Muscle atrophy induced in broiler chicks by parts of Senna occidentalis seeds.

摘要

Four groups of seven 1-day-old Hubbard broilers were fed a commercial diet containing 1% of the whole seed or parts of S. occidentalis [Cassia occidentalis] seeds from birth until 22 days of life. Seven birds fed a S. occidentalis-free diet were controls. Severe clinical signs and reduced body weight were observed in birds that received the external tegument of the seed, whereas no adverse effects were observed in birds that received the whole seed or other parts of the seed. Histological and morphometric studies showed an intense muscle fibre atrophy (both type 1 and type 2 fibres were affected) in the group that received 1% external tegument. It is suggested that this study may help to identify the substance(s) in the external tegument of S. occidentalis seeds which are involved in this pathological process.