BIOCHEMICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDIES ON VISCERAL GOUT IN LAYERS WITH TRIAL OF TREATMENT

Abstract

A commercial 35 week old layer flock located in Salhia city Sharkia governorate suffered from drop in egg production, increased water consumption, diarrhea and increased mortality rate after consuming feed misformulation contain over 5kg sodium bicarbonate (SB) instead of 1-2 kg per/ton feed. Post mortem examination revealed deposition of whitish chalky material in the kidneys and coating of serous surface of abdominal organs especially liver and heart by this material. A total of one hundred layer hens were divided into four equal groups. Group 1 was obtained from healthy flock, hens received normal commercial ration and served as a control group. Hens of group (2,3 and 4) were obtained from affected flock. Group 2 received misformulated ration, group 3 received corrected ration free from sodium bicarbonate and group 4 received corrected ration with addition of allopurinol at a dose level 40 mg/Kg. b. wt and the samples were taken at the beginning of the experiment and at two and three weeks later. The hematological parameters RBCs count, Hb concentration and PCV of affected hens were significantly increased compared with healthy ones, moreover, blood pH in affected hens shifted toward the alkaline side. Serum levels of uric acid, total proteins and sodium were significantly increased while potassium leveland chloride wererelatively decreased.Microscopic examination revealed severe renal changes in highly affected hens, these changes included coagulative necrosis and renal casts in the lumen of renal tubules. The heart showed zenkers degeneration of cardiac muscle fibers and edema. Correction of ration improves partially the measured parameters whereas addition of allopurinol with correction of ration normalizes the examined parameters. It was concluded that correction of ration with addition of allopurinol. Leads to normalization of serum uric acid and others examined parameters in laying hen.