Pathomorphological alterations due to pulmonary hypertension syndrome in broiler chicken reared under temperate climatic conditions of Northern Himalayas

Abstract

Present study was aimed to investigate path anatomical alterations in commercial broiler chickens with spontaneous Pulmonary Hypertension Syndrome (Ascites).Gross lesions included ascites, cyanotic musculature, right ventricular hypertrophy/ cardiomegaly, and congestion, haemorrhages, and oedema of different organs. Histopathologically marked changes were observed in heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, brain, GIT thyroid, adrenal gland and lymphoid organs. the lesions, in general, included varying degrees of congestion, haemorrhages and perivascular leakage of lymph / oedema; thickening of vascular walls with medial hypertrophy and cystic dilatation of lymphatics; inflammatory changes with predominantly perivascular mononuclear cell and also heterophil infiltration in; neuronal and purkinje cell degeneration and lymphoid depletion. It was concluded that PHS caused marked patho-anatomical changes in all organs. The inflammatory changes observed suggest it as a model for PAH in humans.