Chemical studies of the blood, and histological studies of the heart of broiler chickens dying from acute death syndrome.

Comparison of the blood and hearts of birds dying from Acute Death Syndrome and of normal healthy birds from seven different broiler chicken flocks revealed no consistent differences. Marked changes in serum levels of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and glucose were noted to occur after death in birds dying from Acute Death Syndrome and in control birds. Cellular infiltrations, found in the hearts of birds dying from Acute Death Syndrome an in control birds, were considered to be normal lymphoid foci and foci of ectopic hemopoiesis.