Experimental rickets in broilers: gross, microscopic, and radiographic lesions. I. Phosphorus deficiency and calcium excess.
Day-old broiler chicks were fed diets high in calcium or low in phosphorus for 30 days. Chicks in both groups had similar gross, microscopic, and radiographic lesions. At 2 weeks, the growth-plate degenerating hypertrophied zone (DHZ) and metaphyseal primary spongiosa were lengthened and decreased in radiopacity. Metaphyseal vessels extended to the growth-plate hypertrophied zone (HZ), and osteoid seams were widened. At 3 and 4 weeks, lesions were similar; however, folding fractures were common and cartilage columns of the metaphysis were thinned and replaced with increased woven bone.
D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002645:Chickens; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000473:pathology; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000172:deficiency*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011859:Radiography; D012279:Rickets / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D010758:Phosphorus