Effect of age and strain on haematological and gasometric parameters in selected and non-selected broiler chickens

This investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effect of age and strain on haematological and gasometric parameters in selected and non-selected broiler chickens. Forty selected and 10 nonselected male broiler chickens were used. Blood samples were withdrawn at 21 and 42 days of age, and haematological parameters were determined including (red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Ht), mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)) and gasometric pH, partial pressure of oxgen (p 0 2) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pC02) were determined. The results showed that almost all studied parameters are affected by broiler strain and age. Selected broiler shown lower red blood cell (RBC) count and higher mean cell volume (MCV) at 21 days of age, when compared to that of 42 day old animals, and an inverse relation was verified by non-selected broiler. These data suggest that selected broiler chickens could have higher sensitivity to alterations in pulmonary rheological parameters at early age, and triggering the ascite’s syndrome.Objetivou-se investigar o efeito de idade e linhagem sobreparâmetros hematológicos e gasométricos de frangos selecionados e não selecionados. Foram utilizados somente frangos machos, sendo 40 selecionados e 10 não-selecionados. Amostras de sangue foram colhidas aos 21 e 42 dias de idade e determinados os parâmetros hematológicos (eritrócito, leucócito, hemoglobina, hematócrito, volume globular médio, hemoglobina globular média e concentração de hemoglobina no eritrócito), e os parâmetros gasométricos (pH, pressão parcial de oxigênio e pressão parcial de dióxido de carbono). Os resultados mostraram que os parâmetros hematológicos e gasométricos são afetados pela idade e linhagem do frango. As aves selecionadas apresentaram um número de eritrócito menor e um volume globular médio maior aos 21 dias de idade quando comparados aos animais de 42 dias de idade, e uma relação inversa foi verificada nos frangos não selecionados. Estes dados sugerem que quando jovens os frangos selecionados podem ser mais sensíveis às alterações nos parâmetros pulmonares e desenvolver a síndrome da Ascite

Efeito da idade e linhagem sobre parâmetros hematológicos e gasométricos de frangos de corte selecionados e não selecionados

Objetivou-se investigar o efeito de idade e linhagem sobre parâmetros hematológicos e gasométricos de frangos selecionados e não selecionados. Foram utilizados somente frangos machos, sendo 40 selecionados e 10 não-selecionados. Amostras de sangue foram colhidas aos 21 e 42 dias de idade e determinados os parâmetros hematológicos (eritrócito, leucócito, hemoglobina, hematócrito, volume globular médio, hemoglobina globular média e concentração de hemoglobina no eritrócito), e os parâmetros gasométricos (pH, pressão parcial de oxigênio e pressão parcial de dióxido de carbono). Os resultados mostraram que os parâmetros hematológicos e gasométricos são afetados pela idade e linhagem do frango. As aves selecionadas apresentaram um número de eritrócito menor e um volume globular médio maior aos 21 dias de idade quando comparados aos animais de 42 dias de idade, e uma relação inversa foi verificada nos frangos não selecionados. Estes dados sugerem que quando jovens os frangos selecionados podem ser mais sensíveis às alterações nos parâmetros pulmonares e desenvolver a síndrome da Ascite

Desempenho e perfil hormonal de frangos alimentados com diferentes níveis energéticos após restrição alimentar

The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of diet energy level on performance and hormonal profiles of broilers during post restriction period. It was a split-plot experiment, and the main treatments were in a 2x2 factorial scheme. Birds were fed restricted to 30% of the ad libitum intake, from 7 to 14 days of age. After the restriction period, birds were fed ad libitum with diets containing low (2,900 kcal ME/kg) or high (3,200 kcal ME/kg) energy until 49 days of age. Broilers fed with high energy ration showed lower feed intake and better feed conversion and decreased carcass protein; however, abdominal fat pad, and total carcass fat were not affected by ration energy levels or feeding program. Neither diet energy level nor feed restriction program changed body weight at 49 days. The profile of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was reduced during the feed restriction period, but increased at refeeding period. Feeding program and ration energy level did not affect T3, T4 and growth hormone serum concentrations. Feed restriction at 30% of ad libitum intake is not enough to promote changes on carcass quality, related to fat deposition, and on metabolic hormone levels, except IGF-1 seric level that has rapid increase after feed restriction.O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar o efeito do nível energético da dieta no desempenho e nos níveis hormonais após um período de restrição alimentar. O experimento foi em parcelas subdivididas, com os tratamentos principais em um esquema fatorial 2x2. O consumo de ração das aves foi reduzido em 30% em relação ao grupo controle, do 7o ao 14o dia de idade, sendo posteriormente alimentadas ad libitum com dietas contendo baixa (2.900 kcal EM/kg) ou alta energia (3.200 kcal EM/kg), até os 49 dias de idade. Aves alimentadas com o maior nível energético mostraram um menor consumo de ração, melhor conversão alimentar e decréscimo na quantidade de proteína da carcaça. A gordura abdominal e total da carcaça não foram afetadas pelo nível energético ou programa alimentar, assim como o peso corporal aos 49 dias de idade. Os níveis séricos do fator de crescimento tipo insulina-1 (FCI-1) foram reduzidos durante a restrição, mas aumentou com a realimentação. O programa alimentar e o nível energético não afetaram as concentrações de T3, T4 e hormônio de crescimento. A restrição alimentar em 30% do consumo ad libitum não é suficiente para promover alterações na qualidade da carcaça nem nas concentrações dos hormônios metabólicos, com exceção do FCI-1, que apresenta um rápido aumento após a restrição

