title: Proposed bursa of Fabricius weight to body weight ratio standard in commercial broilers.
abstract: Several causes may induce change and atrophy in the bursa of Fabricius (BF). Databases on BF standards are available from published studies, however, updated references are needed to adjust the BF standards to present changes in highly specialized broiler genetic lines. The aim of this study was to evaluate BF-related measurements (weight and dimensions) under controlled conditions that would mimic field situations. Chickens were kept in isolation, thus avoiding exposure to disease agents by vaccination or field infections. This study was conducted using male Cobb 500 commercial broilers from the same hatch and source. Absence of disease was confirmed throughout the study. Despite the presence of individual variations, a minimum bursa-to-body weight ratio standard of 0.11 is proposed in broilers from 7 to 42 days of age.
authors.affiliation: Ceva Sante Animale, 10 avenue de la Ballastiere, 33500 Libourne, France christophe.cazaban@ceva.com.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cazaban
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), UAB-IRTA, Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Majo Masferrer
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), UAB-IRTA, Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain.
authors.forename: Roser
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dolz Pascual
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), UAB-IRTA, Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain.
authors.forename: Miquel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nofrarias Espadamala
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), UAB-IRTA, Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain.
authors.forename: Taiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Ceva Sante Animale, 10 avenue de la Ballastiere, 33500 Libourne, France.
authors.forename: Yannick
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gardin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002060:Bursa of Fabricius / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development*; D002645:Chickens / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D012016:Reference Values
keywords: broiler; bursa of Fabricius; chicken