The effects of induced ascites on blood parameters and internal organ weights in the paternal lines of a commercial broiler line

The aim of present study was to evaluate the effect of ascites on some blood parameters and internal organ weights in the two paternal lines A and B from a commercial broiler line which were selected for higher body weight and lower feed conversion rate, respectively. In total 302 male birds (161 birds from line A and 141 birds from line B) were selected randomly and studied under two treatments of control and ascites. Body weight was measured at 7, 10 and 54 days of age. Moreover the body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were evaluated within 23 to 54 days of age. At 28, 35 and 42 days of age, the blood gas parameters and hematocrit value were evaluated. At the end of experiment in 54 days of age, all birds were slaughtered and the weight of heart, liver and spleen were measured. Moreover mortality resulted from ascites syndrome in total period experiment was recorded. The results of current study indicated that just body weight at 10 days of age was significant difference (P<0.01) between two paternal lines, so that it was higher in the ascites treatment group. Although the difference between two treatment for feed intake was significant (P<0.05) so that birds in the control group showed higher feed intake compared to ascites group, however the FCR values in whole period of experiment were similar in two treatment. There was no significant difference between birds in two group for internal organ weights like heart, liver and spleen, but right ventricle to total ventricle ratio as an indicator of ascites syndrome was higher (P<0.01) in the ascites group. Although birds in line B and in the ascites treatment showed significantly lower percentage of blood O2 saturation (P<0.05), however for other blood gas parameters and hematocrit value there was no significant difference between two treatment in both lines A and B.