ARS | Publication request: PHYSIOLOGICAL COMPARISON BETWEEN ASCITES RESISTANT AND ASCITES SUSCEPTIBLE BROILERS

Submitted to: Southern Poultry Science Society Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 25, 2000
Publication Date: August 25, 2000

Technical Abstract: Ascites is a metabolic disease of fast growing meat-type birds. Ascites syndrome is currently being controlled by a variety of management tools including feed restriction, lighting, environmental control, and nutrient manipulation. Proper management can reduce ascites; however, the permanent solution is genetic selection for ascites resistant lines. The objective of this research was to determine the difference between ascites resistant and ascites susceptible broiler lines. The control was a relaxed line of the same strain, which had no particular selection pressure applied. Data collected were used to select for future generations of broiler-breeders. Broilers were reared in floor pens with feed and water for ad libitum consumption. Birds were cold-stressed at 4h after hatch and again on day 21 (10C for 5h) to initiate an ascitic response. At six weeks of age, birds were bled and euthanized. Whole body, liver, spleen, split heart and dlung weights were recorded. Lung cavity was measured and birds were score for ascites. Results showed body weights were not significantly different among all groups. Susceptible birds showed more right ventricular hypertrophy (P>0.0001) than controls and resistant birds. Total heart to body weight ratio was significantly higher (P>0.002) in the susceptible and resistant birds. Ascites mortality was not significantly different between the lines. Lung weights in the resistant birds were significantly heavier (P>0.05) when compared to control and susceptible birds. Lung cavity width was significantly smaller (P>0.06) in the resistant birds than the control birds.