Uterine adenocarcinoma with transcoelomic metastases in breeder hens (Gallus domesticus)

Abstract

Hens involved in a Newcastle disease study were euthanased at regular intervals according to a designed protocol. Of these, 7.14%(n = 42) of the 82-week-old specific pathogen-free breeder hens were found to have well-delineated firm white to yellowish nodules of varying sizes in the abdominal cavity. Histologically, the nodules were identified as an adenocarcinoma originating in the uterus. Transcoelomic spread was evidenced by the presence of similar neoplastic cells embedded in the serosa and outer longitudinal muscle layer of the intestines as well as the liver.