Effect of levothyroxine on serum biochemistry and liver in chicks.

摘要

The effect of oral levothyroxine on serum biochemistry and liver histologywas evaluated in Ross broiler chicks. Two groups of 12 chicks each were given daily orallevothyroxine sodium 250 (12) or 500 μg/Kg at 14 days age for 25 days to inducehyperthyroidism. Compared with non-treated control (12) values, increased levothyroxinecorrelated with decreased triglyceride and cholesterol but increased ALT and AST. Basophiliccytoplasm and euchromatin nuclei were observed in hepatocytes of treated chicks, butirregular arrangement of hepatocytes and hepatic centrilobular necrosis was more evident inchicks given 500 ug/kg levothyroxine. Lymphopoiesis in hepatic parenchyma and vascularsmooth muscle hypertrophy were observed in treated birds. The findings suggest that 250ug/kg or more levothyroxin may induce hepatotoxicity in chicks.