Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T00:22:57.188Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Ascites in broiler chickens: exogenous and endogenous structural and functional causal factors*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2007

E. Decuypere ,
J. Buyse  and
N. Buys
E. Decuypere
Affiliation:
Laboratory for Physiology and Immunology of Domestic Animals, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences, K.U. Leuven, Kardinaal Mercierlaan 92, B-3001 Leuven, Belgiumand
J. Buyse
Affiliation:
Laboratory for Physiology and Immunology of Domestic Animals, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences, K.U. Leuven, Kardinaal Mercierlaan 92, B-3001 Leuven, Belgiumand
N. Buys
Affiliation:
Seghersgentec, Kapellebaan 15, 9255 Buggenhout, Belgium
Get access

Abstract

Broiler chickens and laying hens are intensively selected for productive traits. The management of these highly productive animals must be optimal to allow their full genetic potential to be expressed. If this is not done, inefficient production and several metabolic diseases become apparent. The causes of the latter are multifactorial but diet and, particularly, interactions between diet, other environmental and genetic factors play an important role. An imbalance between oxygen supply and the oxygen required to sustain rapid growth rates and high food efficiencies causes ascites in broiler chickens. It is clear that several nutritional factors, the amount of food given, its physical form and the composition of the diet have a major impact on the occurrence of ascites and sudden death syndrome in broiler chickens. Furthermore, the possible involvement of structural endogenous factors such as proportional changes in the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, shifts in the glyco1ytic:oxidative muscle metabolism ratio, and structural changes within the lung capillary system cannot be excluded. In addition, functional causal factors, such as the hypothyroid state associated with decreased maintenance metabolism as a result of the selection for fast growth rate and improved food efficiency, are likely to be involved. Both structural and functional causal mechanisms may already be initiated during the embryonic stage.

