MUSCLE DEGENERATION IN CHICKS CAUSED BY SENNA-OCCIDENTALIS SEEDS

Acute intoxication with Senna occidentalis seeds was studied in chicks . Seven-day-old chicks were fed ground dried seeds of this plant mixed with regular chicken ration at a concentration of 4% by weight for 15 days. Feed intake and body weight were markedly affected and a high l evel of lethality was observed. Necropsy examination of chicks from th e experimental group revealed paleness and atrophy of thoracic muscles . Degenerative and necrotic fibres were observed in skeletal muscle by histological examination. Muscle histochemistry showed accumulation o f lipids and numerous acid phosphatase-positive muscle fibres. Electro n microscopy revealed atrophic muscle fibres, lipid storage, dilatatio n of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and abnormal mitochondria.