Cataracts and optic nerve hypoplasia in turkey poults

• Published in: Avian diseases 1988-07, Vol.32 (3), p.469-477
• Main Authors: Barr, B.C, Murphy, C.J, Ghazikhanian, G.Y, Bellhorn, R.W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ANIMALES JOVENES; Animals; CATARACT; Cataract - pathology; Cataract - veterinary; CATARACTE; Cataracts; CATARATAS; DINDON; ENFERMEDADES (OJOS); Epithelial cells; EYE DISEASES; Eyes; Ganglia; HIPOPLASIA; HISTOPATHOLOGY; HYPOPLASIA; HYPOPLASIE; JEUNE ANIMAL; Lens Diseases - pathology; Lens Diseases - veterinary; Lesions; MALADIE DE L'OEIL; NERF; NERVES; NERVIOS; Neuroglia; Optic nerve; Optic Nerve - pathology; Optic Nerve Diseases - pathology; Optic Nerve Diseases - veterinary; PAVO; Poultry Diseases - pathology; Poults; Retina; Retinal Diseases - pathology; Retinal Diseases - veterinary; Retinal Ganglion Cells - pathology; RETINOPATHY; TURKEYS; YOUNG ANIMALS
• ISSN: 0005-2086; 1938-4351
• DOI: 10.2307/1590913

Newly hatched commercial turkey poults culled because of grossly visible cataracts were studied. A total of 43 affected and 23 unaffected control poults at various ages were necropsied, and the ocular changes in affected poults were compared with those of agedmatched controls. Affected poults had consistent cataracts coupled with a marked depletion in retinal inner plexiform, ganglion cell, and optic nerve fiber layers, with a resultant reduction in the size of the optic nerves. Lesions were seen in 1-day-old poults. Lens changes included microphakia and lens fiber degeneration throughout the lens, with nuclear liquefaction. The depletion in the numbers of retinal ganglion cells did not appear to progress over several weeks time. The ganglion cell depletion was not uniform within the retina. The cause for these ocular changes is unknown. /// Se estudiaron pavitos comerciales recién nacidos desechados debido a la apariencia visible de cataratas. Se realizó necropsia en un total de 43 pavitos afectados y 23 no afectados. La apariencia ocular de los pavitos afectados fue comparada con los controles. Los pavitos afectados mostraban consistentemente las cataratas junto con una marcada disminución de las capas plexiforme interna de la retina, células ganglionares y las fibras del nervio óptico, resultando en una reducción del tamaño de este último. Las lesiones fueron observadas en pavitos de un día de edad. Los cambios observados en el cristalino incluyeron microfaquia y degeneración de las fibras del cristalino con licuefacción nuclear. La disminución del número de células ganglionares retinales aparentemente no progresó durante varias semanas. La disminución de las células ganglionares no fue uniforme dentro de la retina. La causa de estos cambios oculares es desconocida.