Keywords

Functional factorsmetabolic diseasesnutritionpoultrystructural factors
Type
Research Article
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 56 , Issue 4 , December 2000 , pp. 367 - 377
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Acar, N., Sizemore, F.G., Leach, G.R., Wideman, R.F., Owen, R.L. and Barbato, G.F. (1995) Growth of broiler chickens in response to feed restriction regimes to reduce ascites. Poultry Science 74: 833–843CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Albers, G. and Frankenhuis, M.T. (1990) Ascites, a high altitude disease in the lowlands. Poultry Misset 6: 24–25Google Scholar
Albers, G., Barranon, A., Zurito, B. and Ortiz, C. (1990) Correct feed restriction prevents ascites. Poultry Misset 6: 2–3Google Scholar
Ashgar, H.S. (1989) Pakistan is mystified by hydropericardium syndrome. Poultry Misset 3: 35–37Google Scholar
Barbut, S. (1997a) Occurrence of pale soft exudative meat in mature turkey hens. British Poultry Science 38: 74–77CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Barbut, S. (1997b) The problem of pale soft exudative meat in broiler chickens. British Poultry Science 38: 355–358CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Blair, R., Newberry, R.C. and Gardiner, E.E. (1993) Effects of lighting pattern and dietary tryptophan supplementation on growth and mortality of broilers. Poultry Science 72: 495–502CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bottje, W.B. and Wideman, R.F. (1995) Potential role of free radicals in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension syndrome. Poultry and Avian Biology Reviews 6: 221–231Google Scholar
Buys, N., Bartha, T., Buyse, J., Albers, G.A.A. and Decuypere, E. (1993) Effect of dietary T3 supplementation on ascites incidence in an ascites-sensitive and-resistant broiler line: influence on liver deiodination activity and on hormonal profiles in plasma, pericardial and abdominal ascitic fluid. Proceedings of the 9th Symposium on Poultry Nufrifion,Jelenia Góra,Poland, pp. 462–467Google Scholar
Buys, N., Dewil, E. and Decuypere, E. (1997) Embryonic characteristics and incubation conditions influence susceptibility to the ascites syndrome. XIth International Congress of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, Budapest, Hungary p. 139Google Scholar
Buys, N., Buyse, J., Hassanzadeh-Ladmakhi, M. and Decuypere, E. (1998a) Intermittent lighting reduces the incidence of ascites in broilers: an interaction with protein content of feed on performance and the endocrine system. Poultry Science 77: 54–61CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Buys, N., Dewil, E., Gonzales, E. and Decuypere, E. (1998b) Different CO2 levels during incubation interact with hatching time and ascites susceptibility in two broiler lines selected for different growth rate. Avian Pathology 27: 605–612CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Buys, N., Scheele, C.W., Kwakernaak, C., Van Der Klis, J.D. and Decuypere, E. (1999a) Performance and physiological variables in broiler chicken lines differing in susceptibility to the ascites svndrome. 1. Changes in blood gases as a function of ambient temperature. British Poultry Science 65: 135–139CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Buys, N.. Scheele, C.W.. Kwakernaak, C. and Decuypere, E. (1999b) Performance and physiological variables in broiler chicken lines differing in susceptibility to the ascites syndrome. 2. Effect of ambient temperature on partial efficiencies of protein and fat retention and plasma hormone concentrations. British Poultry Science 40: 140–144CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Buyse, J., Decuypere, E. and Michels, H. (1994) Intermittent lighting and broiler production. II. Effect on energy and nitrogen metabolism. Archiv für Geflügelkunde 57: 69–74Google Scholar
Buyse, J., Zoons, J. and Decuypere, E. (1996) The application of intermittent lighting schedules for broiler rearing: a review. Proceedings of the xx World's Poultry Congress, Volume II,New Delhi, India, pp. 747–75Google Scholar
Chineme, C.N., Buyse, J., Buys, N., Hassanzadeh-Ladmakhi, M., Albers, G.A.A. and Decuypere, E. (1995) Interaction of genotype, egg shell conductance and dietary T, supplementation in the development of heart failure syndrome and ascites in broiler chickens. Archiu Für Geflügelkunde 59: 129–134Google Scholar
Coleman, M.A. and Coleman, G.E. (1991) Ascites control through proper hatchery management. Poultry Misset 7: 33–35Google Scholar
Cueva, S., Sillau, H., Valenzuela, A., and Ploog, H. (1974) High altitude induced pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure in broiler chickens. Research in Veterinary Science 16: 370–374CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dale, N. (1990) Dietary factors that influence ascites syndrome in broilers. Feedstuffs (December): 14–16Google Scholar
Da Silva, J.M.L., Dale, N. and Luchesi, J.B. (1988) Effect of pelleted feed on the incidence of ascites in broilers reared at low altititude. Avian Diseases 32: 376–378CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Decuypere, E., Vega, C., Bartha, T., Buyse, J., Zoons, J. and Albers, G.A.A. (1994) Increased sensitivity to triiodothyronine (T3) of broiler lines with a high susceptibility for ascites. British Poultry Science 35: 287–297CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dewil, E., Buys, N., Albers, G.A.A. and Decuypere, E. (1996) Different characteristics in chick embryos of two broiler lines differing in susceptibility to ascites. British Poultry Science 37: 1003–1013CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Diaz-Cruz, A., Nava, C., Villaneuve, R., Serret, M., Guinzberg, R. and Pina, E. (1996) Hepatic and cardiac oxidative stress and other metabolic changes in broilers with the ascites syndrome. Poultry Science 75: 900–903CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Enkvetchakul, B., Bottje, W., Anthony, N. and Moore, R. (1993) Compromised antioxidant status associated with ascites in broilers. Poultry Science 72: 2272–2280CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gonzales, E., Buyse, J., Loddi, M.M., Takita, T.S., Buys, N. and Decuypere, E. (1998) Performance, incidence of metabolic disturbances and endocrine variables of food-restricted male broiler chickens. British Poultry Science 39: 671–678CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hassanzadeh-Ladmakhi, M., Buys, N., Dewil, E., Rahimi, G. and Decuypere, E. (1997) The prophylactic effect of vitamin C supplementation on broiler ascites incidence and plasma thyroid hormone concentrations. Avian Pathology 26: 33–44CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hocquette, J.F., Ortigues-Marty, I., Pethick, D., Herpin, P. and Fernandez, X. (1998) Nutritional and hormonal regulation of energy metabolism in skeletal muscles of meat-producing animals. Livestock Production Science 56: 115–143CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Julian, R.J. (1993) Ascites in poultry (review article). Avian Pathology 22: 419–454CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Julian, R.J., McMillan, I. and Quinton, M. (1989) The effect of cold and dietary energy on right ventricular hypertrophy, right ventricular failure and ascites in meat type chickens. Avian Pathology 18: 675–684CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Maxwell, M.H., Robertson, G.W. and Moseley, D. (1995) Serum troponin T values in two strains of commercial broilers aged one to 56 days. Research in Veterinary Science 58: 244–247CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nir, I., Nitsan, Z., Dunnington, E.A. and Siegel, P.B. (1996) Aspects of food intake restriction in young domestic fowl: metabolic and genetic considerations. World's Poultry Science Journal 52: 251–266CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ono, Y., Iwamoto, H. and Takahara, H. (1993) The relationship between muscle growth and the growth of different fiber types in the chicken. Poultry Science 72: 568–576.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Peacock, A.J., Picket, C.K., Morris, K.M. and Reeves, J.T. (1990) Spontaneous hypoxemia and right ventricular hypertrophy in fast growing broiler chickens reared at sea level. Comparative Biochemistry & Physiology 97A: 537–541CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reeves, J.T., Ballam, G., Hofmeister, S., Piclett, C., Morris, K. and Peacock, A. (1991) Improved arterial oxygenation with feed restriction in rapidly growing broiler chickens. Comparative Biochemistry & Physiology 99A: 481–495CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Remignon, H., Desrosiers, V. and Marche, H. (1996) Influence of increasing breast meat yield on muscle histology and meat quality in the chicken. Reproduction, Nutrition and Development 36: 523–530CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Scheele, C.M. and Frankenhuis, M.T. (1989) Stimulation of the metabolic rate in broilers and the occurrence of metabolic disorders. In: Energy Metabolism of Farm Animals (Van der Honing, Y. and Close, W.H., Eds), European Association of Animal Production, No 43, pp. 251–255Google Scholar
Scheele, C.W., De Wit, W., Frankenhuis, M.T. and Vereijken, P.F.G. (1991) Ascites in broilers. 1. Experimental factors evoking symptoms related to ascites. Poultry Science 70: 1069–1083CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Scheele, C.W., Decuypere, E., Vereijken, P.F.G. and Schreurs, F.J.G. (1992) Ascites in broilers. 2. Disturbances in the hormonal regulation of metabolic rate and fat metabolism. Poultry Science 71: 1971–1984.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schlosberg, A., Berman, E., Bendheim, V. and Plavnik, I. (1991) Controlled early feed restriction as a potential means of reducing the incidence of ascites in broilers. Avian Diseases 35: 681–684CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schlosberg, A., Pano, G., Handji, J. and Berman, E. (1992) Prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of ascites in broiler chickens. British Poultry Science 33: 141–148CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Soike, D. and Bergmann, V. (1998) Comparison of skeletal muscle in chickens bred for meat or egg production. 11. Histochemical and morphometric examination. Zentralblad Veterinarmedicin A 45: 169–174CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Visschedijk, A.H.J. (1968) The air space and embryonic respiration. 3. The balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air space of the incubating chicken egg and its role in stimulating pipping. British Poultry Science 9: 197–210CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed