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1 June 2004 Successful Reduction of Hepatocellular Hemosiderin Content by Dietary Modification in Toco Toucans (Ramphastos toco) With Iron-Storage Disease
Amber V. Drews, Sharon P. Redrobe, Janet C. Patterson-Kane
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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a reduction in dietary iron concentration can result in significant decreases in hepatocellular hemosiderin content in toucans with iron-storage disease. We studied 2 adult toco toucans (Ramphastos toco) previously diagnosed with iron-storage disease. Liver biopsy specimens were taken before lowering dietary iron levels to <100 mg/kg on a dry-matter basis and taken again 8 months later. One bird died from airsacculitis at 12 months, and a postmortem specimen was also analyzed. Computerized image analysis of the specimens showed significant reductions (P < .001) in hepatocellular hemosiderin content over this period. Computerized image analysis is a valid means of quantifying relative iron content in serial liver biopsy specimens and can be used to monitor response to dietary iron reductions in birds with iron-storage disease. The significant relative reduction in hepatocellular iron content in these 2 toucans with iron-storage disease, in response to dietary modification alone, is encouraging. More work is required to determine whether dietary iron levels can be safely reduced still further, as well as whether a greater effect can be obtained by instituting such modifications for other toucans before clinically significant liver damage has occurred.

Amber V. Drews, Sharon P. Redrobe, and Janet C. Patterson-Kane "Successful Reduction of Hepatocellular Hemosiderin Content by Dietary Modification in Toco Toucans (Ramphastos toco) With Iron-Storage Disease," Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery 18(2), 101-105, (1 June 2004). https://doi.org/10.1647/2003-013
Published: 1 June 2004
KEYWORDS
Avian
hemochromatosis
hemosiderin
image analysis
iron-storage disease
Ramphastidae
Ramphastos toco
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