title: Ascites in growing broilers: a research model.
abstract: A method was developed to experimentally produce ascites in broiler chickens. High-altitude simulation (treatment group) was conducted to study the development of ascites in broiler chickens. In each of three experiments, 15 male broiler chicks (1 wk old) were placed in a hypobaric chamber (principal groups) for 5 wk and 15 other chicks were reared in batteries (control groups). Ascites occurred among chicks in the principal groups recorded at 13, 27, and 80% at simulated altitudes of 1,980, 2,438, and 2,896 m, respectively. No ascites were observed in the controls at 100 m (the altitude at College Station, Texas). Body weight was significantly (P less than .05) reduced for broilers in the principal groups versus the controls-especially at 2,896 m, where the principals weighed 500 g less than the controls. The counts for hematocrit, hemoglobin, and red blood cells were significantly (P less than .05) increased in all treatment groups; while at 2,438 and 2,896 m, corticosterone was significantly reduced. Histopathology indicated consistent, mild, cardiopulmonary lesions similar to those observed in the spontaneous ascites of broiler chickens. The high-altitude simulation model will be useful in studying the etiological factors and interactions causing ascites.
authors.affiliation: USDA/ARS-Veterinary Toxicology and Entomology Research Laboratory, College Station, Texas 77841.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Witzel
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Huff
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Kubena
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Elissalde
mesh_terms: D000531:Altitude; D000818:Animals; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001835:Body Weight; D002645:Chickens; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004906:Erythrocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013577:Syndrome; D014166:Transferases / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D014166:Transferases; D003345:Corticosterone