Main Article Content
Abstract
Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) is a liver degeneration caused by excessive fat deposition in the liver and leading to sudden death in chickens. The main objective of this study is to describe and explain the etiology, pathogenesis, and macroscopic and microscopic pathological changes of the syndrome in chickens. This study began by collecting research articles published in reputable international journals and related websites, and then articles whose content was from previous years and was not recognized as reliable were excluded. The results of this review highlight that on macroscopic examination, the liver is usually large, pale, and friable. Microscopically, the hepatocytes are dilated, and their cytoplasm contains large amounts of intracellular fat. Therefore, it is concluded that the aforementioned syndrome has no cure, but can be prevented by proper farm management, and the only diagnostic method is to observe postmortem changes.
Keywords
Article Details
Copyright (c) 2025 Reserved for Kabul University

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
References
- Ali, H. I. (2023). Clinical and Pathological Impact of Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome in Caged Hens Farms in Diyala Province. 27(1), 30–38. Link
- Branton, S. L., Bearson, S. M. D., Bearson, B. L., Maslin, W. R., Collier, S. D., Evans, J. D., Miles, D. M., & Pharr, G. T. (2003). Mycoplasma gallinarum infection in commercial layers and onset of fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome. Avian Diseases, 47(2), 458–462. https://doi.org/10.1637/0005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1637/0005-2086(2003)047[0458:MGIICL]2.0.CO;2
- Butler, E. J. (1976). Fatty Liver Diseases in the Domestic Fowl A Review. Avian Pathology, 5(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/03079457608418164 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03079457608418164
- Crespo, R., & Shivaprasad, H. . (2013). Developmental, metabolic, and other noninfectious disorders. In D. E. Swayne, J. R. Glisson, L. R. McDougald, L. K. Nolan, D. L. Suarez, & V. Nair (Eds.), Diseases of Poultry (13th ed., Issue 350, pp. 1233–1270). Wily-blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119371199.ch30 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119421481.ch30
- Dey, S., Pakhira, M. C., Batabyal, K., Isore, D. P., & Samanta, I. (2018). Concurrent Occurrence of Fatty Liver Haemorrhagic Syndrome (FLHS) and Colisepticaemia in a Broiler Breeder Flock. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 7(9), 185–189. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.709.023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.709.023
- Diaz, G. J., Squires, E. J., & Julian, R. J. (1999). The use of selected plasma enzyme activities for the diagnosis of fatty liver-hemorrhagic syndrome in laying hens. Avian Diseases, 43(4), 768–773. https://doi.org/10.2307/1592746 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1592746
- Emami, N. K., Jung, U., Voy, B., & Dridi, S. (2021). Radical response: Effects of heat stress-induced oxidative stress on lipid metabolism in the avian liver. Antioxidants, 10(1), 35. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10010035 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10010035
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2019, August 7). Backyard poultry production is a great source of home-based income for women in rural Afghanistan. Link
- Harms, R. H., Roland, D. A. Sr., & Simpson, C. F. (1976). Experimentally induced “fatty liver syndrome” condition in laying hens. Poultry Science, 56(3), 517–520. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.0560517 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.0560517
- Hy-Line International. (2020). Hy-Line Brown commercial management guide. Link
- Julian, R. J. (2005). Production and growth related disorders and other metabolic diseases of poultry - A review. Veterinary Journal, 169(3), 350–369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.04.015 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.04.015
- Kleyn, F. J., & Ciacciariello, M. (2021). Future demands of the poultry industry: Will we meet our commitments sustainably in developed and developing economies? World’s Poultry Science Journal, 77(2), 267–278. https://doi.org/10.1080/00439339.2021.1904314 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00439339.2021.1904314
- Kumar, Y. R., Sandhayarani, K., Ramesh, G., Mahesh, B., Sawale, G. K., & Lakshman, M. (2019). Fatty Liver Haemorrhagic Syndrome (FLHS) in Broilers. Journal of Animal Research, 9(6), 879–882. https://doi.org/10.30954/2277-940x.06.2019.13 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30954/2277-940X.06.2019.13
