Magnesium Deficiency in the Chick

The results of clinical and neuropathologic studies of magnesium deficiency in the growing chick have been presented. Clinically, magnesium deficiency in the chick is characterized by poor growth and feathering, decreased muscle tone, squatting, ataxia, fine palpable tremors, progressive incoordination of movements, convulsions, and death. A description is presented of the neuropathologic alterations which were found in the cerebellar Purkinje cells of magnesium deficient chicks. These changes were characterized by swelling, by tigrolysis, by nuclear alterations, and by failure of the Purkinje cell dendrites to stain. There was no evidence of gross pathologic changes. The neuropathology is correlated with the clinical symptoms.