Broiler pulmonary hypertension syndrome. III. Commercial broiler strains differ in their susceptibility.
Broilers of 4 different commercial strains were kept during winter at an altitude of 1,350 m. The birds were slaughtered at weekly intervals and their relative right ventricular mass (pulmonary arterial pressure index = API values) determined. In addition, the incidence of ascites was recorded. Two of the strains suffered high losses from ascites, while the other 2 showed a certain degree of resistance. The former 2 groups had a higher mean API and a greater percentage of high API values in clinically normal birds than the other 2 groups. The group with the lowest incidence of ascites achieved the highest mean live mass at 51 days. There was also a decrease in mean API with age in clinically normal birds. There was no difference in the incidence of ascites between males and females.
Huchzermeyer
F W
FW
Section of Poultry Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, Onderstepoort.
De Ruyck
A C
AC
Van Ark
H
H
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D002645:Chickens; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D012737:Sex Factors