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Ankara Üniv Vet Fak Derg, 59, 271-277, 2012
The effect of tibial dyschondroplasia on metabolic parameters in
broiler chickens
Halit İMİK1, Kübra Asena TERİM KAPAKİN2, Recep GÜMÜŞ1, Samet KAPAKİN3, Ali KURT4
1 Department of Animal Nutrition and Nutritional Disorders, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Ataturk University; 2 Department of
Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Ataturk University; 3Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ataturk University;
4Department of Pathology, Erzurum Regional Research and Education Hospital, Erzurum Turkey.
Summary: Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) deteriorates the welfare of broiler chickens and causes economic loss. The present
study was aimed at the investigation of the effect of TD on metabolic parameters and the demonstration of the aetiology of this
disorder. For this purpose, blood serum mineral, lipid, protein, glucose, uric acid and enzyme levels, and histopathological alterations
in the tissues of the tibiotarsal joint were determined. Ten broiler chickens suffering from TD and 10 healthy broiler chickens, all
which were of the Ross 308 breed, constituted the material of the study. Analyses showed that calcium, phosphorus and free fatty
acid blood serum levels were lower, whilst triglyceride, cholesterol, low density lipoproteins (LDL), very low density lipoproteins
(VLDL) rates and uric acid and creatinine levels were higher in animals suffering from tibial dyschondroplasia, compared to healthy
animals (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference existed between the glucose and amylase levels and alanine aminotransferase
(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), activities of broilers
diagnosed with tibial dyschondroplasia and healthy broilers. The histopathological examination of the tissues of the tibiotarsal joint
of the animals diagnosed with TD revealed degenerative alterations characterized by the dominance of hypertrophy and the lack of
urate crystals and calcification in chondrocytes. In animals with TD, calcium and phosphorus blood serum levels were low, whilst the
lipid profile and amount of uric acid were high. On the other hand, ALP enzyme activity was determined not to display any
alteration.
Key words: Broiler, metabolic parameter, tibial dyschondroplasia.
Etçi piliçlerde tibial diskondoplazinin metabolik parametrelere etkisi
Özet: Tibial diskondoplazi (TD) piliçlerin refahını bozmakta ve ekonomik kayıplara neden olmaktadır. Bu çalışma TD’nin
metabolik parametrelere etkisini ve etiyolojisini belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Bu nedenle hayvanların kan serumlarında mineral,
lipit, protein, glikoz, ürik asit ve enzim değerleri ve tibiotarsal eklem dokusundaki histopatolojik değişimler tespit edilmiştir.
Araştırmada10 adet TD’li ve 10 adet sağlıklı broiler (Ross 308) kullanılmıştır. Tibial diskondoplazili hayvanların kan serumlarındaki
kalsiyum, fosfor seviyesi ve serbest yağ asitleri oranı sağlıklı hayvanlardan düşük; tigliserit, kolesterol, düşük yoğunluklu lipoprotein
(LDL), çok düşük yoğunluklu lipoprotein (VLDL) oranları, ürik asit ve kreatinin miktarları ise yüksek bulunmuştur (P<0.05). Tibial
diskondoplazili ve sağlıklı broilerin glikoz ve amilaz seviyeleri ile alanin aminotransferaz (ALT), aspartat aminotransferaz (AST), γ-
glutamyltransferaz (GGT), ve alkalin fosfataz (ALP), aktiviteleri arasında ise istatistiksel farklılık tespit edilmemiştir. Araştırmada
TD’li hayvanların tibiotarsal eklem dokusunun histopatolojik incelenmesinde dejeneratif değişiklikler, kondrositlerde hipertrofinin
baskın olduğu, ürat kristalleri ve kalsifikasyonun ise olmadığı tespit edildi. Tibial diskondoplazili hayvanların kan serumlarında
kalsiyum ve fosfor seviyelerinin düşük, lipit profilinin ve ürik asit miktarının yüksek, ALP enzim aktivitesinin ise değişmediği
belirlenmiştir.
Anahtar sözcükler: Broyler, metabolik parameter, tibiyal diskondroplazi.
Introduction
Dyschondroplasia is a disorder of the growth plates,
commonly observed in broiler chickens, ducks and
turkeys. As the deformty are most frequently observed on
the epiphyseal growth plate of the tibial tarsal bone, the
disorder is referred to as tibial dyschondroplasia (TD)
(28).
