shrimp by-product meal (SBM) on the growth performance parameters of the Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. A total of 200 specimens of monosex O. niloticus fries were obtained from a private fish farm at Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate. They were transported to the fish laboratory at the Animal House of Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University. After two weeks for acclimation, the fish were divided into 5 groups, 2 replicates for each group (20 fish in each replicate). The five experimental diets were: C: control group with20 % fish meal (FM) and 0 % shrimp by-product meal (SM); T1, T2, T3, and T4 FM was replaced with SBM as 25 %, 50 %, 75 % and 100 %, respectively. Results indicated that the highest final length, growth in length, length gain, daily length gain and other growth performance parameters including the relationship between length and weight and condition factors of O. niloticus were recorded in T4 group (fed diet in which fish meal was completely replaced with shrimp by-product meal); while, their lowest values were recorded in control group. On the other hand, feed utilization parameters (feed intake, food conversion ratio, the maximum values of feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio) were recorded in T4 group and the minimum values were recorded in T3 group (fed diet in which 75 % of fish meal was replaced with shrimp by-product meal).

RESUMEN: El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo estudiar el efecto de sustituir la harina de pescado (HP) en la dieta del pescado por harina de subproductos de camarón (HSC) sobre los parámetros de rendimiento de crecimiento de la Tilapia del Nilo, Oreochromis niloticus. Se obtuvieron un total de 200 especímenes de monosexo de O. niloticus de una piscifactoría privada en la gobernación de Kafr El-Sheikh. Fueron transportados al laboratorio de peces en el Departamento de Zoología de la Facultad de Ciencias, de la Universidad Al-Azhar. Después de dos semanas de aclimatación, los peces se dividieron en 5 grupos: Se realizaron dos repeticiones para cada grupo (20 peces en cada repetición). Las cinco dietas experimentales fueron: C: grupo control con 20 % de harina de pescado (HP) y 0 % de harina de subproductos de camarón (HSC); T1, T2, T3 y T4 FM se reemplazó con HSC con 25 %, 50 %, 75 % y 100 %, respectivamente. Los resultados indicaron que la longitud final más alta, el crecimiento en longitud, la ganancia de longitud, la ganancia de longitud diaria y otros parámetros de rendimiento del crecimiento, como además la relación entre la longitud y el peso, y los factores de condición de O. niloticus, se registraron en el grupo T4 (con una dieta reemplazada con harina de subproducto de camarón); mientras que, sus valores más bajos se registraron en el grupo control. Por otro lado, los parámetros de utilización del alimento (ingesta de alimento, índice de conversión de alimento, los valores máximos de índice de eficiencia alimenticia e índice de eficiencia proteica) se registraron en el grupo T4 y los valores mínimos se registraron en el grupo T3 (alimentación con dieta en la que el 75 % de la harina de pescado fue reemplazada por harina de subproductos de camarón).

Hypolipidemic, antiobesity and cardioprotective effects of sardinelle meat flour and its hydrolysates in high-fat and fructose diet fed Wistar rats.

AIMS: The present study aims to evaluate the antiobesity, hypolipidemic and cardioprotective effects of fermented sardinelle (Sardinella aurita) protein hydrolysates (FSPHs) produced with two proteolytic bacteria, Bacillus subtilis A26 (FSPH-A26) and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens An6 (FSPH-An6). MAIN METHODS: Wistar rats were fed during 10weeks a standard laboratory diet, a high caloric diet (HCD) and a HCD coupled with the oral administration of sardinelle meat flour (SMF) or FSPHs. KEY FINDINGS: HCD caused hyperlipidemia and increased body weight (BW). The daily oral administration of FSPHs or SMF reduced the total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) serum levels, and increased the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c). Nevertheless, FSPHs were found to be more efficient than SMF. FSPHs also lowered hepatic TC and TG content and decreased the pancreatic lipase activity. Further, the administration of FSPHs or SMF decreased the BW gain, the food intake and the relative epididymal adipose tissue weight. FSPHs exhibited a potent cardioprotective effect against heart attack, which was demonstrated by returning atherogenic indexes to their normal levels and the conservation of standard histological structure of the heart and aorta. SIGNIFICANCE: The overall results indicate that FSPHs contained bioactive peptides which significantly attenuated hyperlipidemia, and might reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in rats fed HCD.

