Effect of Copper Toxicity on Lymphoid Organs in Broilers

The experiment was conducted to examine the effect of copper toxicity on lymphoid organs by experimental pathology andflow cytometry (FCM). 180 one-day-old Avian broilers were divided into three groups, and fed diets as follows: 1) Control(Cu 11.97 mg kg-1 diet), 2) Cu- toxic groupⅠ(Cu 650 mg kg-1) and 3) Cu- toxic groupⅡ(Cu 850 mg kg-1) for six weeks.Compared with the control, the growth index of the thymus, spleen and bursa of Fabricius were markedly reduced (P<0.05or P<0.01), the G0/G1 phase of cell cycles of the thymus, spleen and bursa of Fabricius was higher (P<0.05 or P<0.01), whilethe S phase and proliferating index were lower (P<0.05 or P<0.01) in both Cu-toxic group Ⅰ and Cu-toxic group Ⅱ. Theresults demonstrated that Cu toxicity seriously impaired the progression of lymphocytes from the G0/G1 phase to the Sphase, inhibited the growth and development of lymphoid organs.