- Kumari, A., Tripathi, U. K., & Boro, P. (2016). Metabolic disease of broiler birds and its management : A review. International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, 1(3), 15–16. Link
- Lin, C. W., Huang, T. W., Peng, Y. J., Lin, Y. Y., Mersmann, H. J., & Ding, S. T. (2021). A novel chicken model of fatty liver disease induced by high cholesterol and low choline diets. Poultry Science, 100(3), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.11.046 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.11.046
- Merck Veterinary Manual. (2024). Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome in poultry. In Merck Veterinary Manual. Retrieved July 15, 2025, from Link
- Melnyk, A. Y., Sakara, V. S., Vovkotrub, N. V., Kharchenko, A. V., & Bilyk, B. P. (2021). Metabolic disorders in poultry (review). Scientific Messenger of LNU of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies, Series: Veterinary Sciences, 23(103), 125–135. https://doi.org/10.32718/nvlvet10317 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32718/nvlvet10317
- Mousavi, S. S. (2019). Aviculture; A growing industry. Madanyatdaily. Link
- Samadi, A., & Zadran, N. (2023). Evaluation of Practiced Biosecurity Measures in Selected Broiler Farms across Kabul Province, Afghanistan. Journal of Advanced Veterinary Research, 13(2), 246–251. Link
- Sangary, M., & Mohmand, W. (2024). Prevalence of Common Diseases in Kabul City Broiler Chicken Farms through the Evaluation of Macroscopic Pathological Changes. 2(4), 36–47. https://doi.org/10.62810/jnsr.v2i4.102 DOI: https://doi.org/10.62810/jnsr.v2i4.102
- Shini, A., Shini, S., & Bryden, W. L. (2019). Fatty liver haemorrhagic syndrome occurrence in laying hens: impact of production system. Avian Pathology, 48(1), 25–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/03079457.2018.1538550 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03079457.2018.1538550
- The World bank. (2018). Unlocking the Potential of Agriculture for Afghanistan’s Growth. Link
- Trott, K. A., Giannitti, F., Rimoldi, G., Hill, A., Woods, L., Barr, B., Anderson, M., & Mete, A. (2014). Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome in the Backyard Chicken: A Retrospective Histopathologic Case Series. Veterinary Pathology, 51(4), 787–795. https://doi.org/10.1177/0300985813503569 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0300985813503569
- Zhu, L., Liao, R., Xiao, C., Zhu, G., Wu, N., Tu, Y., & Yang, C. (2020). Potential Biomarker for Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome in Laying Hens. Journal of World’s Poultry Research, 10(4), 545–555. https://doi.org/10.36380/jwpr.2020.62 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36380/jwpr.2020.62
- Zrawar, M., Rasikh, M., Danishyar, E., & Motmain, Z. (2023). Study of Production Performance and Economic of Broiler Farms in Parwan Afghanistan. Journal for Research in Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, 2(5), 108–112. https://doi.org/10.55544/jrasb.2.5.18 DOI: https://doi.org/10.55544/jrasb.2.5.18
References
Ali, H. I. (2023). Clinical and Pathological Impact of Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome in Caged Hens Farms in Diyala Province. 27(1), 30–38. Link
Branton, S. L., Bearson, S. M. D., Bearson, B. L., Maslin, W. R., Collier, S. D., Evans, J. D., Miles, D. M., & Pharr, G. T. (2003). Mycoplasma gallinarum infection in commercial layers and onset of fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome. Avian Diseases, 47(2), 458–462. https://doi.org/10.1637/0005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1637/0005-2086(2003)047[0458:MGIICL]2.0.CO;2
Butler, E. J. (1976). Fatty Liver Diseases in the Domestic Fowl A Review. Avian Pathology, 5(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/03079457608418164 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03079457608418164
Crespo, R., & Shivaprasad, H. . (2013). Developmental, metabolic, and other noninfectious disorders. In D. E. Swayne, J. R. Glisson, L. R. McDougald, L. K. Nolan, D. L. Suarez, & V. Nair (Eds.), Diseases of Poultry (13th ed., Issue 350, pp. 1233–1270). Wily-blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119371199.ch30 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119421481.ch30
Dey, S., Pakhira, M. C., Batabyal, K., Isore, D. P., & Samanta, I. (2018). Concurrent Occurrence of Fatty Liver Haemorrhagic Syndrome (FLHS) and Colisepticaemia in a Broiler Breeder Flock. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 7(9), 185–189. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.709.023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.709.023
Diaz, G. J., Squires, E. J., & Julian, R. J. (1999). The use of selected plasma enzyme activities for the diagnosis of fatty liver-hemorrhagic syndrome in laying hens. Avian Diseases, 43(4), 768–773. https://doi.org/10.2307/1592746 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1592746
