title: Toxic shock-like syndrome in hens and its relationship to shell-less eggs.
abstract: Foreign materials were inserted into the hens' uteri and anti-inflammatory and immune suppressant drugs were used to determine possible causes of shell-less eggs. The presence of foreign shell-membranes and tampons in the uteri (shell glands) of hens caused a toxic shock-like syndrome ( TSLS ). Primary clinical signs were high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and death. The presence of other materials, including inflated rubber balloons, had no adverse affect on the hens. Calcium carbonate deposits occurred on the surface of the balloons but not on other material inserted into the uteri. Injection of anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive drugs did not increase shell weight in hens laying shell-less eggs. The hens' reproductive system was found to be sensitive in varying degrees to different types of foreign materials; thus, the avian female might serve as an animal model for studying toxic shock syndrome.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D002645:Chickens; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004528:Egg Shell; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary; D006801:Humans; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013630:Tampons, Surgical
chemical_list: D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011239:Prednisolone; C021322:prednisolone hemisuccinate