Elaboration of reference material for cadmium and arsenic in hydrobiological products, for the purpose of being used in a laboratory intercomparation program / Elaboración de un material de referencia para cadmio y arsénico en productos hidrobiológicos, para propósito de ser utilizado en un programa de intercomparación de laboratorios

Reference materials (RM) are tools used in the comparability and traceability of measurements. They are widely used by laboratories for method validation and quality control of assay. Chile must evaluate theperformance of laboratories that analyzing metals in fishery products, despite RM have high prices and are scarce. For that reason, a RM in a hydrobiological product was developed. Reference values for arsenic and cadmium elements for a fishmeal were assigned. The measurement methods for characterization of the material were Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and Neutron Activation Analysis. Reference values with their expanded uncertainty (U) were established for arsenic 2.64 ± 0.42 mg/kg (U; k = 2) and for cadmium 0.86 ± 0.16 mg/kg (U; k = 2). Homogeneity and stability of the RM allowed its use in a proficiency test for eleven food control laboratories. Results for median were 2.114 mg/kg for arsenic, and 0.863 mg/kg for cadmium. The performance values of the participants were evaluated with a z score obtaining 60% satisfaction for arsenic and 73% for cadmium.The material demonstrated to be suitable for use in interlaboratory proficiency assay. (AU)

Materiales de referencia (MR) son herramientas utilizadas en la comparabilidad y trazabilidad entre mediciones. Laboratorios los utilizan ampliamente en validación de métodos y control de calidad. Chile debe evaluar el desempeño de los laboratorios que analizan metales en productos pesqueros, a pesar de los altos precios y escasez del MR. Por esa razón, se desarrolló un MR en producto hidrobiológico. Se asignaron valores de referencia para arsénico y cadmio en harina de pescado. Los métodos de medición para la caracterización del material fueron Espectrometría de Masas de Plasma Acoplado Inductivamente, Espectrometría de Absorción Atómica y Análisis de Activación de Neutrones. Se establecieron valores de referencia con su incertidumbre (U) para arsénico 2.64 ± 0.42 mg/kg (U; k = 2) y para cadmio 0.86 ± 0.16 mg/kg (U; k = 2). La homogeneidad y estabilidad del MR permitieron su uso en una prueba de aptitud para once laboratorios de control de alimentos. Las medianas fueron 2,114 mg/kg para arsénico y 0,863 mg/kg para cadmio. Se evaluaron los rendimientos de los participantes con un estadístico de puntaje z satisfactorio del 60% para el arsénico y 73% para el cadmio. El material demostró ser adecuado para uso en ensayo de aptitud de intercomparación. (AU)

Some oxidation products of ethoxyquin including those found in autoxidising systems.

2,4-Dimethyl-6-ethoxyquinoline (2), 1,2-dihydro-6-ethoxy-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline nitroxide (3), 2,6-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethyl-6-quinone imine N-oxide (4), 2,6-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethyl-6-quinone imine (5), 1.8' -di(1,2-dihydro-6-ethoxy-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline) (6) and 1,2-dihydro-6-hydroxy-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline (7) have been prepared from 1,2-dihydro-6-ethoxy-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline (1) (ethoxyquin) and their spectroscopic properties (UV, IR, mass and NMR) examined.

Determination of amino acids in fodders and raw materials using capillary zone electrophoresis.

Two schemes were offered for analysis of amino acid contents in fodders and raw materials for mixed fodders by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). The first variant provides express analysis of four technologically important amino acids (lysine, methionine, threonine, cystine) in borate buffer on characteristic absorption of aminogroup (190 nm), with limits of quantitation being on average 0.2%. The second scheme includes pre-capillary derivatization of amino acids using phenylisothiocyanate (PITC) and separation of phenylthiocarbamyl (PTC)-derivatives obtained by CZE with a detection on 254 nm, which allows to widen a list of detectable components up to 19 (without tryptophan) and significantly improve detection limits down to 0.01%. Acid hydrolysis was used for a sample preparation. The results of analysis of fodders were compared using such methods, as CZE, ion exchange chromatography (amino acid analyzer) and reversed-phase (RP)-HPLC (with gradient technique of elution).

Impedance detection of Salmonella in processed animal protein and meat.

The impedance technique showed a detection rate (95%) equal to that of conventional enrichment for raw meat contaminated with Salmonella. For processed animal protein samples impedance was less sensitive. A commercially available Easter and Gibson impedance medium used for the selective enrichment of salmonellae proved superior to the laboratory prepared equivalent for the detection of Salmonella in processed animal protein. The rate of false-positive results with the impedance technique was high.

Procedure for radiolabeling gizzerosine and basis for a radioimmunoassay.

A method for the labeling of gizzerosine (GZ), a biogenic amine found in fish meal, is described. The labeling procedure with (125)I using a water-soluble Bolton-Hunter reagent and a mild water-insoluble oxidant (Iodogen) reagent is rapid and reproducible. The (125)I-GZ hapten was demonstrated to be immunologically active in a radioimmunoassay developed with polyclonal antibodies to GZ absorbed with a histamine-Sepharose column. The curves were linear in the range of 0.0001 and 0.1 microgram/mL. Samples of fish meal previously extracted of histamine with methanol and submitted to acid hydrolysis were contaminated with known amounts of GZ and submitted to the assay. The fish meal samples contaminated with GZ show a dose-response effect similar to the standard curve, and apparently the other component present in the sample did not interfere with the binding of the antibodies to (125)I-GZ. These data indicate the suitability of the radioimmunoassay to determine specifically GZ in fish meal.

