Aortic Rupture In Turkeys Research Articles

A biophysical and histological analysis of factors that lead to aortic rupture in normal and lathyritic turkeys.

These experiments were designed to determine if local differences in elastic properties or wall structure contributed to the development of aortic rupture in turkeys. Static elastic properties were measured from pressure-volume curves of cylindrical segments of upper and lower thoracic aorta and innominate artery in two groups of lathyritic birds and two age-matched control groups. The biggest changes were in the young lathyritic group that was on 0.04% beta-aminoproprionitrile at 3 weeks of age and continued for 2, 3, or 4 weeks. Much smaller changes were seen in the older group that started on 0.05% beta-aminoproprionitrile at 6 weeks of age for 10 days and then 0.02% beta-aminoproprionitrile for the next 9-12 weeks. The biggest changes were seen in the abdominal aorta, which ruptured spontaneously in 50% of the young lathyritic group. The birds had a marked decrease in the number of elastin layers per unit wall thickness. Analysis of the elastic diagrams showed that the elastance of both elastin and collagen were altered in the young lathyritic group. Rupture appeared to follow partial dissection of plaques, but true longitudinal dissection did not occur.

Influence of thyroactive iodinated casein on B-aminopropionitrile-induced aortic ruptures of turkeys

Turkeys were fed B-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) alone or in combination with iodinated casein which contained 0.04% thyroxine. More turkeys died with aortic rhexis in the latter group, presumably due to the higher blood pressure and aortic dp/dt max that occurred with this feeding regimen. In addition, mucopolysaccharide was more abundant and collagen less plentiful in the aortic wall, as compared to aortas of turkeys fed BAPN alone. The histologic appearance of thyroid glands also was altered by dietary regimens, and the thyroxine concentration of serum was significantly reduced by BAPN.

Influence of Diethylstilbestrol on the Turkey With Special Reference to Histological Changes in the Aorta

Abstract INTRODUCTION THE use of diethylstilbestrol (DES) presently is not permissible in the United States as an aid to increasing body weight gains or improving carcass quality in poultry. However, this compound represents a valuable tool for the study of spontaneous dissecting aneurysm (aortic rupture) in turkeys and other metabolic and physiological changes in the bird. DES implantations have been reported by Krista et al. (1961, 1965), Beall et al. (1963), and Simpson and Harms (1965) to increase the incidence of aortic rupture in turkeys. Krista et al. (1965) and Simpson and Harms (1965) reported a concomitant decrease in blood pressure with an increase in aortic rupture. The mechanism of DES producing an increase in aortic rupture has not been elucidated. As reported by Krista et al. (1965), simultaneous injections of testosterone with DES reduced the incidence of aortic rupture. Simpson et al. (1964) noted that additional dietary sodium chloride enhanced…

Seasonal variation of aortic ruptures of turkeys induced by diethylstilbestrol.

SummaryData were summarized from 23 experiments in which diethylstilbestrol (DES) was used to produce aortic rupture in turkeys. The mortality rate from DES injections decreased from January to July and increased from July to November. It was not possible to determine whether length of day or temperature change was directly related to mortality rate of DES-induced aortic ruptures of turkeys. However, it is speculated that thyroid activity as influenced by these changes may be involved.

Reduction of incidence of diethylstilbestrol induced aortic ruptures in turkeys by iodinated casein.

SummaryTurkeys treated with diethylstilbestrol (DES) were fed various levels of iodinated casein (Protomone). Mortality was lowered and body weights were elevated by increasing amounts of Protomone in the feed of DES-treated poults. Systolic blood pressure and plasma composition of DES-treated poults fed a high level of Protomone, most nearly approximated the corresponding values for control birds, but did not attain the values for control poults. The histology of the thyroid glands of DES-treated turkeys was altered by the feeding of a high level of Protomone.

