title: [Several cases of nitrite poisoning in broiler breeding hens].
abstract: Because of insufficient ventilation during winter, water condensation associated with a high concentration of ammonia (70-100 ppm) in the air, occurred on several breeding farms. The ammonia became bound to the condensation water and was converted into nitrites (6000-16000 mg/l) and nitrates (1630-1700 mg/l). Ingestion by the birds resulted in acute death, probably as a result of the high nitrite concentration. The brown colour of the blood pointed to the conversion of haemoglobin to methaemoglobin and this is one of the features of nitrite poisoning.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006799:Housing, Animal / Q000592:standards; D008706:Methemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D009573:Nitrites / Q000506:poisoning*; D011200:Poultry; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014691:Ventilation / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D009573:Nitrites; D008706:Methemoglobin
vernacular_title: Enkele gevallen van nitrietvergiftiging bij slachtkuikenmoederdieren.