Use of electrocardiographic analysis for investigation of ascites syndrome in broiler chickens.

This study was conducted (at high altitude [1969 meters]) to determine whether chicks predisposed to cardiac failure and ascites could be identified and followed during growout with non-invasive electrocardiographic (ECG) techniques. ECG recordings were made on 40 chicks at 1 week of age. All recordings were analyzed by quantifying the amplitude in millivolts of the R-, S-, and T-waves in each of the recordings. During the study, ascites-related mortality was 40%, with the majority of the deaths occurring between 5 and 8 weeks of age. Chicks exhibiting moderate-to-severe right ventricular hypertrophy, as identified by ECG analysis at 1 week of age, were predisposed to development of ascites. Thus, the variability in ascites-related mortality observed in field cases may be directly related to the number of predisposed chicks at the time of placement in the broiler house.     

Echocardiographic study of pulmonary hypertension syndrome in broiler chickens

Echocardiography was used to study cardiovascular structure and function during the development of pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) in broiler chickens. Body weight-normalized right and left ventricular diameters at both end-diastole (RVDD, LVDD) and end-systole (RVDS, LVDS) were determined weekly in broilers reared under either normobaric (altitude, 96.7 m) or hypobaric conditions (simulated altitude, 2900 m) until 5 wk of age. Hypobaric-exposed broilers had larger RVDD at 3 and 4 wk of age and larger RVDS at 3, 4, and 5 wk of age. Hypobaric-exposed broilers also had larger LVDD at 2, 3, 4, and 5 wk of age and larger LVDS at 4 wk of age. Right (RVFS) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) were smaller in hypobaric- vs. normobaric-exposed broilers at 3, 4, and 5 wk of age and at 4 wk of age, respectively. Among hypobaric-exposed birds, PHS-positive (+) broilers had larger RVDD and RVDS than PHS-negative (-) broilers on week 3 and on weeks 1 and 3 after hypobaric exposure, respectively. PHS-positive (+) broilers also had smaller RVFS on week 1 after hypobaric exposure. Electrocardiographic and post-mortem data indicated that PHS+ broilers also developed right ventricular hypertrophy when compared with PHS-negative (-) broilers. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that PHS develops as a result of pulmonary hypertension and cardiac overload and suggest that PHS+ broilers have a greater and more persistent reaction to hypoxia than PHS- broilers.     

早期限饲对肉鸡体内脂质过氧化作用和抗氧化酶活性的影响

采用低温诱发肉鸡腹水综合征(AS)，并观察早期限饲对常温和低温饲养时肉鸡AS的发病率、肉鸡体内脂质过氧化作用和抗氧化酶活性的影响。试验1，限饲处理组肉鸡分别于7～14日龄或7～21日龄每天给料8h，对照组肉鸡全程自由采食。试验2，限饲组肉鸡分别于7～14日龄给予对照组肉鸡前一天饲料消耗量的60％或80％，对照组肉鸡自由采食。试验过程中连续测定肉鸡血浆超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH—Px)、丙二醛(MDA)水平和腹水心脏指数(RV／TV值)。结果显示低温显著升高了肉鸡血浆MDA浓度，降低了血浆SOD和GSH—Px的活性；低温饲养肉鸡5～6周龄时的RV／TV值显著升高，AS的发病率显著增加。限饲处理显著降低了肉鸡血浆MDA含量，并且限饲处理肉鸡生长后期血浆中SOD和GSH—Px活性显著高于自由采食组肉鸡。所有的限饲处理均能降低肉鸡AS的发病率，并且早期限饲处理肉鸡42日龄的RV／TV值显著低于非限饲肉鸡。这表明早期限饲能够减轻肉鸡体内脂质过氧化作用，提高机体抗氧化酶的活性，从而降低AS的发病率。     

Right ventricular failure and ascites in broiler chickens caused by phosphorus-deficient diets

Phosphorus-deficient diets fed to broiler chicks from day 1 to day 21 induced rickets. Some chicks were stunted, but most grew well, though they had increased respiratory rates, high arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure, and low oxygen partial pressure and were polycythemic. Most of the broilers that died showed signs of pulmocardiovascular abnormalities, some died from hypoxia, and some died from right ventricular failure with or without ascites. Many broilers had mild to marked right ventricular hypertrophy and dilation with or without ascites when examined at 21 days. It is suggested that right ventricular hypertrophy and dilation was a response to pulmonary arterial hypertension caused by chronic hypoxia, which resulted from inability to breathe normally because of poor rib strength and infolding. When right ventricular failure occurred, it was secondary to right ventricular hypertrophy and dilation.     

Increased calcium deposits and decreased Ca2+-ATPase in right ventricular myocardium of ascitic broiler chickens

Right ventricular hypertrophy and failure is an important step in the development of ascites syndrome (AS) in broiler chickens. Cytoplasmic calcium concentration is a major regulator of cardiac contractile function and various physiological processes in cardiac muscle cells. The purpose of this study was to measure the right ventricular pressure and investigate the precise ultrastructural location of Ca(2+) and Ca(2+)-ATPase in the right ventricular myocardium of chickens with AS induced by low ambient temperature. The results showed that the right ventricular diastolic pressure of ascitic broilers was significantly higher than that of control broilers (P < 0.01), and the maximum change ratio of right intraventricular pressure (RV +/- dp/dt(max)) of ascitic broilers was significantly lower than that of the controls (P < 0.01). Extensively increased calcium deposits were observed in the right ventricular myocardium of ascitic broilers, whereas in the age-matched control broilers, calcium deposits were much less. The Ca(2+)-ATPase reactive products were obviously found on the sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial membrane of the control right ventricular myocardium, but rarely observed in the ascitic broilers. The data suggest that in ascitic broilers there is the right ventricular diastolic dysfunction, in which the overload of intracellular calcium and the decreased Ca(2+)-ATPase activity might be the important factors.     

Effect of dietary flax oil and hypobaric hypoxia on pulmonary hypertension and haematological variables in broiler chickens.

1. Three experiments were conducted with broiler chickens using hypobaric chambers and control pens, feeding diets containing 25 or 50 g flax oil/kg food or control diets with equivalent amounts of animal/vegetable (A/V) blend oil for 4 weeks. The effect of these diets on haematological variables and the extent of right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) leading to ascites was determined. 2. Overall growth rate was not consistently affected by dietary treatment, although feeding the 25 g flax oil/kg diet reduced weight gain in week 4 of one experiment. Feeding the 50 g flax oil/kg diet but not the 25 g flax oil/kg diet reduced RVH in birds exposed to hypobaric conditions compared to feeding control diets. 3. Feeding the 50 g flax oil/kg diet under hypobaric conditions reduced the haematocrit and haemoglobin content, increased the erythrocyte deformability and the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in the erythrocyte membranes, and reduced the whole blood viscosity compared to feeding control diets. These effects were not seen when the 25 g flax oil/kg diet was fed. The ratio of n-3 to n-6 fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes was increased in the 50 g flax oil/kg treatment group compared to controls. 4. Including 50 g flax oil/kg broiler diet reduces RVH in broiler chickens. This may be attributable in part to an increase in erythrocyte deformability from an increased proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in the erythrocyte membranes.     

日粮L-肉碱添加对肉鸡生产性能以及腹水症发生的影响

将180只1日龄AA雄性肉鸡随机分为3组,每组6个重复,8日龄起在日粮中分别添加L肉碱0,75,150mg/kg。15～21日龄关闭水暖进行较低温处理(15～18℃)以诱发腹水症。通过测定肉鸡不同阶段的体增重、采食量、饲料转化率、血红细胞压积(PCV)、红细胞渗透脆性(EOF)、肉鸡右心室内压(RVP)、肺动脉压(PAP)以及腹水心脏指数(AHI)等指标来研究日粮L肉碱添加对肉鸡生产性能以及腹水症发生的影响。结果表明:日粮中添加L肉碱对肉鸡生产性能的影响不显著(P>0.05),但能显著(P<0.05)降低肉鸡腹水症的死亡率。对肉鸡PCV、RVP、PAP等均没有显著(P>0.05)影响,但能显著(P<0.05)降低EOF和AHI。     