Low-protein diets on broilers performance reared under different temperatures

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de frangos, entre 42 e 49 dias, alimentados com dietas de baixa proteína e criados em diferentes temperaturas. Foram utilizados 360 frangos, machos, Cobb-500, distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso em esquema fatorial 3x3 (temperatura ambiente de 20, 25 e 32ºC e dietas com teores de proteína bruta de 18,0, 16,5 e 15,0%), com quatro repetições de dez aves cada. As dietas com baixa proteína prejudicaram o desempenho e a eficiência de retenção de nitrogênio dos frangos criados em 32ºC. Os rendimentos de carcaça e de coxa e sobrecoxa foram maiores nas aves criadas a 32ºC. Os demais cortes e a deposição de gordura abdominal não foram alterados. O estresse por calor reduziu o teor de proteína e aumentou o de gordura na coxa e sobrecoxa, ao passo que os teores protéicos não alteraram a composição bromatológica dos cortes. A utilização de dietas com baixa proteína piora o desempenho de frangos, de 42 a 49 dias, criados em estresse por calor. No entanto, essas dietas podem ser utilizadas em frangos criados em 20 ou 25ºC, pois não alteram o desempenho, a qualidade da carcaça e diminuem a excreção de nitrogênio.The objective of this work was to evaluate broilers performance, from 42 to 49 days, fed on low-protein diet and reared under different temperatures. Three hundred and sixty male broilers from Cobb-500 strain were randomly housed in a 3x3 factorial arrangement (environmental temperature of 20, 25 and 32oC and crude protein levels of 18.0, 16.5 and 15.0%) with four replicates of ten birds each. Performance and efficiency of nitrogen retention were impaired in broilers fed on low-protein diets and reared under temperature of 32ºC. Carcass, as well as thigh and drumstick increased in birds reared at hot temperature yield, however other parts yield, and abdominal fat deposition were not altered by the studied factors. Drumstick and thigh protein composition decreased in broilers reared under heat stress, while fat composition increased. Protein levels did not affect carcass composition. Low-protein diet impairs broiler performance in heat-exposed broilers from 42 to 49 days. However, broilers can be fed on low-protein diets under temperatures of 20 or 25ºC, because these temperatures did not affect broilers performance, carcass quality, and they promoted lower nitrogen excretion

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae cell wall dietary supplementation on the performance and intestinal mucosa development and integrity of broiler chickens vaccinated against coccidiosis

This study was carried out to verify if Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall (SCCW) dietary supplementation (0.2%) was capable of protecting the intestinal mucosa of broiler chickens vaccinated against coccidiosis. Body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion and intestinal mucosa morphometric parameters and epithelial loss were evaluated. In the experiment,400 day-old male chicks were distributed according to a completely randomized design in a 2x2 factorial arrangement. The following treatments were applied: T1 - no vaccination/ no SCCW supplementation; T2 - no vaccination/SCCW supplementation; T3 - vaccination/no SCCW supplementation; and T4 - vaccination/SCCW supplementation to four replicates of 25 birds each. Birds were vaccinated on the first day of age using a spray vaccine (Coccivac B®, Coopers), containing E. acervulina, E. maxima, E. mivati and E. tenella. S. cerevisiae cell wall was supplied from the first day of age. Live performance, intestinal morphometric parameters and epithelial loss were evaluated at 14, 21 and 28 days of age. Performance was affected by vaccination only at 21-days of age, when body weight gain was reduced in the vaccinated birds, but no body weight difference was observed on day 28. Vaccine also increased the crypt depth (p0.05) by vaccine or cell wall supplementation, and epithelial loss was more pronounced in the duodenum and jejunum. In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that S. cerevisiae cell wall supplementation may be an useful management tool to maintain the intestinal integrity of broilers vaccinated against coccidiosis

Effect of dietary energy and stocking density on the performance and sensible heat loss of broilers reared under tropical winter conditions

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of different dietary energy levels and stocking densities on the thermoregulating parameters, live performance, and carcass traits of broilers reared under tropical winter conditions at different times of the day. In total, 1,312 one-d-old male broilers were used. Birds were allotted to three different stocking densities (10, 14 or 18 birds/m²) and two dietary energy levels (2900 or 3200 kcal ME/kg). The following parameters were evaluated:radiant heat load (RHL), rectal temperature (RT), feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), livability (L), production of live weight per area (WA), and carcass yield. Stocking density did not affect sensible heat loss (SRL) or rectal temperature (RT); however, as expected, sensible heat loss (SRL) and RT were influenced by time of the day, with higher values in the morning and in the afternoon, respectively. There was no effect of treatment (p>0.05) on carcass or parts yield. Feed intake was reduced in 3%, whereas weight gain and feed conversion ratio improved in 8 and 10%, respectively, as dietary energy level increased. on the other hand, stocking density did not influence live performance or carcass traits. Based on the present results, it is concluded that sensible heat loss depends on dietary energy levels and particularly on time of the day. Therefore, environmental house management is suggested during tropical winters in order to reduce differences between broiler skin and environmental temperatures in the morning and in the afternoon

Windows application for analysing DNA sequences

The aspects involved in broiler water intake are not well known, despite the importance of water in animal nutrition and physiology. Water intake behavior should be taken into account when deciding on different types of drinkers. Bell and nipple drinkers are the most commonly used in commercial broiler production. Broilers were housed in cages equipped with two different drinker types and raised at two different environmental temperatures (25 and 34 ºC) to evaluate water intake behavior and volume. Broiler water intake behavior was influenced by drinker type. Birds visited bell drinkers less often, but presented higher total water intake per visit to the drinker as compared to those drinking from nipple drinkers. The results of this study suggest that both broilers drinking behavior and water intake volume should be taken into account when deciding on drinker type to equip broiler houses