Pathomorphological study of experimentally zinc intoxicated cockerels

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of excess zinc on the pathomorphological 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, 25000ppm and 35000ppm to group G1, G2 and G3, respectively, for a period of 12 weeks. The birds from each group were sacrificed at the end of the experimental trial for pathomorphological changes along with the estimation of residual zinc in bone and pancreas. Significant histopathological changes were noticed in liver, kidneys pancreas and gizzard along with depletion of lymphoid tissues in spleen and bursa; atrophy of testes, bursa, spleen, liver, pancreas and gizzard were also noticed. A dose dependent residual zinc accumulation was observed in bone and pancreas. This study confirms that, the high levels of zinc have an adverse effect on health and performance of the birds.