Clinical pathologic changes in experimentally induced ascites syndrome in broilers

The aim of this study is to survey the clinical and pathological changes in ascites syndrome of broilers. While there are reports regarding clinicao pathological changes in other diseases of avian, the only studies were done concerning ascites syndrome were about the changes in the amount of hematocrite, hemoglobin and the number of red blood cells. Study was conduct on 300 ROSS breed chickens in 3 groups including: Control, T3-consumer, Cold-kept.The T3 hormone and cold weather were applied to induced ascites syndrome in chickens. The incidence of ascites was investigated using parameters such as mortality rate, necropsy findings, serum activity of liver enzymes and hematological factors. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS package and results were expressed as mean±SD. Significance of differences was evaluated by multivariant analysis. 24 chickens of T3-consuming and cold-kept groups died due to ascites (11/4%). Necropsy revealed disorders like: Hydro peritoneum, hydro pericardium, sever hyperemia in muscle and lungs, cardiac hypertrophy and swelling of kidneys and liver. The weight ratio of right ventricle to total ventricles on 39 and 46 days age increased significantly in treated groups compared with control. The number of RBC did not show significant increase in treated groups compare with control. The amount of hematocrite and hemoglobin in treated groups significantly increased on 11 and 32 days age respectively in comparison with control group. A significant increase in serum enzyme activity (ALT, AST) was observed on 21-day age in treated groups compare with control group. The results indicate that clinico pathological changes are helpful in diagnosis broilers ascites syndrome.