HEPATIC PROTOPORPHYRIN ACCUMULATION IN A BROILER CHICKEN

Hepatocellular accumulation and biliary excretion of protoporphyrin in a 6-week-old chicken are described. The affected liver was grossly da rk gray to black. Histologically, hepatocytes, bile canaliculi, and bi le-duct lumina contained dark-brown granules. These protoporphyrin pig ment accumulations were brightly birefringent under polarized light. T he ultrastructural appearance of granules revealed hair-like crystals in a radial arrangement. Extracted levels of protoporphyrin in the aff ected liver were determined to be 630 mug per gram of wet (frozen) liv er. Spectrofluorometric scans of liver extracts and sedimented crystal s were characteristic of protoporphyrin.