[Dystrophic muscular fibers in the muscles of certain breeds of birds].

The occurrence of pathologically changed muscular fibers in some wild species of birds and in economically important domesticated species of birds is described. The hydrops of muscular fibers, necrosis and atrophy with connective tissue infiltration in muscular bundles were detected in breast and thigh muscles in wild birds, e. g. in raven, pigeon and pheasant. The same pathological processes were also found in domesticated species, e. g. in guinea fowl, less often in geese and duck. Their incidence in turkeys and laying types of fowl was more frequent, they were observed most often in muscles of broiler hens. Fission of muscular fibers, very thin, but also hypertrophic fibers and resorption of necrotic fibers were detected in hens besides the above changes. The described histological picture is confronted with the picture of hereditary myodystrophy in chickens.