Emami, N. K., Jung, U., Voy, B., & Dridi, S. (2021). Radical response: Effects of heat stress-induced oxidative stress on lipid metabolism in the avian liver. Antioxidants, 10(1), 35. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10010035 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10010035
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2019, August 7). Backyard poultry production is a great source of home-based income for women in rural Afghanistan. Link
Harms, R. H., Roland, D. A. Sr., & Simpson, C. F. (1976). Experimentally induced “fatty liver syndrome” condition in laying hens. Poultry Science, 56(3), 517–520. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.0560517 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.0560517
Hy-Line International. (2020). Hy-Line Brown commercial management guide. Link
Julian, R. J. (2005). Production and growth related disorders and other metabolic diseases of poultry - A review. Veterinary Journal, 169(3), 350–369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.04.015 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2004.04.015
Kleyn, F. J., & Ciacciariello, M. (2021). Future demands of the poultry industry: Will we meet our commitments sustainably in developed and developing economies? World’s Poultry Science Journal, 77(2), 267–278. https://doi.org/10.1080/00439339.2021.1904314 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00439339.2021.1904314
Kumar, Y. R., Sandhayarani, K., Ramesh, G., Mahesh, B., Sawale, G. K., & Lakshman, M. (2019). Fatty Liver Haemorrhagic Syndrome (FLHS) in Broilers. Journal of Animal Research, 9(6), 879–882. https://doi.org/10.30954/2277-940x.06.2019.13 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30954/2277-940X.06.2019.13
Kumari, A., Tripathi, U. K., & Boro, P. (2016). Metabolic disease of broiler birds and its management : A review. International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, 1(3), 15–16. Link
Lin, C. W., Huang, T. W., Peng, Y. J., Lin, Y. Y., Mersmann, H. J., & Ding, S. T. (2021). A novel chicken model of fatty liver disease induced by high cholesterol and low choline diets. Poultry Science, 100(3), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.11.046 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.11.046
Merck Veterinary Manual. (2024). Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome in poultry. In Merck Veterinary Manual. Retrieved July 15, 2025, from Link
Melnyk, A. Y., Sakara, V. S., Vovkotrub, N. V., Kharchenko, A. V., & Bilyk, B. P. (2021). Metabolic disorders in poultry (review). Scientific Messenger of LNU of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies, Series: Veterinary Sciences, 23(103), 125–135. https://doi.org/10.32718/nvlvet10317 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32718/nvlvet10317
Mousavi, S. S. (2019). Aviculture; A growing industry. Madanyatdaily. Link
Samadi, A., & Zadran, N. (2023). Evaluation of Practiced Biosecurity Measures in Selected Broiler Farms across Kabul Province, Afghanistan. Journal of Advanced Veterinary Research, 13(2), 246–251. Link
Sangary, M., & Mohmand, W. (2024). Prevalence of Common Diseases in Kabul City Broiler Chicken Farms through the Evaluation of Macroscopic Pathological Changes. 2(4), 36–47. https://doi.org/10.62810/jnsr.v2i4.102 DOI: https://doi.org/10.62810/jnsr.v2i4.102
Shini, A., Shini, S., & Bryden, W. L. (2019). Fatty liver haemorrhagic syndrome occurrence in laying hens: impact of production system. Avian Pathology, 48(1), 25–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/03079457.2018.1538550 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03079457.2018.1538550
The World bank. (2018). Unlocking the Potential of Agriculture for Afghanistan’s Growth. Link
Trott, K. A., Giannitti, F., Rimoldi, G., Hill, A., Woods, L., Barr, B., Anderson, M., & Mete, A. (2014). Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome in the Backyard Chicken: A Retrospective Histopathologic Case Series. Veterinary Pathology, 51(4), 787–795. https://doi.org/10.1177/0300985813503569 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0300985813503569
Zhu, L., Liao, R., Xiao, C., Zhu, G., Wu, N., Tu, Y., & Yang, C. (2020). Potential Biomarker for Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic Syndrome in Laying Hens. Journal of World’s Poultry Research, 10(4), 545–555. https://doi.org/10.36380/jwpr.2020.62 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36380/jwpr.2020.62
Zrawar, M., Rasikh, M., Danishyar, E., & Motmain, Z. (2023). Study of Production Performance and Economic of Broiler Farms in Parwan Afghanistan. Journal for Research in Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, 2(5), 108–112. https://doi.org/10.55544/jrasb.2.5.18 DOI: https://doi.org/10.55544/jrasb.2.5.18