Generation of hydroxyl radicals during ascites experimentally induced in broilers

Increased metabolic rates, pulmonary hypertension and cardiac dysfunction are the most important features of the ascites syndrome in broiler chickens. However, the mechanism of cell injury causing the pathogenesis of the syndrome is not clearly understood. Our study aimed to examine the generation of hydroxyl radicals (OH*) in broiler chickens experiencing ascites. The hundred and fifty 1-d-old chickens were purchased from a local hatchery and reared in an open poultry house for 46 d. They were divided at random into three groups and ascites was induced in two groups by exposing them to low temperature or administration of triiodothyronine (T(3)). The third group served as control and was reared normally. Haematological, biochemical and pathological tests were used to determine the incidence of ascites: including total red blood cell (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), release of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) and ratio of right ventricular weight to total ventricular weight (RV/TV). A salicylate hydroxylation method was used to examine the generation of hydroxyl radicals (OH*) in treated groups. TWo hydroxylated salicylic acid metabolites, 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxy benzoic acid (2,3- and 2,5-DHBA), were measured by HPLC to detect the generation of OH*. An ascites syndrome was observed in T(3) and low-temperature treated groups, as shown by necropsy changes and increases in f RBC, PCV, ALT, AST and the ratio of RV/TV. Concentrations of 2,3- and 2,5-DHBA were increased in groups experiencing ascites compared to control group. It is suggested that reactive oxygen species that is OH* ions, may be involved in the pathogenesis of the ascites syndrome in broiler chickens.     

A Study of Electrocardiographic Patterns in a Population of Commercial Broiler Chickens

Olkowski, A.A., Classen, H.L., Riddell, C. and Bennett, C.D., 1997. A study of electrocardiographic patterns in a population of commercial broiler chickens. Veterinary Research Communications, 21 (1), 51-62. A study was completed to characterize the electrocardiographic (ECG) patterns of male broiler chickens. Data were collected from 300 commercial broilers. ECG readings were collected from all birds between 12 and 15 days of age and then twice more at 10-day intervals. The measurements included heart rate and rhythm, QRS complex duration, amplitude and mean electrical axis (MEA), incidence of ascites and incidence of sudden death syndrome (SDS). Eight birds died from SDS and 4 birds died from ascites. Twelve birds were condemned for ascites at the processing plant. The overall population heart rate declined with age. Birds that died of SDS had a higher heart rate, whereas those that developed ascites had a lower heart rate than the remainder of the population. The normal MEA was found to be between 0° and 180°. On average 30% of birds showed left or right QRS axis deviation, and this pattern was observed in 14 of the 16 birds that developed ascites. Several types of cardiac arrhythmias were observed, the most common being premature ventricular contractions (PVC). The incidence of PVC increased with age, ranging from 1% at 12-15 days of age to 8.9% at 32-35 days of age. QRS axis deviation was present in 5 SDS birds. It is concluded that some 30% of the broiler flock tested was at risk of developing heart failure or heart-related disease.     

Comparison of phytohemagglutinin-induced cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions in the interdigital skin of broiler and layer chicks

Cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) responses elicited by intradermal injection of phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) were evaluated in the interdigital skin of broiler and layer chicks. Five- and 10-day-old broiler and layer chicks were injected intradermally in the interdigital skin between the third and fourth digits of the right foot with 25, 50, or 100 micrograms of PHA-P. The PHA-P-elicited CBH responses were evaluated by determining interdigital skin thickness before injection and 12 and 24 hr after injection. The effect of treatment with the T-lymphocyte-suppressing drug cyclosporin on the CBH responses was determined in chicks treated daily for 4 days before skin-testing at 10 days of age. Injection of PHA-P caused significant increases (P less than 0.005) in skin thickness at all dose amounts, with the maximum CBH response elicited by 100 micrograms PHA-P. The CBH response was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in broilers than in layers. Treatment with cyclosporin significantly suppressed (P less than 0.01) the CBH response in 10-day-old chicks of both types. Results indicate that the interdigital skin-test is a rapid, simple means of assessing normal and suppressed T-lymphocyte-mediated immune response in broiler and layer chicks.     

