Single-dose oral toxicity study of a cross-linked sodium polyacrylate/polyvinyl alcohol copolymer in chickens (Gallus domesticus)

A single-dose oral toxicity study of a grafted copolymer of cross-linked so dium polyacrylate with polyvinyl alcohol was conducted in chickens (Gallus domesticus) to demonstrate this copolymer's safety for use as a hydration m edium in recently hatched poultry chicks. Three experimental groups, each c omposed of 25 male and 25 female 1-day-old chicks, were administered a one- time dose of 0, 3, or 6 g of the hydrated test article by gavage, All chick s were monitored daily for mortality and morbidity during their typical gro w-out period of approximately 8 weeks. Interim sacrifices of one animal of each sex from each treatment group mere made at 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks, All s urviving animals were necropsied at the end of the study, A single dose of up to 6 g of hydrated copolymer did not adversely affect these animals duri ng their grow-out period. Mortality was comparable across all experimental groups, as no statistically significant survival differences were found. Bo dy weights were also comparable across the three experimental groups at all time points during the study, and no statistically significant differences were detected in mean terminal body weights among the groups. Finally, les ion frequencies were similar across the three experimental groups, with non e of the lesions deemed related to administration of the test article. Thus , the safety of this cross-linked sodium polyacrylate/polyvinyl alcohol cop olymer has been demonstrated for its intended use. (C) 2000 Academic Press.