The use of fast-growing hybrids in broiler
production is associated with the more frequent
observation of leg problems, mainly tibial
dsychondroplasia (26). This disorder has adverse
implications for both the welfare and the development of
animals and causes 30% of the economic losses
encountered in broiler production. Although the underlying
mechanism of tibial dyschondroplasia remains unclear, it
is known that predisposing factors of fast-growing
poultry breeds, including genetic factors, misapplications
in broiler production (14, 24, 26, 28) and factors related
Halit İmik - Kübra Asena Terim Kapakin - Recep Gümüş - Samet Kapakin - Ali Kurt
272
to the feeding of animals (15, 17, 23, 28, 31) play a
major role in the development of this disorder.
It is observed that, the lesions develop, in general,
bilaterally, and sometimes unilaterally in the proximal
region of the tibial tarsal bone. At early stage, the
disorder clinically manifests as deformation and lameness,
which later may be associated with bone fractures.
Macroscopically, thickening of the epiphyseal plate and
the formation of an abnormal opaque cartilaginous mass,
extending from the distal end of the epiphyseal plate into
the metaphysis, are observed (4, 28, 30). This abnormal
cartilaginous mass is non-mineralized, devoid of blood
vessels, and of soft consistency. The most pronounced
histopathological lesions in such cases are the presence
of hypertrophic and immature chondrocytes in the
epiphyseal plate (4, 12, 20, 28, 30). Moreover,
degeneration of chondrocytes and patches of necrosis
may also be observed. Furthermore, reports point out to
increase in the matrix with no calcification in the necrotic
regions.
Previously conducted several studies have
demonstrated that the development of tibial
dyschondroplasia could be minimized by means of
various modifications to the rations fed to animals (15,
18, 19, 34). Oso et al (23) reported that different calcium
sources incorporated into broiler rations have different
effects on bone mineralisation and the development of
TD. Houshmand et al (11) reported that the
supplementation of broiler rations with low levels of
calcium increased the incidence of TD. Liu et al (19)
suggested that hydrolysed soy and fish oil added to quail
rations were much more beneficial for bone metabolism,
compared to soy oil and poultry fat. Yalçın et al (33)
demonstrated that the temperatures to which avian
embryos were subjected to during their early
developmental stage increased the incidence of TD with
significant effects on the ash rate and no effect on the
calcium rate and weight of the tibia.
In order to elucidate the aetiology of tibial
dyschondroplasia, it is important to understand the impact
of this disorder on metabolic parameters. With an aim to
fully understand the mechanism of action of tibial
dyschondroplasia, the mineral, protein, energy, lipid,
enzyme, uric acid, creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen
(BUN) blood serum levels and histopathological
alterations in the tissues of the tibiotarsal joint were
investigated in the present study.
Materials and Methods
Experimental animals, trial method and blood
samples: This study was approved by the Local Ethics
Board for Experimental Animals of Atatürk University
(Decision No: 2011/3/11). Twenty broiler chickens of
the Ross 308 breed aged of 42 days, 10 of which
suffered from tibial dyschondroplasia and 10 of which
were healthy, constituted the material of the study. The
feed given to the animals was prepared in accordance
with the recommendations of the National Research
Council (22). Chemical analyses of starter, grower and
finish diets were run using references of Association of
Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) (3). The nutrient
composition of the feed provided to the experimental
animals in the present study is shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Composition and nutrient content of diets.
Tablo 1. Karma yemlerin bileşimleri ve besin madde içerikleri.
