Effect of Copper Toxicity on Lymphoid Organs in Ducklings

one-day-old Tianfu meat ducklings were divided into three groups, and fed on dietsas follows:(1)control (Cu 12.16 mg kg-1),(2) copper toxicⅠ(Cu 850 mg kg-1) and (3)copper toxicⅡ( Cu 1050 mg kg-1) for studies on effects of copper toxicity on lymphoidorgans in duckling with the methods of experimental pathology and flow cytometry (FCM).The weight and growth index of the thymus, spleen and bursa of Fabricius were markedlyreduced (P<0.05 or P<0.01) in both copper toxic groupⅠand Cu toxic group Ⅱ whencompared with control group. The G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle of the thymus, spleen andbursa of Fabricius was much higher, and S, G2+M phases lower in Cu toxic groupsⅠand Ⅱthan in the control group. There were lymphocyte degeneration and depletion of lymphoidorgans, and the reticular cells of spleen and bursa of Fabricius proliferated and thereticular cells of thymus were also degenerate and necrotic in Cu toxic groups. Theresults demonstrated that Cu toxicity seriously impaired the progression of lymphocytesfrom the G0/G1 phase to S phase, inhibited the development of lymphoid organs and causedmarked pathological injury in lymphoid organs. The results also showed that the effectof Cu toxicity on the primary lymphoid organs occurred stronger than on the secondarylymphoid organs. The effect of Cu toxicity was the greatest on the bursa of Fabricius,followed by the thymus, and then the spleen. Potential mechanisms underlying aforementionedobservation were also discussed.