The aim of this study was to assess stress response of broilers to different periods of shackling. Stress effects of shackling were monitored in a group of male Ross 308 broilers (total number: 400) aged 42 d. Three shackling treatments were used in our experiment: shackling of broilers for 30 s (group T30), 60 s (group T60), and 120 s (group T120). Corticosterone plasma concentration was elevated in T60 broilers (P<0.05) and in T120 birds (P<0.01); glucose plasma concentration was increased (P<0.05) in both T60 and T120 broilers when compared with nonshackled control. Lactate concentrations increased in T30 birds (P<0.05) and in both T60 and T120 birds (P<0.01). Furthermore, T120 broilers exhibited an increase (P<0.01) in heterophil counts and heterophil:lymphocyte ratio. Duration of tonic immobility was increased (P<0.05) in T60 and T120 broilers. Number of attempts to induce tonic immobility decreased (P<0.01) in all test groups (T30, T60, T120). Duration of shackling period was positively correlated (P<0.001) with corticosterone, glucose and lactate level, tonic immobility duration, and heterophil:lymphocyte ratio. The number of inductions was negatively correlated (P<0.001) with duration of the shackling period. According to the results of our study, the act of shackling is a considerable traumatic procedure for broilers, and its stress effect is markedly dependent on duration of shackling period that the broiler chickens experience. It follows from our study that the optimal shackling period should be less than 60 s.

Stress effects from acute noise exposure were monitored in a group of ROSS 308 broiler chickens (n = 80), aged 42 days. The experiment simulated slaughterhouse sounds to which the broilers were exposed for 10 min in the test enclosure. Effects of acute noise exposure at two different levels (80 dB and 100 dB) were evaluated on the basis of examinations of selected biochemical plasma indicators and tonic immobility tests. Noise stimuli of both 80 dB and 100 dB intensities for 10 min induced a significant elevation in plasma corticosterone levels. Broilers that were exposed to noise stimuli of 100 dB also exhibited a significant increase in the cholesterol level and total protein level. Exposure to noise stimuli did not influence the glucose level and triglyceride concentrations. The duration of tonic immobility was not affected by noise stimuli in our experiment. However, noise exposure at a 100 dB level decreased the number of attempts to induce tonic immobility in broilers.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of subchronic exposure to atrazine on fish growth and the development of histopathological changes in selected organs (gill, kidney, liver) in Danio rerio. Juvenile growth tests were performed on D. rerio according to OECD method No. 215. For 28 days, fish at an initial age of 30 days were exposed to the environmental atrazine concentration commonly detected in Czech rivers (0.3 μg/L) and a range of sublethal concentrations of atrazine (3.0, 30.0 and 90.0 μg/L). The results showed decreasing growth rates and morphological changes in the liver (dystrophic lesions of hepatocytes) at 90.0 μg/L of atrazine. The environmental concentration of atrazine in Czech rivers did not have any effect on fish growth and development of histopathological changes in D. rerio. The value of NOEC was 30.0 μg/L and the value of LOEC was 90.0 μg/L.

The development of selected haematological and biochemical parameters during the laying period was monitored in common pheasant hens housed in an enhanced cage system. The cages were enhanced by the addition of two perches and a shelter formed by strips of cloth hanging in the corner of the cage. The results showed significant changes in the haematological and biochemical parameters monitored during egg laying. At the time when laying capacity approached a maximum, a decrease was observed (P < 0.05) in haematocrit, erythrocytes, and haemoglobin values, whereas monocytes, eosinophils, the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, phosphorus, and calcium exhibited an increase (P < 0.05). At the end of the laying period, an increase (P < 0.05) was recorded in the count of leukocytes, heterophils, lymphocytes and basophils, the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, and the concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, cholesterol, phosphorus, and calcium, whereas lower values (P < 0.05) were recorded for haematocrit and plasma total protein in comparison with the values of the indicators at the beginning of the laying period. The results provide new information about dynamic changes in selected haematological and biochemical parameters in clinically healthy common pheasant hens during the laying period.

The effects of varying periods of pre-sampling handling (1.5 min, 3 min, 4.5 min, 6 min) on selected biochemical indices were monitored in a group of 8-9-month-old common pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) kept at a pheasantry in Jinačovice, Czech Republic. The duration of pheasant handling (capture, restraint, and blood sampling) was positively correlated with plasma corticosterone (p < 0.001) and lactate (p < 0.05) levels. Negative correlations were found between the handling duration and glucose concentration (p < 0.01), and aspartate aminotransferase level (p < 0.05) in the blood plasma. A significant increase in corticosterone plasma concentrations and a decrease in glucose plasma concentrations were already found in blood samples taken after 3 min of capture in comparison to blood samples of pheasants taken within 1.5 min.