Factors affecting liver health in layers and breeders
Published:August 9, 2022
By:Plusvet Animal Health
In a previous article, we explained why a well-functioning liver is key for the productivity of layers and breeders. In this blog, we make a list of the main factors impairing liver health.
Nutritional origin
High energy diets with a high calorie/protein ratio, that lead to fatty liver disease. We made a video explaining the reasons and consequences of fatty liver that can be watched here.
A deficiency of choline. methionine or biotin is also related to lesions in the liver.
Heavy metals, certain pharmaceutical products, and other harmful substances are also toxic to the hepatic tissues.
Infections
During coli septicemia, the liver has a greenish shade, and it is mottled with many small necrotic foci.
Greyish-whitish nodes are a sign of an infection by Salmonella enterica Pullorum (Pullorum disease). When the infection is caused by Salmonella enterica Gallinarum (Fowl typhoid), the liver is enlarged and greenish, sometimes mottled with multiple necrotic points.
During acute cases of necrotic enteritis, the liver appears congested, with a black or dark red color.
When the bird is affected by viral inclusion body hepatitis, the liver is enlarged, with yellowish color and crumbly texture.
Layers and breeders affected by hepatitis-splenomegaly (HS) syndrome, caused by avian hepatitis E virus, show enlarged livers.
Other microorganisms that can cause infections in the liver are Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Campylobacter, Pasteurella multocida, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sp., Clostridium colinum, spirochetes, Marek’s disease virus, Histomonas, etc.
Management /environment
In birds affected by ascites, the liver shows increased blood circulation and possible hemorrhages.
Heat stress is one of the factors predisposing to fatty liver disease.
If birds do not fast for 12 h or more before slaughter, the color of the liver may appear abnormally light.
It is indicated to improve the functioning of the respiratory system and to mitigate heat stress in birds, ruminants, pigs and rabbits of all ages. It can also be nebulized in the farm environment.