Pathological and biochemical characterizations of microcystin-LR-induced liver and kidney damage in chickens after acute exposure.

Cyanobacteria contains considerable amounts of protein and other nutritive materials and are considered to be high-quality protein source and feed additive for livestock and poultry. However, some species of cyanobacteria are also able to produce toxins, and exposure to these toxins represents health risks to animals. In the present study, pathological changes and biochemical responses were examined in the liver and kidney of the Chongren chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) after intraperitoneal (i.