β-Aminopropionitrile-induced aortic ruptures in turkeys: Inhibition by reserpine and enhancement by monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Abstract Reserpine prevented mortality from aortic ruptures when a level of 0.07% BAPN was fed to turkeys. The tensile strength of aortas of poults fed 0.07% BAPN-reserpine was about 2.5 times greater than that of poults fed only BAPN. Larger amounts of lysine were found in isolated elastin from aortas of birds fed 0.07% BAPN than from the aortas of turkeys fed 0.07% BAPN-reserpine. Profound elastic fiber changes were seen in aortas of poults fed 0.07% BAPN; minor changes of aortic elastic fibers and collagenous fiber proliferation were seen in aortas of birds fed 0.07% BAPN-reserpine. Feeding of low levels of BAPN (0.02%) caused a low mortality rate. Addition of a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (Nardil) to diets containing such a BAPN level resulted in high death rates, whereas reserpine in combination with these two chemicals resulted in a lower mortality rate. The tensile strengths of aortas from the last group were greater than that of the first group, but lysine content of isolated elastin was less. Little, severe, and moderate elastic fiber alterations were seen in aortas of turkeys fed 0.02% BAPN, 0.02% BAPN-Nardil, and 0.02% BAPN-Nardil-reserpine, respectively. The possible mechanism by which diets containing reserpine reduced the incidence of aortic rhexis induced by BAPN is discussed.

Effect of chronic reserpine on metabolism and chemical constituents of turkey testis.

THE tranquillizer reserpine has been used to control and prevent aortic rupture in turkeys, and because of the suggested effects of this alkaloid on fertility1–3 it was not surprising that a differential effect on reproductive efficiency with respect to sex was reported in mature turkeys4. Our more extensive investigations have shown that the reduction in fertility of male birds was not caused by any visible change in morphology of the spermatozoa, or their motility or concentration/mm3 of semen5. We did observe, however, a significant reduction in respiration in vitro of semen from birds treated with reserpine. These data suggested that the spermiogenic process of the treated males was producing unknown quantities of spermatozoa suffering from some metabolic or biochemical defect.

Influence of Cholesterol on Estrogen Induced Aortic Ruptures in Turkeys.

SummaryA high incidence of aortic ruptures occurred when turkeys were fed diets containing diethylstilbestrol, dienestrol diace-tate, and dienestrol diacetate-cholesterol. A low incidence of mortality occurred when turkeys were fed a diet fortified with both cholesterol and diethylstilbestrol, and there was a marked lowering of total plasma lipid of such treated poults. No mortality occurred in cholesterol fed and control birds. Coronary atherosclerosis was severe in diethyl-stilbestrol, dienestrol diacetate, and dienestrol diacetate-cholesterol fed turkeys, moderately severe in diethylstilbestrol-cholesterol fed turkeys, and mild in cholesterol fed turkeys.

Aortic ruptures in turkeys induced by diethylstilbestrol and dienestrol diacetate.

SummaryHigh levels of dienestrol dia-cetate in the feed of turkeys (512, 526, 1024 mg/lb) caused aortic ruptures and decreased weight gains, while a low level (256 mg/lb of feed) caused no mortality and increased weight gains. Comparable mortality, hyper-lipemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypotension resulted from the feeding of 16 gm diethylstilbestrol/100 lb and 512 or 1024 mg dienestrol diacetate per pound of feed.

Relationship of dietary sodium chloride to aortic ruptures in turkeys induced by diethylstilbestro.

SummaryThe incidence of aortic ruptures in turkeys induced by injections of DES was decreased by reducing dietary NaCl levels from 3.0% to 0% or from 0.5% to 0%. The incidence of the disease was increased by elevating dietary NaCl levels from 0.5% to 3% or feeding 3% for the entire trial. Hyperlipemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypercalcemia associated with the disease induced by DES injections was not influenced by the various levels of NaCl fed.

Failure of reserpine to modify the incidence of aortic ruptures induced in turkeys by diethylstilbestrol.

SummaryReserpine in the feed at the levels described herein did not reduce the incidence of aortic ruptures of turkeys induced by diethylstilbestrol. Reserpine had no effect on total plasma lipid or cholesterol levels, but did cause reduced weight gains and a slight lowering of the systolic blood pressure of older DES-dosed poults.