Levels of toxaphene indicator compounds in fish meal, fish oil and fish feed.

Three toxaphene indicator compounds were determined in fish oil and fish meal of different origin and raw material as well as in feed containing fish oil and fish meal. Fish oil and fish meal from South America contained no or only traces of the indicator congeners. The sum of the three compounds varied in fish oils from Europe between 13 micrograms/kg fat (sand eel oil) and 206 micrograms/kg fat (cod oil). Varying concentrations were also determined in European fish meal and in feed. Toxaphene indicator compounds were as well detected in trout and salmon fed with toxaphene residues containing feed. Results indicate that feed can contribute to toxaphene contamination of farmed salmon from Europe.

Performance and plasma amino acids of growing calves fed corn silage supplemented with ground soybeans, fishmeal and rumen-protected lysine.

A 100-d growth study was conducted to evaluate performance and plasma amino acid (AA) responses of 96 crossbred beef calves (220 kg) with ad libitum access to corn silage and supplemented with ground soybeans (GSB) with or without added fishmeal (FM) and (or) rumen-protected lysine (Lys). Calves were allotted by breed, sex and weight to four treatments with three replicate pens of eight calves per pen. The treatments were: GSB, GSB + Lys, GSB + FM and GSB + FM + Lys. The isonitrogenous supplements were top-dressed on corn silage once daily at a level of 2.27 kg/hd, with FM providing one-half of the supplemental N in FM-containing supplements. The Lys-containing supplements provided a daily intake of 6.0 g/hd of rumen-protected Lys. Dry matter intake was similar (P less than .10) for all treatments. Overall ADG and feed efficiency of GSB calves averaged .83 kg/d and 7.39 kg feed/kg gain, respectively, and were 14% lower than the mean of calves fed supplements containing FM and(or) Lys. Lysine was not the principal factor limiting growth because the inclusion of Lys alone in the GSB-containing supplements did not improve (P greater than .10) ADG, feed efficiency or plasma AA concentrations. In contrast, FM supplementation increased (P less than .05) ADG, feed efficiency and plasma concentrations of total AA, total essential AA and total nonessential AA. The inclusion of Lys in the GSB + FM-containing supplement resulted in no further improvement (P greater than .10) in performance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Development of monoclonal antibodies to gizzerosine, a toxic component present in fish meal.

This study is the first report of the development of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against gizzerosine (GZ), one of the causative agents of black vomit, a serious poultry disease. Balb/c mice were immunized with different GZ conjugates; the most immunogenic conjugate in experimental animals was determined by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assays (ELISA). Somatic fusions were carried out using splenic lymphocytes from GZ-immune mice and the NSO/2 myeloid cell line. Primary selection of hybridomas secreting antibodies to GZ was done using a direct ELISA, with GZ bound to bovine serum albumin (BSA), GZ directly bound to maleinimide preactivated plates and histamine bound to BSA, a GZ related biogenic amine present in fish meal. Four MAbs--3H4, 3H10, and 5B1 of the IgG1 isotype, and 8G7 of the Ig2a isotype-were specific to GZ and did not cross-react with histamine. Only monoclonals 3H4 and 8G7 bound GZ in solution by means of a competitive ELISA. Finally, to determine the performance of the competitive ELISA developed with the MAbs, experiments were conducted with GZ in solution (0 to 10 microg/ml) and with GZ labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as the tracer; the antibody complex was captured by using rabbit anti-mouse IgG preactivated ELISA plates. These experiments showed that monoclonal anti-GZ-3H4 generates a more sensitive assay close to linearity in the range about of 0.1 to 10 microg/ml of GZ. No cross-reaction was observed with histamine, histidine, or lysine at all concentrations tested.

Lipid keratopathy and atheromatosis in an SPF laboratory rabbit colony attributable to diet.

Sporadic cases of corneal opacity occurred in an SPF rabbit colony fed on a diet containing 10% white fish-meal. Routine histological monitoring also revealed atheromatous lesions involving the intima of the aorta, coronary arteries and the arteries of other organs in 29 rabbits examined. Serum cholesterol levels above 10 mmol/l were found in 7 rabbits, including 4 affected with corneal lesions, which proved to be lipid keratopathy on histochemical and electron microscopical examination. The serum cholesterol level was found to be within normal range (below 2.27 mmol/l) in 10 rabbits reared entirely on a modified version of the diet, where the 10% fish-meal content was replaced with 10% grass-meal. No more ocular or atheromatous lesions have been found since the adoption of the new diet for the colony.

