Histopathology of the chick pancreas following pancreatic duct ligation

Ligation of the ventral pancreatic ducts of day-old chicks resulted in atrophy of the pancreatic acini and interstitial fibrosis. The pancreatic histopathology was identical to that seen in mammals with pancreatic duct obstruction and also to that seen in stunting syndrome of broiler chickens. It is suggested that the pathogenesis of the pancreatic lesions seen in stunting syndrome may be due to pancreatic duct obstruction.