Controlled early feed restriction as a potential means of reducing the incidence of ascites in broilers.

Male broiler chicks were grown at cold temperatures to enhance susceptibility to the ascites syndrome. Various feeding regimens were used to determine whether they could influence mortality due to ascites. It was found that a precisely controlled early feed-restriction regimen at the age of 6 to 11 days significantly reduced mortality from all causes and mortality due to ascites, while maintaining optimum body weight and feed conversion at marketing age.     

Echocardiographic characteristics of chickens with ascites syndrome

1. B- and M-mode echocardiography was used to compare cardiac function in broilers with spontaneous ascites syndrome with that of normal chickens. 2. Thirty ascitic chickens and 15 normal chickens aged three, 4, 5, and 6 weeks from the same flock (180 birds in total) were examined. They were restrained gently in a natural standing position, and echocardiographs were obtained from a 7.0-MHz linear transducer placed on the left pectoral apterium. Indices of cardiac structure and functioning were calculated from the echocardiographs, and some were normalised to body weight. Heart rate was also measured. 3. All cardiac structural indices in both ascitic and normal chickens increased with age. Compared with normal chickens, right ventricular diameter at the end of systole in ascitic chickens was greater at 4, 5 and 6 weeks of age. Ventricular septal thickness at the end of both systole and diastole was greater in ascitic chickens at 5 and 6 weeks. Left ventricular free wall thickness at the end of diastole was less in ascitic chickens at 3 weeks. However, all the structural indices decreased with age after normalisation with body weight. 4. The heart rate of ascitic chickens was lower at 4, 5 and 6 weeks. Normalised left ventricular fractional shortening was lower in ascitic chickens at 4, 5 and 6 weeks, as was normalised right ventricular fractional shortening. Incrassation of the ventricular septum (Delta T), which changed little in normal chickens, was less at 4, 5 and 6 weeks in ascitic chickens. Left ventricular fractional shortening, right ventricular fractional shortening and Delta T were all negatively correlated with ascites heart index at all ages. 5. Taken together the results suggest heart failure of both ventricle, but that right ventricular dysfunction is more extensive than left ventricular dysfunction. We suggest that secondary pulmonary hypertension would result in these ascitic chickens due to volume overload.     

心律失常与肉鸡腹水综合征、猝死综合征发生的关系

对来自 2次试验的 34 0只 (公鸡 182只 ,母鸡 15 8只 )商品 AA肉鸡 ,分别在 7～ 9、2 1～ 2 3、35～ 37日龄 ;14～ 16、2 8～ 30、42～ 44日龄时心电描记中出现的心律失常的特征进行了研究 ,同时还对肉鸡腹水综合征 (AS)、肉鸡猝死综合征 (SDS)的发生进行了跟踪记录。结果表明 ,(1)肉鸡心律失常在 8日龄时即可发生 ,发生率随日龄增加而增高 ,在 42～ 44日龄时可达 16 .6 7% ,且公鸡较母鸡的发病率高 ;(2 )心律失常在肉鸡中最常见的是室性心律失常和窦房或房室传导阻滞 ;(3) 2次试验中 ,有 11只死于 SDS,死亡率 3.2 3% ;有 14只发展为 AS,发病率为 4.11%。对动态心电描记记录作回顾性分析发现 ,死于 SDS的肉鸡中 ,有 7只生前表现有室性心律失常病史 ;发展为 AS的 ,有 8只生前就有传导阻滞的病史。由此可以推测 ,室性心律失常、传导阻滞分别在 SDS和 AS的病理发生中起重要作用     