Effect of several dermatitis preventing agents on foot pad dermatitis in dwarf and normal sized single comb white Leghorn layers.

Studies were conducted to determine the effects of increased dietary levels of vitamin and trace mineral mixtures, methionine, meat and bone meal, fish meal, and safflower oil on foot pad dermatitis in dwarf and normal size Single Comb White Leghorn layers. All layers were maintained in individual wire cages throughout a 40-week experiment period. Individual birds were scored for the incidence of foot pad dermatitis and production parameters were recorded. No significant decrease in the incidence of dermatitis was observed from the following dietary supplements: a 50% increase in a vitamin or a complete trace mineral mixture; a 50% increase in an iron, copper, iodine, and cobalt or a manganese and zinc mixture; .05% methionine; 5% meat and bone meal; 3% herring fish meal; or 2% safflower oil. It was concluded that these mixtures or supplements containing such dermatitis preventative agents as pantothenic acid, zinc, and linoleic acid appeared without effect in minimizing expression of the condition in dwarfs.

Dietary cellulose, wheat bran, and fish meal in relation to hepatic lipids, serum lipids, and lipid excretion in laying hens.

Isonitrogenous diets supplemented with 10% cellulose, 10% wheat bran, or 10% fish meal were fed to White Leghorn hens from 245 to 322 days of age. Neither body weights nor egg production of the hens fed these diets differed significantly from those of controls fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet. Supplemental fish meal and wheat bran did not significantly affect liver weight or liver lipids, although serum lipids of the hens fed the diet containing fish meal were significantly lower than those of the hens fed the basal diet. The hens fed the cellulose-supplemented diet, however, exhibited significantly decreased liver weights, serum lipids, and liver lipids, which were accompanied by a significant increase in excreta lipid. It is speculated that lipid excretion may be involved in some dietary induced alterations in the hepatic lipid concentration of laying chickens.

Effect of synthetic gizzerosine on growth, mortality, and gizzard erosion in broiler chicks.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the dose-dependent response of synthetic DL-gizzerosine (GIZZ) on the growth, mortality, and gizzard erosion (GE) of male broiler chicks. In a short-term experiment (7 days duration), 4-day-old chicks were fed diets supplemented with 20 levels of GIZZ (from 0 to 18 ppm) in three trials. In a long-term experiment (28 days duration), day-old chicks were fed diets supplemented with eight levels of GIZZ (from 0 to 1 ppm) in two trials. The GE scores, growth and mortality were measured. In the short-term experiment, GE scores of groups fed incremented levels of GIZZ increased rapidly up to 3 ppm of supplemental GIZZ. Weight gain was unaffected until the 1-ppm GIZZ supplementation level was reached, but scores were linearly depressed with increasing increments of dietary GIZZ thereafter. The first mortality occurred at 2 ppm dietary GIZZ, and the mortality rate increased with higher dietary GIZZ levels. In the long-term experiment, the GE scores also increased with increasing increments of supplemental GIZZ. Growth rates of birds fed supplemental GIZZ levels from 0 to .9 ppm were almost the same; growth rate declined at 1.0 ppm GIZZ. Mortality first appeared at .8 ppm supplemental GIZZ. It is suggested that the recommended concentration of GIZZ in practical diets should be less than .4 ppm (L-form).

The effect of gizzerosine, a recently discovered compound in overheated fish meal, on the gastric acid secretion in chicken.

The effect of gizzerosine [2-amino-9-(4-imidazolyl)-7-azanonanoic acid], which causes gizzard erosion in chicks, on gastric acid secretion was studied in young chicks. Three-day-old broiler chicks given a diet containing synthetic DL-gizzerosine showed severe symptoms of gizzard erosion after 7 days. The pH of the gastric and duodenal contents of these chicks was lower than that of the control chicks, demonstrating that acid secretion was enhanced in gizzerosine-fed chicks. The pH of gastric contents was lower and the amount of total gastric acid was higher in 1-day fasted chicks injected with gizzerosine intravenously than in those injected with physiological saline solution. The intramuscular injection of cimetidine, H2-receptor antagonist of histamine, blocked the stimulation of acid secretion by gizzerosine and by histamine. Cimetidine added in feed also prevented gizzard erosion, which was induced by feeding overheated mackerel meal. The results showed that gizzard erosion developed after oral or intravenous administration of gizzerosine is caused at least in part by the enhanced gastric acid secretion. Furthermore, it was suggested that gizzerosine acts on H2-receptor of histamine and stimulates the gastric acid secretion in broiler chicks.