Effect of immunostimulator (Ascorbic acid) on the pathology of hydropericardium syndrome in broiler chickens

Pathological changes in hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) were studied in ascorbic acid and normal diet-fed broiler chickens. In ascorbic acid fed birds, there was significant decrease in the mortality due to HPS as compared with normal diet-fed birds. The gross and microscopic changes were primarily seen in the liver, spleen, heart, lungs and bursa of Fabricius. Typical litchi like appearance of heart was noticed in HPS infected birds though the degree of fluid accumulation was less in ascorbic acid-treated birds, and there was early recovery from lesions in these birds. Histopathologically, haemorrhages in the heart, intranuclear inclusion bodies in hepatocytes and congestion of lungs and depletion of lymphoid cell population in the spleen and bursa of Fabricius were noticed in HPS infected birds. These lesions were of less intensity in ascorbic acid-fed birds. The results showed improved resistance and shorter recovery period in ascorbic acid supplemented chickens infected with HPSL inoculum.