肉鸡腹水综合征患鸡右心组织钙沉积和Ca2+-ATPase活性变化

右心肥大衰竭是腹水综合征患鸡发病的重要环节之一,而心肌细胞内Ca^2＋浓度在调节心脏收缩和舒张功能及其生长方面都起着重要作用。本试验应用右心导管法测定AS患鸡右心压力变化情况,采用焦锑酸钾沉淀法、电镜酶细胞化学法研究AS患鸡右心组织Ca^2＋和钙泵（Ca^2＋-ATPase）活性变化及其精确定位。结果显示AS组肉鸡右心室舒张压极显著高于对照组（P〈0.01）,同时,右心室内压最大变化速率也极显著降低（P〈0.01）;对照组肉鸡右心组织偶见少量散在的Ca^2＋沉淀颗粒,低温诱发AS患鸡右心组织发生了明显的钙沉积;对照组肉鸡的右心组织Ca^2＋-ATPase以高电子密度颗粒分布于肌浆网、线粒体膜等处,AS患鸡心脏组织的Ca^2＋-ATPase的电子密度颗粒显著减少或缺失。本研究揭示,在低温条件下AS患鸡具有明显的右心舒张功能障碍,Ca^2＋浓度增高和Ca^2＋-ATPase功能抑制可能在其中起着重要作用。     

The relationship of right ventricular hypertrophy, right ventricular failure, and ascites to weight gain in broiler and roaster chickens

Nine hundred twenty-five male progeny from 50 sire families of a commercial sire line were weighed at 14, 28, and 47 days and scored for right ventricular hypertrophydilation at 48 days. Broilers with marked hypertrophy of the right ventricle at processing (298 of 925) were significantly heavier than their more normal contemporaries at 14 and 28 days of age. These results suggest that rapidly growing broilers are more susceptible to increased pulmonary arterial pressure resulting in right ventricular hypertrophy, right ventricular failure, and ascites than slower-growing broilers. Thirty-five (3.5% of 997) broilers died from right ventricular failure and ascites, and 14 (1.5% of 925) has ascites at processing. Two hundred fifty-nine sibs were kept on full feed to 16 weeks of age. Between 7 and 16 weeks, 68 (26.3%) of these cockerels died from right ventricular failure and ascites and a further 27 (10.4%) had marked right ventricular hypertrophy-dilation when processed at 16 weeks. Thus most of the 298 broilers classified as having marked right ventricular hypertrophy at 7 weeks would likely have died from right ventricular failure and ascites if they had been kept on full feed until 16 weeks.     

氨气对肉鸡生产性能、血液常规指标和腹水症发生率的影响

为探讨氨气对肉鸡生产性能、血常规指标和腹水症发生率的影响。试验选择240只1日龄AA肉公鸡,随机分成4个处理组,每个处理组设6个重复,每个重复10只鸡。各处理组试验肉鸡分别饲养在4个独立的、但环境可控制的实验舱内。4个环控仓氨气浓度设计:0～3周龄分别为0、13、26mg/kg和52mg/kg;3～6周龄分别依次调整为0、26、52mg/kg和80mg/kg。结果表明:氨气浓度对0～3周龄肉鸡的日增重、日采食量和死亡率均无显著影响(P>0.05),但52mg/kg氨气组可显著降低饲料转化效率(P<0.05);在3～6周龄,80mg/kg氨气组可显著降低肉鸡的日增重和日采食量(P<0.05),饲料转化率和死亡率在数值上随氨气浓度的提高有上升趋势,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。氨气浓度对3周龄和6周龄肉鸡血常规,6周龄肉鸡心脏指数和腹水发生率均无显著影响(P>0.05),但红细胞数量、红细胞压积和红细胞平均体积随氨气浓度的提高在数量上有所增加。高浓度氨气(80mg/kg)有诱导肉鸡腹水症发生的趋势。综合考虑氨气浓度和肉鸡生产性能变化趋势,现代肉鸡在0～3周龄舍内氨气浓度应不超过13mg/kg,在3～6周龄氨气浓度应不超过20mg/kg。     

Effect of poultry by-product meal on pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular failure and ascites in broiler chickens

We tested the hypothesis that poultry by-product meal would produce a thermogenic response (an increased requirement for oxygen) resulting in an increased incidence of pulmonary hypertension with right ventricular failure and ascites in commercial broiler chickens.

