Broad-Breasted White turkeys were randomized into four treatment groups at 4 weeks of age in each of three trials. Group 1, males, and Group 2, females, were fed an unsupplemented (control) diet from 4 to 10 weeks of age. Group 3, males, and Group 4, females, were fed the control diet supplemented with 0.07%
beta-aminopropionitrile (
BAPN). The experiments were terminated
at 10 weeks of age. There was no mortality among male and female turkeys fed the control diet or significant differences in blood pressure, heart rate, aortic tensile strength, or aortic
hydroxyproline between these males and females. Sixty-five percent of the males and 21% of the females fed
BAPN died of
dissecting aneurysms; blood pressure, heart rate, and dp/dt max were not altered as a result of feeding
BAPN. Aortic tensile strength was higher in control turkeys than those fed
BAPN, but males fed
BAPN had the lowest value. Males fed
BAPN also had the lowest aortic
hydroxyproline content. Ultrastructural alterations of aortic elastic and
collagen fibers were more severe in males than females fed
BAPN. Aortic changes did not occur in control turkeys.