Further studies on collateral ligaments of knee and intertarsal joints in domestic fowl.

Collateral ligament attachments in distal femora and distal tibiotarsi were examined in broilers on ad libitum and restricted feeding and in laying strain fowls fed ad libitum. Histopathological studies revealed morphological changes in ligaments of ad libitum-fed broilers which were less apparent or absent in other birds examined. One such change was loss of crimp pattern in collagen bundles of ligaments, which suggested that structural derangement had occurred. Chondroid metaplasia and foci of hyaline cartilage were observed in ligaments of ad libitum-fed broilers and may result from tissue ischaemia. Similarities were noted between ligament attachments in broilers and Osgood-Schlatter disease in man; lesions in broilers may well have a similar aetiology. It is concluded that although feed restriction restores some semblance of normality in broiler ligaments, the propensity for abnormality remains and becomes apparent in heavier birds. Such reasoning casts doubt on the wisdom of modern broiler breeding practice where feed restriction can mask genotypic predisposition to clinical disease.