Four treatment groups, each with three replicates of 40 chicks, were fed a commercial broiler starter to day 21, grower to day 35, and the following experimental diets after day 35: group 1, commercial chicken broiler finisher; group 2, commercial chicken broiler finisher with poultry by-product meal added to replace part of the soyabean meal; group 3, commercial chicken broiler finisher with poultry fat added to replace the animal-vegetable (AV) fat; group 4, commercial chicken broiler finisher with both poultry by-product meal and poultry fat added to replace soyabean meal and AV fat. On day 35, pen temperature was reduced to 15°C, and on day 42 to 12°C.

Mortality from ascites between days 35 and 56 was 11(9%) in group 2, 5(4%) in group 4 and 3(2.5%) in groups 1 and 3 The incidence of pulmonary hypertension, as measured by an increased right ventricle: total ventricle (RV:TV) ratio (RV:TV > 0.249) at processing on day 57, was higher in the groups receiving poultry by-product and poultry fat: 27(22.5%) in group 2, 26(21.7%) in group 3, and 20(16.7%) in group 4 compared to that of the controls 12(10%).

     

Effect of dietary lactose on cecal pH, bacteriostatic volatile fatty acids, and Salmonella typhimurium colonization of broiler chicks

One-day-old broiler chicks were inoculated with volatile fatty acid producing cecal flora from adult chickens. The chicks were divided into four groups and provided 1) no lactose, 2) 2.5% lactose in water, 3) 5% lactose in feed, or 4) 10% lactose in feed, until 10 days of age. All groups were challenged at 3 days of age with 10(6) or 10(8) S. typhimurium. At 10 days, the number of Salmonella in the ceca of the chicks challenged with 10(6) Salmonella was significantly decreased (P less than 0.01) in the groups provided lactose as compared with the controls. A significant decrease (P less than 0.01) in Salmonella numbers occurred in the chicks challenged with 10(8) Salmonella and provided 10% lactose. Providing 2.5% lactose or 5% lactose failed to inhibit Salmonella growth in chicks challenged with 10(8) Salmonella. The pH of the ceca of the groups provided lactose decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) and was accompanied by significant increases (P less than 0.01) in the concentrations of bacteriostatic acetic and propionic acids. Results showed that providing dietary lactose to broiler chicks and inoculation with normal cecal flora decreased cecal pH, increased the concentrations of bacteriostatic volatile fatty acids, and inhibited Salmonella colonization.     

肉鸡腹水综合征患鸡右心组织钙含量的研究

利用原子吸收分光光度法和焦锑酸钾组化电镜技术,测定肉鸡右心室壁总钙和右心室组织细胞内游离Ca2+含量和分布。结果显示肉鸡腹水综合征患鸡右心室壁总钙含量为(71.2±6.5)mg/kg,显著高于低温未发病和健康肉鸡(分别为58.0±4.4,46.8±3.1,P<0.01)。电镜观察发现Ca2+沉淀颗粒主要散在分布于患鸡心肌胞浆、肌浆网、线粒体等部位,腹水综合征患鸡Ca2+颗粒的沉积量比健康肉鸡显著增多。结果提示心肌细胞内Ca2+的异常可能与肉鸡腹水综合征的发生发展有关。     

Cardiomyopathy in broiler chickens congenitally infected with avian leukosis virus subgroup J

Dilated cardiomyopathy and ascites in broiler chickens are frequently associated with rapid growth and pulmonary hypertension, but can be associated with some avian leukosis virus (ALV) infections. The novel subgroup J of ALV has a high cardiac tropism, but dilated cardiomyopathy has not been reported previously. We report a dilated cardiomyopathy incidence of 11.1% in broiler chickens congenitally infected with ALV subgroup J (ALV-J). Gross lesions included severe body weight suppression, cardiomegaly with biventricular dilation, right ventricular hypertrophy, visceral congestion, and ascites. Cardiac myocytes and Purkinje fibers contained 2- to 10-microm intracytoplasmic magenta inclusions that contained ALV-J-specific nucleic acid. Ultrastructurally, inclusions contained ribosomes and immature virions and were associated with myofibril disruption and disarray. Peracute centrilobular hepatic necrosis was present in most cases. ALV-J-associated cardiomyopathy may involve a direct viral effect on cardiac myocytes and Purkinje fibers.