Effect of Urea molasses mineral block (UMMB) on nutrient utilization in Deoni bullocks under sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) stover based feeding system

The present postmortem study investigated the nature of the pulmonary lesions in sheep affected with sheep pox virus. Grossly, typical nodular lesions were dispersed in the lung tissue. Histopathologically, the nodular lesions were characterized by interstitial pneumonia. Proliferation and desquamation of the alveolar and bronchiolar epithelial cells along with perivascular lymphoid aggregation and peribronchiolar lymphoid hyperplasia was a prominent feature. Proliferative bronchiolitis and alveolitis were also observed giving the parenchyma appearance of a gland-like structure. Histochemistry demonstrated disruption and disorientation of elastic fibres in the affected areas. Hyperplasic bronchial epithelium and glandular cells were positive for acid mucopolysaccharides where as alveolar wall was positive for neutral mucopolysaccharides. No mast cell reaction was evident in and around the lesions. The results of this study showed that sheep pox virus induces marked proliferation of type II pneumocytes, bronchiolar epithelial cells and lung lesions in diseased sheep were mainly proliferative, which is characteristic of interstitial pneumonia.