Ingredients Starter
1-15
day (%)
Grower
16 -28
day (%)
Finisher
29-42 day
(%)
Corn 56.99 58.74 64.16
Corn glutein 20.00 20.00 20.00
Boncalite 7.00 7.00 7.00
Soybean oil 0.78 3.72 3.22
Soybean meal 11.53 7.14 1.99
Calcium carbonate 1.36 1.23 1.18
Dicalciumphosphate 1.06 0.91 1.00
L-lysine 0.40 0.42 0.56
Salt 0.26 0.27 0.27
Vitamin-mineral premix 0.20 0.20 0.25
Toxin binder 0.10 0.10 0.10
Anticoccidial 0.10 0.10 0.10
Sodium bicarbonate 0.10 0.09 0.09
Growth factor 0.05 0.05 0.05
Phyzymexptpt 0.03 0.03 0.03
DL-Methionine 0.04 - -
Nutritional levels
Metabolic energy kcal/kg 3000 3200 3200
Crude Protein % 23 21 19
Calcium 1.00 0.90 0.90
Phosphorus (utilizable) 0.44 0.40 0.41
Sodium 0.15 0.15 0.15
Biochemical Analyses: On the 42nd day of production,
in the morning and before the animals were fed, blood
samples were collected by wing vein puncture into sterile
tubes, which were not coated with an anticoagulant. After
clotting, the samples centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 10 mn
by a cooler centrifuge at +4o C. Then sera were carefully
harvested and stored at -20°C until analysis. All
biochemical analyses were performed in a week.
Biochemical parameters in sera were analyzed
through an automatic analyzer in commercial test kits
(Cobas 6000 analyzer, Roche). The parameters were
glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, triglyceride,
cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density
lipoproteins (LDL) amylase (AMYL), aspartate
aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT),
γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase
(ALP), calcium (Ca), phosphor (P), magnesium (Mg),
and iron (Fe). Additionally, VLDL was calculated by
dividing triglyceride by five.
Ankara Üniv Vet Fak Derg, 59, 2012 273
Analysis of Lipid Profile: High performance thin-
layer chromatography (HPTLC) was used to separate and
determine the composition of the serum lipids. To this
end, 500μl n-hexane/iso-propanol (2:1 (v/v)) mixture was
added to 500μl of serum. After vigorous vortexing, the
tubes were centrifuged at 4°C, 5.000 x g for 10 minutes
to obtain phase separation; the upper phase (n-hexane
phase) was used for HPTLC. Five microlitre portions of
the extracted lipids were spotted with a micropipette 2
cm from the bottom of the HPTLC plates. The lipids
were developed at 6 cm with a mixture of n-hexane:
diethylether: formic acid (80:20:2 (v/v/v)). After
development, the entire plate was sprayed with 10%
CuSO4 (/v) in 8% H3PO4 (v/v) and charred at 180°C for
10 minutes (24) to visualize the lipid classes. A standard
lipid mixture comprised of L-α-phosphatidylcholine,
cholesterol, palmitic acid, triolein, squalene, and the
serum lipids were separated into the following classes:
hydrocarbons (HC), triacylglycerol (TAG), free fatty
acids (FFA), cholesterol (CH), and polar lipids (PL) (13).
Histopathological Examination: On the 42nd day,
the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation for
necropsy. Tissue samples were taken from proximal ands
of the tibiotarsal joints. The samples were fixed 10%
neutral buffered formalin. Then, the samples were
decalcified in 36.8% formic acid and 6.8% sodium
formate. Finally, the samples were post-fixed and
embedded in paraffin. After routin eprocedures, 5 μm
thick sections were cut and stained routinely with
haematoxylin eosin, Alcian Blue, von Kossa, Masson’s
Trichrome (MTC), and examined under a light microscope.
Statistical analysis: The serum parameters pertaining
to the healthy animals and animals suffering from TD
were evaluated statistically using the independent-samples
t-test (29).
Results
Biochemical Findings: The biochemical parameters
determined in the blood serum samples of broiler
chickens diagnosed with tibial dyschondroplasia and
healthy broiler chickens are presented in Table 2. Serum
calcium and phosphorus levels were significantly lower
in the broiler chickens diagnosed with tibial
dyschondroplasia, in comparison to the healthy animals
(P<0.05); whilst Mg, Fe, Na, K and Cl levels were
similar in both groups. The serum triglyceride,
cholesterol, LDL, VLDL levels of the animals diagnosed
with tibial dyschondroplasia were significantly higher
than those of the healthy broilers (P<0.05). On the other
hand, HDL levels did not differ between the two groups.
It was determined that the serum hydrocarbon levels of
the healthy broiler chickens were significantly lower and
the free fatty acid levels were higher than those of the
broiler chickens suffering from TD (P<0.05).