Effects of Continuous and Intermittent Reserpine and Different Choline Treatments on the Growth and Reproductive Performance of Turkeys

A SUMMARY of the literature pertaining to the effects of reserpine on the growth of turkeys has recently been presented by Morrison (1962). Most workers have found that the continuous feeding of reserpine, at levels as low as 0.2 p.p.m. in the diet, has depressed the gains of turkeys in the latter stages of a 24 week growing period, particularly males. Slinger et al. (1962) reviewed the literature on the effects of reserpine and various nutritional factors on the incidence of aortic rupture in turkeys. These workers noted that, while the interaction between choline and reserpine was not statistically significant, the results suggested that choline supplementation of practical turkey diets may have reduced the growth-depressing effect of reserpine. Therapeutic levels of 1 p.p.m. of dietary reserpine have been used to correct outbreaks of aortic rupture of turkeys in the field. With the exception of one paper (Casey et al., 1963),…

INFLUENCE OF HIGH DIETARY SODIUM CHLORIDE ON AORTIC RUPTURES IN TURKEYS INDUCED BY DIETHYLSTILBESTROL.

SummaryThe incidence of aortic ruptures in turkeys induced by injection of DES in a liquid form was modified by dietary composition including high NaCl levels. Diethylstil-bestrol injections also caused hyperproteinemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipemia and lowered blood pressure. High NaCl diets did not affect blood pressure.The technical assistance of J. W. Carlisle and C. J. Miller is acknowledged.

Effect of Diet on Aortic Ruptures in Turkeys Induced by Diethylstilbestrol

AORTIC ruptures in turkeys resulting from dissecting aneurysms were first reported in the United States by Durrell et al. (1952). This was soon recognized to be a major disease problem in turkeys, and was subsequently diagnosed in Canada (McSherry et al., 1954) and Great Britain (Carnaghan, 1955; Gibson and deGruchy, 1955). The cause of the disease is not known; however, fatal dissecting aneurysms in turkeys can be readily induced by feeding beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), the lathyrus factor (Barnett et al., 1957). Chicks fed a diet deficient in copper succumb from internal hemorrhages resulting from angiorrhexis (O’Dell et al., 1961). However, low-copper diets did not cause dissecting aneurysm or aortic rupture in turkeys (Savage et al., 1962; Simpson et al., 1963). Pritchard et al. (1958) reported that fatal dissecting aneurysms occurred in male turkeys in a commercial flock which had been implanted with diethylstilbestrol (DES) pellets. Beall et al. (1963) found that…

Production of Aortic Aneurysms in Turkeys and Effect of Various Compounds in Potentiating Induced Aortic Ruptures.

SummaryA number of compounds were tested for lathyrogenic activity, while others were investigated for their ability to potentiate BAPN induced aortic rupture in turkeys. β-Mercaptoethylamine hydrochloride when fed together with 1-isonicotinyl-2-isopropyl hydrazine phosphate was toxic, causing massive internal hemorrhages, and slower growth. Diaminobutyric acid and methyl 3-aminopropyl sulfide induced no aortic lesions. N-Glycyl-BAPN induced characteristic BAPN toxicity symptoms while 2 other acyl derivatives, N-pantoyl-BAPN and N-glutaryl-BAPN, did not. Furazolidone and Parnate sulfate, when fed together with BAPN, markedly enhanced the toxicity symptoms induced by BAPN. Additions of 3% L-lysine monohydrochloride, 3% L-cystine, or 2% taurine also potentiated BAPN toxicity in young turkeys.

Aortic repture in turkeys induced by diethylstilbestrol.

SummaryWeekly implantation of BroadBreasted Bronze turkeys with 24 mg of DES increased the incidence of aortic ruptures. Poults fed a 16% protein diet developed more aortic ruptures (58%) than turkeys fed a 28% protein diet (29%).

