[Use of a broth made of the subepidermal layer of pig skin as feed].

Studied was a broth received from the T. Dokov leather factory in Etropole, prepared of swine skin subepidermal layer (BSSS). As many as 28 samples of BSSS were studied with regard to crude protein, crude fats, and aldehyde and peroxide numbers. The tolerability of BSSS was tested on a total of 150 Wistar albino rats after storing at various temperatures. Studied were also 10 batches of BSSS in fresh state (up to the 24th hour after receiving from the factory) as well as at intervals of up to 10 days in air-tight condition, at temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees C; 18 to 20 degrees C; and 37 degrees C. BSSS was administered orally, undiluted, at the rate of 3 ml/100 g body mass. The subchronic toxicity of BSSS was examined with two species of animals--pigs and broiler birds. BSSS was found to contain 12.2 to 14 g% proteins and 12.57 to 42.0 g% fats. When stored at 37 degrees C in nonsterile conditions its shelf life is but 24 hours, and at 4 degrees C it can be kept up to 10 days. It was tolerated well by rats, birds, and pigs when offered in fresh state. When mixed with other feed it did not lower the appetite of animals and could replace about 25-30 per cent of the daily protein ration. This, in turn, did not lead to changes in the white and red blood cell counts and in the biochemical composition of blood nor to changes in the internal organs and the striated muscles.