Hepatic Hemosiderosis in Red-Spectacled Amazons (Amazona pretrei) and Correlation with Nutritional Aspects

Abstract

Alimentary habits of free-living Psittaciformes vary significantly among different species. Amazona pretrei is under risk of extinction and has very specific free-living dietary habits, which are based on Paraná pine seeds. Hemosiderosis is a pathologic process characterized by intracellular accumulation of iron without other evident lesions. It is associated with increased prevalence of infections, neoplasms, and hepatopathies. The purpose of this study was to quantify hepatic hemosiderin deposits in captive A. pretrei and verify their association with nutritional parameters. Liver samples were processed for histopathology and stained with Prussian blue. The sections were analyzed by computerized morphometry to quantify the hepatic hemosiderin deposits. The hepatic hemosiderosis rates showed positive correlation with age and time in captivity. These results suggest that the menus and commercial rations for Psittacidae must be carefully revised.

Diagnostic value of plasma biochemistry, haematology, radiography and endoscopic visualisation for hepatic disease in psittacine birds

“…Hepatic accumulations (hepatic lipidosis, haemosiderosis and vacuolation) occurred in 15 of 25 (60 per cent) psittaciforms, previously characterised as metabolic or nutritional disorders 19. Given the preponderance of inappropriate diets and hepatic accumulations, these findings are consistent with the literature that hepatic lipidosis and haemosiderosis are diseases of excess 27 28. High-energy diets and sedentary lifestyles predispose companion psittaciforms to hepatic lipidosis and obesity, particularly Amazon parrots 27.…”

Comparative morphometric evaluation of hepatic hemosiderosis in wild Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) infected with different Plasmodium spp. subgenera

“…congestion (p = 0.0182) and pneumonia severity (p = 0.0250) between Unidentified lineages vs. Huffia (Figure 2). Plasmodium-positive females presented significantly higher IHH values (17.53 ± 12.95%) than males (7.20 ± 4.25%; p = 0.041) (Figure 3), in contrast with findings in toucans and aracaris (Ramphastidae family) (CUBAS, 2008) and in red-spectacled amazons (Amazona pretrei) (Psittacidae family) (PEREIRA et al, 2010), who failed to observe correlation between the rate of hepatic hemosiderosis and sex. Hemosiderosis has been previously associated with egg production (GOTTDENKER et al, 2008), which could not have played a role in our findings based on the age and underdeveloped gonads observed in necropsy.…”

“…Hemosiderosis is the accumulation of iron in hepatic and splenic sinusoidal macrophages and hepatocytes without significant architectural, cellular, or functional alterations (LOWENSTEIN & MUNSON, 1999). Iron absorption is influenced by age, iron and health status, gastrointestinal conditions, the amount and chemical form of the iron ingested, and the amount and proportions of various other organic and inorganic components of the diet (CRISSEY et al, 2000;SHEPPARD & DIERENFELD, 2002;PEREIRA et al, 2010). Although there is no conclusive evidence that hepatic hemosiderosis has any clinical significance in birds, it has been associated with concurrent infections, neoplasia, parasitism, anemia, hepatopathies, intoxications, starvation, oil exposure, trauma, lead poisoning, and the physiological cycle (e.g., egg production and laying, migration, and molting) (CORK et al, 1995;GOTTDENKER et al, 2008;PEREIRA et al, 2010;KLASING et al, 2012).…”

Update on Iron Overload in Zoologic Species

“…41,42 This supports a working hypothesis that natural diets for which "sensitive" species have evolved are low in bioavailable iron leading to selection for enhanced iron uptake and storage. 54,68 Liver iron concentration in affected lories was 3500 to 7600 ppm ww (about 11,550 to 25,000 µg/g dw), comparable with LIC in mynahs. 16 Reports of ISD in psittacines are interesting because this diverse order contains both generalist and specialized feeders.…”

“…13,30,37,40 The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess hepatic and cardiac iron stores is an accepted modality in humans; however, limitations exist. 7,8,13,18,54,62,69 Analytic determination of LIC may be performed on fresh, frozen or formalin fixed biopsies or from deparaffinized samples retrieved from tissue blocks. 38,56 Liver iron concentration (LIC) may be assessed histologically or analytically.…”