Page 24 - Think Grain Think Feed - April'25

www.benisonmedia.com ARTICLE d. Metabolization of Excess calories, mainly from stressors like confinement

Think Grain Think Feed - Volume 11 | Issue 6 | April 2025

Quebbemann, 1987).
and high temperatures make
carbohydrates and fats, lead
to obesity and liver
caged birds more
minerals and vitamins:
The liver stores fat-
liver soft and prone to
at higher risk, even under
soluble vitamins (A, D, E,
damage and sudden death.
ideal conditions.
K), vitamin B12, and enlargement, making the susceptible. Older hens are
minerals like copper and An improper protein-to- Mycotoxins
iron. It also participates energy ratio worsens fat Mycotoxins are toxic
in vitamin D3activation buildup by limiting metabolites from molds
and stores minerals lipoprotein synthesis needed contaminating feed grains,
released from for fat transport out of the posing serious risks to liver
erythrocyte breakdown liver. Nutrient deficiencies, health. Hepatotoxic
for reuse (Akers et al. such as in calcium, further mycotoxins like aflatoxin B1
2013). impair liver metabolism. and ochratoxin impair
Optimizing macronutrients,
e. Detoxification: The liver detoxification and
supplementing amino acids,
transforms endogenous metabolism, causing liver
vitamins, bioactive
and exogenous fat- enlargement, fatty
compounds, and modulating
soluble toxins—such as degeneration, necrosis, and
gut microbiota with
pesticides, heavy metals, irreversible damage (Ralco
probiotics and prebiotics
drugs, and metabolic Agriculture, 2023). Chronic
help maintain liver health
waste—into more water- exposure results in pale,
and prevent FLS (Borda-
soluble forms for brittle livers, decreased
Molina et al., 2025; Ciurescu
excretion via the kidneys productivity, and
et al., 2020).
and gall bladder. Kupffer histopathological findings
cells further protect Fatty liver such as hepatocyte necrosis,
birds by phagocytosing Excessive fat accumulation in bile duct hyperplasia, and
blood-borne microbes. the liver, often linked to inflammation (PMC, 2024).
Challenges to Poultry Liver nutrient imbalances and Additionally, mycotoxins
Health metabolic disorders, can lead suppress immunity and
to various clinical signs. intestinal health. Ochratoxin
The health of the poultry
Affected birds commonly induces oxidative stress,
liver is paramount to the
exhibit obesity, pale or while trichothecenes
overall well being and
shrunken combs with promote apoptosis; their
productivity of birds.
dandruff-like flakes, dull or combined effects exacerbate
However, various
discolored feathers, and liver damage.
challenges—primarily poor
lethargy.
nutrition, mycotoxin Infections
exposure, and Fatty liver haemorrhagic Spotty Liver Disease:
infections—pose significant syndrome (FLHS) Caused by Campylobacter
threats to liver function and FLHS primarily affects caged hepaticus, this condition
contribute to metabolic layer hens during peak affects both free-range and
disorders. production. It is marked by caged systems. It is identified
Poor Nutrition sudden death, liver rupture, by white liver spots, reduced
hemorrhage, and massive fat
Nutrition critically influences egg production, and
accumulation in the liver and increased mortality (Ralco
poultry liver health.
abdominal cavity (Crespo et
Imbalanced diets in protein, Agriculture, 2023).
al., 2003). Overfeeding
energy, and essential Viral Inclusion Body
carbohydrates, especially
nutrients can cause Fatty Hepatitis (IBH):
corn, is a leading cause.
Liver Syndrome (FLS), Caused by avian
Backyard chickens may be
especially in high-producing adenoviruses, IBH primarily
less affected due to
laying hens on high-energy affects broilers aged 3–8
increased exercise. However,
diets with limited exercise. weeks. It leads to sudden
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