Histopathological, Metabolic and performance Changes in Laying Hens Affected by Fatty Liver Haemorrhagic Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) is a metabolic condition occurring worldwide in caged layers and causes significant losses to the egg industry.
Aims: to determine the main pathological, metabolic and performance changes in layers affected by fatty liver haemorrhagic syndrome.
Methods: The present study includes a (300) laying hens at the age fifty-three weeks from six farms suffering from the fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome. changes in body weight, feed intake, feed conversion rate was determined. blood samples were taken from brachial vein to determine albumin, globulin, total protein, albumin/ globulin, blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol, calcium, glucose, phosphorus. alt, alp, creatinine and creatine kinase. Full postmortem examination was performed and histopathological examination for liver sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin.
Results: Positive significant correlation was reported between body weight gain and feed intake (R= 0.703, P value = 0.000). Positive significant correlation was reported between body weight gain and feed conversion rate (R= 0.850, P value = 0.000). Positive significant correlation was reported between body weight gain and liver lesion score (R= 0.524, P value = 0.000). Significant difference was reported between hens with FLHS and normal hens regarding the values of albumin (P value = 0.000), albumin/ globulin (P value = 0.0018), globulin (P value = 0.009533), total protein (P value = 0.0000). Significant difference was reported between hens with FLHS and normal hens regarding the values of alkaline phosphatase (P value = 0.0000), No significant difference was reported between hens with FLHS and normal hens regarding the values of ALT (P value = 0.57339). Significant difference was reported between hens with FLHS and normal hens regarding the values of creatinine (P value = 0.00003421), creatine kinase (P value = 0.0000). Significant difference was reported between hens with FLHS and normal hens regarding the values of blood urea nitrogen (P value = 0.0015), cholesterol (P value = 0.00000), calcium (P value = 0.0000), phosphorus (P value = 0.000034), glucose (P value = 0.0000). Necropsy findings reveals abdomen filled with large blood spots with hepatomegaly and fat deposition. Liver usually friable and presented with yellow, pale or putty colors. Histopathological necrosis for hepatic cords with moderate dilation and congestion of sinusoidal together with wide hemorrhages.
Conclusions: FLHS induced mainly with consumption of high energy diet causing serious negative effects on liver function as well as most vital metabolic biomarkers in laying hens