Hepatic lipidosis: Liver characteristics and acute phase proteins in affected turkeys

Prenatal Exposition to Different Immunosuppressive Protocols Results in Vacuolar Degeneration of Hepatocytes

Immunosuppressive drugs are essential for transplant recipients, since they prolong proper function of graft; however, they affect the morphology and function of organs, including liver. One commonly observed alteration in hepatocytes is vacuolar degeneration. Numerous medications are contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding, mostly due to a lack of data concerning their advert effects. The aim of the current study was to compare the effects of prenatal exposition to different protocols of immunosuppressants on vacuolar degeneration in the hepatocytes of livers of rats. Thirty-two livers of rats with usage of digital analysis of the images were examined. Area, perimeter, axis length, eccentricity and circularity regarding vacuolar degeneration were analysed. The most prominent vacuolar degeneration in hepatocytes in the aspects of presence, area and perimeter was observed in rats exposed to tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and glucocorticoids, and cyclosporine A, everolimus with glucocorticoids.This is the first study that demonstrates the results of the influence of multidrug immnunosuppression distributed in utero on the hepatic tissue of offspring.

Hepatic lipidosis in fattening turkeys: A review

The conditions on turkey fattening farms, including management, housing, and feeding, have been constantly improved recently in favour of animal health. Many studies deal scientifically with poultry health. However, specifically concerning liver health, there are still open questions regarding the influence of dietary factors on the metabolism and function of the liver. Consideration of the factors that could influence and alter liver metabolism is therefore of critical relevance. The liver, as a major metabolic organ, is the main site of fat synthesis in turkeys. Under certain conditions, fat can excessively accumulate in the liver and adversely affect the birds’ health. The so-called hepatic lipidosis (HL) in fattening turkeys has been known for years. This disease has unacceptable economic and animal welfare impacts, with high animal losses up to 15% within only a few days. To date, little is known about the causes and the metabolic changes in fattening turkeys leading to HL despite the increasing focus on health management and animal welfare. To understand what is different in turkeys compared to other species, it is necessary to discuss the metabolism of the liver in more detail, including HL-associated gross and microscopic lesions. In the current review, aspects of liver structure and lipid metabolism with special regard to lipogenesis are explained to discuss all dietary factors attributing to the development and prevention of HL. As part of the prevention of the HL, dietetics measures can be helpful in the future.