1Division of Veterinary Pathology, G.B.P.U.A.T., Pantnagar, Uttrakhand, India
2Division of Veterinary Public Health, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Uttar Pradesh, India
3Division of Veterinary Surgery, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Uttar Pradesh, India
4Division of Veterinary Medicine, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Uttar Pradesh, India
5Division of Animal Nutrition, F.V. Sc. and A.H., SKUAST-J, India
6Dept. of Veterinary Biochemistry and Physiology, SKUAST-Jammu, India
*Corresponding author: M Mudasir; E-mail: dr.mirmudasir@gmail.com
Online published on 23 September, 2016.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of excess zinc on the gross and microscopic changes of different organs along with performance parameters in male white leg horn (WLH) chicks. A total of 80 WLH male birds of 4 weeks age were randomly and equally divided into four groups (C, G1, G2 and G3). Zinc sulphate was incorporated in drinking water @ 15000 ppm, 25000 ppm and 35000 ppm to group G1, G2 and G3, respectively, for a period of 8 weeks. The birds from each group were sacrificed at the end of the experimental trial for pathomorphological changes and estimation of organ body weight ratio. Significant histopathological changes were noticed in liver, spleen, gizzard, bursa kidneys and pancreas. Atrophy of liver, testes, spleen, bursa, pancreas and gizzard were also noticed. This study confirms that, the high levels of zinc have an adverse effect on health and performance of the birds.
Cockerels, Pathomorphology, Performance, toxicity, Zinc
