Effects of feeding polychlorinated biphenyls to broiler cockerels in three dietary regimes

Polychlorinated biphenyls (Aroclor 1242 and 1254) were fed at 20 p.p.m. to hybrid broiler cockerels between one and nine weeks of age in three dietary variations. The Aroclors did not affect growth or feed efficiency and no consistent histopathological lesions could be attributed to them. There was a low incidence of hydropericardium in birds receiving Aroclor 1254. Fatty liver was observed in some birds receiving Aroclor 1242 and a single bird receiving this PCB exhibited liver necrosis. Moderate increases in liver weight and mild decreases in the relative weight of the spleen were attributable to PCB.