Western
Meeting of Poultry
Clinicians and Pathologists
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Clinicians and Pathologists
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Nutritional Muscular Dystrophy in Broiler Breeder Hens Victoria Bowes B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Animal Health Centre
Nutritional muscular dystrophy was diagnosed in a flock of 46-week-old broiler breeder hens, which experienced a sudden drop in production associated with a recent load of feed. Concurrently, a reduction in feed and water consumption and an increase in mortality occurred. Egg production had dropped 27% over seven days. Necropsy revealed birds in excellent body condition and full production. The abdominal fat pads were excessively greasy. There was extensive edema, pallor and swelling of the deep pectoral muscles and there were prominent pale streaks in the gracilis muscles. Histologically the lesions were characterized by well demarkated areas of myofibrillar swelling, hyaline degeneration and fragmentation. There was random myofibrillar necrosis with mild mineralization. There was diffuse infiltration with mononuclear inflammatory cells and occasional fibrous replacement of lost muscle fibers. A tentative diagnosis of nutritional myopathy was made, most likely related to Vitamin E/Se deficiency. The old feed was pulled and replaced with Vitamin E/Se fortified new feed. B vitamins and Se were also supplemented in the drinking water. There was an immediate reduction in mortality and increase in feed and water consumption, thus supporting the diagnosis. The suspect feed was found to be negative for ionophore cocidiostats, aflatoxin and vomitoxin. Selenium levels in the feed were found to be adequate although liver levels in affected birds were low (0.26 ppm). Vitamin E was no analyzed.
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