Analysis of tissue lesions and expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in broiler ascites syndrome

Broiler ascites syndrome (BAS), a hypoxia-driven metabolic disorder, causes significant economic losses in poultry production. This study aimed to evaluate the pathological changes in the lungs and liver of broiler chickens and the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF. HE, Masson and Van Gieson staining were used to observe histopathological changes in the lungs and liver, and molecular biology methods such as qPCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in the lungs and liver. The histopathological results revealed significant thickening and remodelling of the pulmonary artery wall in BAS broiler chickens; the boundaries of the vascular intima, media and adventitia were unclear; and there was a significant increase in the collagen fibre content around the arteries. Additionally, the hepatic cords were loosely arranged liver cords. The molecular biology results revealed that both the mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF-1α and VEGF were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the lungs and liver of AS broiler chickens. These findings establish an association between HIF-1α/VEGF dysregulation and BAS pathogenesis, providing a foundation for mechanistic investigation.