Arsenicals in Feeds, Studies with Arsanilic Acid and Related Compounds

Abstract

Organic arsenicals are widely used as growth promotants and disease-control agents in feeds. Data on differences between the action of arsonic acids and antibiotics were sought, as well as differences between arsenicals themselves. There appears to be no good rationale why some arsenicals promote growth and others do not. Arsanilic acid and 3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid, both arsonic acids but differing in potency and in toxicity, have been most widely studied. Toxicity of arsenicals is a direct consequence of the arsenic which reaches vital tissues. Arsanilic acid, which is well tolerated in chickens, turkeys, swine, and dogs, gives low tissue arsenic levels. Arsanilic acid did not interfere with reproduction over three generations in rats. Unlike antibiotics, arsonic acids do not lessen the need for vitamin Bi2. Organic arsenicals provide important aids to animal production distinct from the antibiotics. That they can be safely used, with adequate controls and proper precautions, has been demonstrated.

Oxycarotenoids in Poultry Feeds

“…Negative responses (no effect due to feeding of arsenicals) were reported by Tarver et al (785), Elrod et al (252), West (858), and Marusich et al (552) with roxarsone and by Frost et al (292) with arsanilic acid. Johnson (438) and Marusich et al (551) failed to obtain any effect on broiler pigmentation with either roxarsone or arsanilic acid.…”

“…In his work with roxarsone, he was concerned with qualitative differences in pigmentation between roxarsone-fed birds and those receiving no roxarsone. Another possible explanation relates to the weak anticoccidial and weak an tibacterial properties of roxarsone and arsanilic acid against both pathogens and nonpathogens, as noted by Frost et al (292) A mild or subclinical coccidiosis may adversely affect broiler pigmentation; thus, in the presence of a subclinical or mild disease state the arsenical may exert a beneficial pigmenting effect. However, it appears that its use in some way enhances the optical appearance of the yellow pigments present."…”

Tapeworm (Moniezia expansa) and its effect on sheep production: The evidence reviewed

“…some arsenicals are used as livestock growth promotants, and some act like antibiotics in certain respects. (17) For sheep tapeworm studies the most suitable drug at present is niclosamide, which is effective against tapeworms,(15)(26l(M) and immature rumen flukes(21l) (family Paramphistomatidae) in the migration phase, but not against nematode parasites( 15)(26) or liver fluke (Bayer New Zealand Ltd, pers. com.).…”

Clinical, Toxicological, and Pathological Aspects of Arsanilic Acid Poisoning in Swine

“…There are many reports in the literature regarding the effects of feeding organic arsenicals to poultry and swine (Frost et al, 1955). To date no one has been able to assign a nutritional role to these compounds.…”