A histological study of post-mortem specimens taken from dead-in-shell ostrich (Struthio camelus) embryos

The current study investigated the histology of various thoraco-visceral tissues of 85 dead-in-shell ostrich embryos. The average embryo length was 16.3 cm and weight 734.2 g. The average egg dimensions were: a) Smaller class - 1,560 g weight, 155.1 cm length, and 128.4 cm width; and b) Larger class - 1,592 g weight, 156.1 cm length, and 129.5 cm width. There were visible numerous lymphocytic infiltrations in the kidney cortex. No patho-morphological alterations were observed in the trachea or tongue. The gizzard had lymphocytic infiltrations and myopathy. The heart muscle showed anasarca and myopathy.  We suggest a genetic element possibly associated with a nutritional imbalance and a microbial spoilage of eggs that is predisposing to the dead-in-shell embryos on the farm.