SU-9064, A Water-Soluble Tranquilizer for Handling Broilers and Replacement Pullets

N THE late 'fifties the use of tranquilizers in poultry was extensively explored.1'213'4'5'6 Given as continuous medication in the diet, the anti-stress and antihypertensive agent reserpine has found extensive use, particularly for the prevention and treatment of aortic rupture in turkeys.7'8'9 Since reserpine, for practical purposes, is insoluble in water, it is not suited for water medication of poultry. There are times when a water-soluble tranquilizer would be advantageous, especially where birds are to be medicated for short periods, e.g., during handling associated with catching, vaccination, and debeaking. For spot treatment, feed medication is frequently not the most desirable method of administration, because of difficulties in prompt administration and withdrawal of medication. If there is an immediate need for medication, the unmedicated feed must be removed from the feeders before the medicated feed can be provided. Frequently, the required medicated feed is not available and the medication must be mixed into the feed before it can be delivered to the farm. The ideal tranquilizer for handling poultry should possess the following characteristics: it must be active in water or feed; have a rapid onset, moderate duration of activity, and a rapid recovery; and be rapidly excreted from the tissues. In the hope of finding a suitable preparation, various derivatives and analogs of reserpine were studied. This paper deals with SU-9064 (Ciba), one of a number of compounds investigated.

The Influence of Dietary Ascorbic Acid on the Severity of Beta-Aminopropionitrile (BAPN) Toxicity in Turkeys

Abstract REVIEW OF LITERATURE THE ABNORMALITY described as aortic rupture in turkeys has often been reported since Durrell et al. (1952) original communication concerning the condition. McSherry et al. (1954) have shown that aortic rupture was preceded by a dissecting aneurysm. The toxic properties of the sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus has been recognized since the time of Hippocrates. Since one of the evident symptoms of lathyrism is the occurrence of a dissecting aneurysm with subsequent aortic rupture, considerable interest has arisen concerning the possible relationship between aortic rupture in turkeys and the condition observed in other animal species fed Lathyrus odoratus. McKay et al. (1954) and Schilling and Strong (1954) identified the toxic substance in Lathyrus odoratus as beta-amino propionitrile (BAPN). Lalich (1956) and Lalich et al. (1956) showed that BAPN fed to rats or turkeys produced both dissecting aneurysms and skeletal defects. Pritchard et al. (1958) reported no major histological …

Growth and Feed Utilization of Turkeys as Affected by Reserpine

Abstract AORTIC rupture in turkeys was first discussed by Durrell, Pomeroy, Carr and Jerstad in 1952 but was first adequately described by McSherry et al. (1954). Within recent years the severity of the problem has markedly increased. Various changes in management and rations have not altered the course of the condition, Ringer (1959), Morrison (1960). Ringer (1959) suggested that the high blood pressure of turkeys, particularly males, might account for the incidence of aortic rupture. Carlson (1959), Barnett (1960), Morrison (1960) and Slinger et al. (1961) reported that various levels of reserpine in the diet reduced losses from spontaneously appearing aortic rupture. The effect of reserpine on growth and feed efficiency when fed during the time when losses due to aortic rupture are most severe has not been adequately studied. Patrias (1960) reported that growth was only slightly affected when reserpine was fed to turkeys from sixteen to twenty-two weeks of …

Salt as a Stress Factor in Relation to Pendulous Crop and Aortic Rupture in Turkeys

IN THE course of an investigation on aortic rupture in turkeys a high incidence of pendulous crop was found to occur when the ration contained a higher percentage of salt than is recommended by the National Research Council (1960). The added salt was used as a diuretic as well as to increase blood pressure as implied by Grollman (1947). The possible relationship of blood pressure to aortic rupture has previously been noted by Gibson and deGruchy (1955) and Ringer and Rood (1959). Evidence for genetically transmitted pendulous crop has been presented by Asmundson and Hinshaw (1938) and for a dietary-induced pendulous crop by Wheeler et al. (1957 (1960). Research on the salt tolerance of poults has been reviewed by Roberts (1957) who also presented results on salt effect on turkeys 8 to 12, 26 to 30 and 31 to 34 weeks of age. A marked increase in water consumption was …