Composition and histological observations of enlarged pancreases of chicks adapted to raw soybean meal diets.

Chicks fed raw soybean meal (RSBM) as a sole protein source developed a significantly enlarged pancreas as compared to chicks fed heated soybean meal. No difference in DNA, RNA and protein content was observed, but the number of acinar cells was significantly higher in pancreases of chicks fed RSBM, after 14 and 28 days of feeding. Histological and ultrastructural analyses revealed that the enlargement of the pancreas resulted both from the hyperplasmic increase in the number of acinar cells and from the dilution of the acini by intercellular connective tissue and the appearance of cytopathogenetic areas.