Furthermore, the serum TAG, CH and PL levels,
glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, and of liver
enzymes, AMYL, ALT, AST, GGT, ALP and BUN
values did not statistically differ between the healthy
broiler chickens and the broiler chickens suffering from
TD. Furthermore, the serum uric acid and creatinine
levels of the chickens suffering from TD were
significantly higher than the levels of the healthy broiler
chickens (P<0.05).
Table 2. Serum energy, lipid, enzyme, protein, uric acid and
mineral levels of healthy broiler vs with tibial dyschondroplasia.
Table 2. Sağlıklı ve tibial diskonroplazili broilerin serum enerji,
lipit, enzim, protein, ürik asit ve mineral seviyeleri.
Healthy Tibial
dyschondroplasia Significant
Ca mg/dL 11.53±0.64 11.32±1.33 *
P mg/dL 7.30±0.68 6.90±1.03 *
Mg mg/dL 2.52±0.01 2.67±0.07 NS
Fe µg/gL 107.50±25.44 106.17±12.45 NS
Na 150.50±2.08 143.00±9.7 NS
K 4.83±0.46 4.23±0.45 NS
Cl 112.25±3.40 109.67±3.98 NS
Triglyceride
mg/dL 68.50±5.32 100.83±25.40 *
Cholesterol mg/dL 135.25±17.82 161.67±12.71 *
HDLmg/dL 101.75±13.15 108.33±7.47 NS
LDLmg/dL 18.75±6.19 30.67±12.47 *
VLDLmg/dL 13.75±0.96 20.17±4.96 *
HC % 62.32±2.37 65.67±0.77 *
TAG % 6.62±0.64 7.76±1.28 NS
FFA % 9.18±2.03 5.54±0.29 *
CH % 13.90±0.71 14.37±0.34 NS
PL % 7.98±1.46 6.67±1.43 NS
Glucose mg/dL 221.75±14.80 214.17±43.49 NS
Total protein g/dL 31.25±2.87 33.60±5.68 NS
Albumin g/dL 15.50±1.92 18.00±2.76 NS
Globulin g/dL 15.75±2.63 16.40±4.62 NS
AMYL U/L 270.75±56.38 304.20±65.01 NS
ALT U/L 17.60±3.78 15.83±3.19 NS
AST U/L 44.40±16.92 51.83±12.04 NS
GGT U/L 1.36±0.48 1.80±0.55 NS
ALP U/L 24.60±7.73 21.67±8.31 NS
Uric acid mg/dL 5.00±1.00 6.40±1.83 *
Kreatinin 0 0.83±0.31 *
BUN 1.15±0.29 1.23±1.03 NS
*P<0.05. Different letters in the same column represent a
statistical significance between the groups. Calcium (Ca),
phosphor (P), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), High-density
lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), Very-low-
density lipoprotein (VLDL), amylase (AMYL), aspartate
aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-
glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP),
Hydrocarbons (HC), triacylglycerol (TAG), free fatty acids
(FFA), cholesterol (CH), and polar lipids (PL).
Halit İmik - Kübra Asena Terim Kapakin - Recep Gümüş - Samet Kapakin - Ali Kurt
274
Macroscopic Findings: Macroscopically, out of 10
broiler chickens diagnosed with tibial dyschondroplasia,
6 unilateral and 4 bilateral thickening and swelling at the
growth plate of the tibiotarsal joint. In addition, the dull
white color cartilage mass extending from distal end of
epiphyseal plate into metaphysis was observed. It was
observed that the animals had difficulties in consuming
feed and water associated with significant weight loss,
feather loss, lameness and difficulty in maintaining
standing position (Figure 1).
Microscopic Findings: Microscopic examination
revealed that the most pronounced finding in the
epiphyseal growth plate of the tibiotarsal joints was
extreme hypertrophy of chondrocytes, an increased
number of immature chondrocytes (Figures 2a-b) and
lack of blood vessels. Apart from degenerative changes
and mucoid substance (Figures 2a-b), it was ascertained
that patches of necrotic chondrocytes existed. Alcian blue
and MTC staining demonstrated that the amount of
mucoid substance (Figures 3a-b) had increased in the
Figure 1 a-b: Swollen and enlargement of the tibiotarsal joint
and feather loss.
Şekil 1 a-b: Tibiotarsal eklemde kalınlaşma ve tüylerde
dökülme.
Figures 2 a-b: Immature chondrocytes (arrow)and mucoid substance(arrow head) HE., Bar: 50 μm.
