Induction of Fatty Liver-Hemorrhagic Syndrome in Laying Hens by Exogenous b-Estradiol

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Abstract
I.m. administration of exogenous .beta.-estradiol (E2) every 4 or 5 days (5.0 or 7.5 mg E2/kg body wt) induced fatty liver-hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) in Rhode Island Red (RIR) and White Leghorn (WL) hens. RIR hens exhibited ataxia and opisthotonus and 30% died from hepatic hemorrhage within 14 days. No WL birds similarly treated for 32 days died or showed neurologic disorder, indicating a major breed difference in response to exogenous E2. Liver lipid, incidence of liver hemorrhage and plasma volume increased as a direct result of E2 injection. Inclusion of 6% oat hulls in the diet significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the magnitude of these physiological responses.