Physeal clefts and disturbed endochondral ossification in broiler fowls

Histopathological studies have been conducted on 35 physes from 19 broiler type fowls of different ages in order to elucidate the pathogenesis of dyschondroplasias. Findings support the suggestion that different forms of dyschondroplasia occur in broiler fowls and that histopathological studies are required if each is to be distinguished. It is concluded that physeal clefts produce one form of dyschondroplasia when epiphyseal blood vessels are occluded. A unifying concept is proposed that implicates epiphyseal and/or metaphyseal vascular disturbances in the differing morphology of some lesions, at least. This concept is supported by findings in this and other studies and is proposed as a possible explanation for morphological differences between avian dyschondroplasia and mammalian osteochondrosis.