Şekil 2a-b: Olgunlaşmamış kondrositler (ok), ve mukoid madde (ok başı). HE., Bar: 50 μm.
Figures 3 a: Mucoid substance in necrose region (arrow) Alcian blue, Bar: 50 μm.; b: Mucoid substance in necrose region (arrow)
MTC., Bar: 20 μm.
Şekil 3 a. Nekrotik bölgede mukoid madde (ok). Alcian blue, Bar: 50 μm.; b. Nekrotik bölgede mukoid madde (ok). MTC., Bar: 20
μm.
Ankara Üniv Vet Fak Derg, 59, 2012 275
degenerated region, whilst von Kossa staining showed
that there was no calcium accumulation. Furthermore,
MTC staining revealed significant proliferation of
connective tissue cells. In none of the cases were urate
crystals determined in histopathological examination. No
histopathological lesion was evidenced in control broilers
(Figure 4).
Discussion and Conclusion
The use of fast-growing breeds in broiler production
has led to an increased incidence of leg problems
resulting from developmental disorders of bone tissue. It
is known that bone formation is affected by multiple
factors, including genetics, diseases, toxins, anti-
nutritional feed, age, sex, diet, physical activity and the
endocrine system (27). Bones are composed of inorganic
salts that accumulate within the organic matrix made up
of collagen fibrils and glycoproteins. The general
structure of bone minerals is in the form of
hydroxyapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2] crystals and contains
several inorganic elements, including among others,
calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium,
chloride and fluoride (6). Leg problems occur as a result
of the incomplete development of bone and cartilage
tissues, and mainly as a consequence of tibial
dyschondroplasia (10, 14). Although the exact aetiology
of TD remains unclear, it is known that genetics, feeding
and management play a major role in such cases and lead
to morphological, biochemical and molecular alterations
in tissues and cells. In tibial dyschondroplasia, lesions
are generally observed in the epiphyseal growth plate of
the tibial tarsal bone. Furthermore, it has been suggested
that such cases occur upon the enlargement of the
cartilage to a level, which prevents the entirety of the
cells within the matrix from receiving nutrients and
oxygen (2, 6, 25). Macroscopic signs that aid in the
diagnosis of TD are lameness, and the swelling and soft
consistency of the joints (4, 7, 10, 28, 30), whilst definitive
diagnosis of the disorder is based on the histopathological
determination of the presence of an increased number of
hypertrophic and/or immature chondrocytes (4, 12, 20,
28, 30). Further histopathological signs observed in TD
have been reported as increase in mucoid substance as a
result of degenerative changes and lack of both
mineralisation and blood vessel formation (7, 10, 27, 28,
30).
It has been reported that the lesions are generally
found unilateraly in animals with TD. In present study,
the lesions are located unilateraly in 6 broilers and
bilateraly in 4 broilers. Macroscopically, in our cases
thickening at the growth plate of the tibiotarsal joint and
presence of dull cartilage mass entering from distal end
of epiphyseal plate into metaphysis this findings are in
accordance with previous studys. In the present study, the
observation of thickening and enlargement in the
tibiotarsal joint associated with the extreme hypertrophy
of chondrocytes, increase in the number of immature
chondrocytes, presence of patches of necrotic
chondrocytes, degenerative changes, increase in the
amount of mucoid substance and proliferation of
connective tissue cells was in compliance with literature
reports.
It is known that leg health is affected by excessive
or poor levels of minerals, vitamins and trace elements in
the ration. Moreover, Ca, P and Vitamin D have been
reported to have major effect on the development of bone
tissue (8, 21, 26, 31). In a study, in which broiler rations
were supplemented with 200, 1500, 2500 and 3500 IU/kg
of cholecalciferol, it was determined that in direct
proportion to these supplemental doses, ash rates of the
tibial and toe bones and serum calcium and phosphorus
levels increased with significant decrease in the incidence
of TD (15, 21) reported that, the supplementation of
poultry rations with different doses of Ca and 1,25-
(OH)2D3 decreased the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia
and increased significantly bone ash rates. The formation
of bone tissue is directly related to serum calcium and
phosphorus levels. In the present study, the serum Ca and
P levels of broiler chickens diagnosed with TD being
lower than that of healthy broiler chickens demonstrates
that low levels increase the incidence of tibial
dyschondroplasia. These findings are further supported
by those obtained in previously conducted studies (8,
34). Moreover, the histopathological determination of
affected regions being devoid of calcification and blood
vessels in TD cases in the present study is also in
compliance with literature reports.
