Omparative Histomorphological Studies of Liver of Gallus Gallus Domesticus and Reference Data of homo sapiens

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the histological structures of the liver in Gallus gallus domesticus (broiler chicken) and Homo sapiens (humans) to identify species-specific differences and similarities relevant to biomedical and veterinary research. Five broiler chickens were reared for seven weeks, sacrificed, and their livers harvested for histological analysis using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining. Human liver histology was referenced from standard atlases. Morphometric analysis revealed the broiler liver’s right lobe (29.41 ± 8.24 g) was larger than the left (21.01 ± 7.28 g), while the human liver, weighing ~1.5 kg, exhibited a four-lobed structure. Histologically, both species shared hepatocytes, portal triads, and central veins, but broiler livers lacked distinct hexagonal lobulation, showing irregular hepatocyte arrangements and wider sinusoids, whereas human livers displayed radial hepatocyte cords and more defined lobulation. Functionally, the broiler liver was specialized for rapid growth and fat digestion, with limited detoxification capacity, while the human liver supported broader metabolic and detoxification roles, including iron and vitamin B12 storage. Anatomically, the broiler liver’s two-lobed, mid-abdominal placement contrasted with the human liver’s sub-diaphragmatic, four-lobed design. These findings highlight structural adaptations reflecting species-specific metabolic demands, supporting the use of broilers as models for studying fat metabolism while cautioning their use in detoxification studies due to enzymatic differences. This research enhances understanding of hepatic histology, with implications for poultry health management and translational research.