The histopathology of degenerative hip disease in male breeding turkeys

Age-related degenerative changes are present in the antitrochanteric cartilage of male turkeys at 1 year of age. More severe change involved areas of matrix necrosis and fissures which were even detected in antitrochanters which appeared superficially normal. Superficial matrix necrosis produced cartilage surface changes which were observed in fresh specimens before histological preparation. Degenerative hip disease with stages of cartilage flap formation and osteoarthrosis showed a pronounced matrix necrosis of both hyaline and fibrecartilage. Matrix failure may represent a response to excessive forces which the intercellular collagen cannot withstand. In male turkeys, excessive loading could provide repetitive trauma of a magnitude which produces irreparable joint damage.