Lipids incorporated into the ration also play a
significant role in bone metabolism. When lipids
containing n: 3 are added to the ration, PGE2 production
in bones decreases and osteoclastic activity increases.
Fleming (8) reported that, the rate of n=3 PUFA/n=6
PUFA was correlated with the leg health of broiler
Figure 4: Apperance of normal chondrocytes. HE., Bar: 20 μm.
Şekil 4: Normal kondrositlerin görünümü. HE., Bar: 20 μm.
Halit İmik - Kübra Asena Terim Kapakin - Recep Gümüş - Samet Kapakin - Ali Kurt
276
chickens. As the rate of n=3 PUFA in the ration
increased, the leg health of the animals improved. Liu et
al. (19) indicated that the supplementation of Japanese
quail rations with soy oil and poultry fat adversely
affected the metabolism and histological structure of
bones when compared to fish oil, and significantly
decreased bone mineral levels and significantly increased
prostaglandin E2 levels in the bone marrow and tibial
bone. Korotkova et al (16), in a study in which they
added polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to rat feed,
determined that the proportion of n=6:n=3 had a
significant effect on bone metabolism. These researchers
also reported that the bone growth of the rats given
n=6+n=3 were better than those given n=3 and n=6.
Chan et al (5) reported that, while n=3 fatty acids had a
significant role in bone formation and the induction of
osteoblasts, prostaglandins containing n=6 fatty acids
inhibited bone development. Griel et al (9) reported that
n=3 PUFA contributed to bone formation by decreasing
bone resorption and positively influencing bone
metabolism. Watkins et al (32) determined that, in rats,
prostaglandin E2 production in bones decreased with the
presence of n=3 and increased with the presence of n=6
in the rations. In the present study, the serum triglyceride,
cholesterol, LDL and VLDL levels and hydrocarbon
rates of animals suffering from TD being higher than
those of healthy animals demonstrated the effect of lipids
on leg health. It is evident that further studies are
required to elucidate the effect of fatty acids on leg
health.
The growth of bones involves complex metabolic
processes. While osteoclasts enable the secretion of
minerals required for bone formation into the
extracellular fluid, osteoblasts enable the uptake of these
minerals from the extracellular fluid during bone
formation. Another factor, which affects bone growth, is
the enzyme ALP. This enzyme adversely affects
calcification by inducing osteoclast cells (1, 33). On the
other hand, Rath et al. (27) reported that ALP enzyme
activity in animals with TD was similar to that of healthy
animals. Findings obtained in the present study,
suggesting similarity between the serum ALP activity of
animals with TD and healthy animals, were in agreement
with the findings of Rath et al. (27).
It is known that, in animals exposed to stress, serum
uric acid levels are elevated for the sustainability of vital
functions and maintenance of adaptation. When
analysing the serum parameters of animals diagnosed
with tibial dyschondroplasia, significantly elevated uric
acid and creatinine levels can be interpreted as indicators
of animals having been exposed to stress. In the present
study, histopathological examination revealed no urate
crystals in the tibiotarsal joint.
In conclusion, the TD, based on histopathological
findings, suggest that the mineral and lipid composition
of the ration fed to the animals may be influential in the
aetiology of this disorder. For this reason, it is considered
that the adjustment of the calcium and phosphorus levels
and n=6 and n=3 rates of the lipids of the ration could be
of use for the minimisation of the occurrence of leg
problems. Furthermore, it is considered that further
studies are required to fully understand serum calcium
and phosphorus levels being low and the triglyceride,
cholesterol, LDL, VLDL levels and hydrocarbon rates
being high in the broiler chickens diagnosed with and
elucidate the effects of lipids incorporated into the ration.
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Geliş tarihi: 15.02.2012 / Kabul tarihi: 03.05.2012
Address for correspondence:
Dr. Halit İmik,
Department of Animal Nutrition and Nutritional Disorders,
Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Ataturk University,
Erzurum, Turkey.
E-mail: himik@atauni.edu.tr; halitimik60@hotmail.com
