Avian Liver: The Forgotten Organ

Abstract

Despite having huge responsibilities in avian species, published reports on the influence of dietary factors and other possible constraints on the size, development and function of liver are limited. Consideration of the factors that could influence and alter liver function is therefore of critical relevance. In the current review, aspects of liver structure and function, and the influence of feed restriction, anti-nutritional factors, structural components and feed additives on liver are discussed. Effects of feed technology techniques such as thermal treatment and pelleting, feed particle size and whole grain feeding on the liver are also reviewed. A discussion of lipogenesis and lipid storage in poultry is presented to provide a better understanding and to differentiate the normal pathways of lipid metabolism from abnormal (i.e., disordered) pathways. The liver is the main site of fat synthesis in poultry, but under certain conditions, excessive fat can accumulate in the liver and cause problems. Factors contributing to the fatty liver syndrome are also examined.

Evaluation via Supervised Machine Learning of the Broiler Pectoralis Major and Liver Transcriptome in Association With the Muscle Myopathy Wooden Breast

“…The liver was considered as a tissue of importance related to WB due to the vast array of metabolic functions including the responsibility to synthesize, metabolize and excrete many molecules (Zaefarian et al, 2019). In the bird, 11% of all protein synthesis occurs in the liver which are then transported via systemic circulation to other tissues (Denbow, 2000).…”

Comparison of Dietary Kudzu Leaf Meal (Pueraria montana Var. lobata) and Alfalfa Meal Supplementation Effect on Broiler (Gallus gallus domesticus) Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Organ Parameters

“…al. [52] conducted extensive reviews of the liver and determined that liver weight was reduced from an increased inclusion rate of cellulose in the diet. This effect is potentially caused from an increased fiber content reducing liver lipid accumulation and plasma lipid content; however, this effect tends to be convoluted with determining if increased fiber content or decreased energy intake reduced liver lipid accumulation [52].…”

“…[52] conducted extensive reviews of the liver and determined that liver weight was reduced from an increased inclusion rate of cellulose in the diet. This effect is potentially caused from an increased fiber content reducing liver lipid accumulation and plasma lipid content; however, this effect tends to be convoluted with determining if increased fiber content or decreased energy intake reduced liver lipid accumulation [52]. Additionally, previous research has linked the reduction of liver weight to an increased secretion of bile, thus the increased metabolic activity suppressed tissue deposition and growth of the liver [52][53][54][55].…”

Osteocalcin prevents insulin resistance, hepatic inflammation and autophagy associated with high-fat diet induced fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome in aged laying hens

“…Hen liver plays a major role in the synthesis and metabolism of fat. In contrast to mammals, the synthesis of fat in birds is greater in the hepatic tissue and very limited in the adipose tissue [13]. In addition, commercial hens have been selected for high production and feed efficency, by which hen liver is more susceptible to metabolic disorder-induced injury compared with mammals.…”