Blood biochemistry and immune response in Aseel chicken under free range, semi-intensive, and confinement rearing systems

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of 3 different rearing systems [free range ( FR: ), semi-intensive ( SI: ), and confinement ( CF: )] on blood biochemical profile and immune response in 4 varieties of Aseel chicken [Lakha ( LK: ), Mushki ( MS: ), Peshawari ( PW: ) and Sindhi ( SN: )] for 10 wk duration (7 to 16 wk). At the age of 6 wk, in total, 180 cockerels were assigned to 12 treatment groups, 3 (rearing system) × 4 (Aseel chicken variety) factorial arrangement in 7 randomized complete blocks, replicated 3 times with 5 birds in each replicate (45 birds of each variety; 60 birds in each rearing system; 36 total replicates). Blood samples were collected through brachial vein at the end of wk 16. After laboratory analysis, the recorded data for blood biochemical profile and immune response were analyzed by using 2-way ANOVA under factorial arrangement. The results showed higher (P < 0.05) plasma glucose and total protein in birds under CF. Titer against Newcastle disease virus ( NDV: ) and infectious bronchitis virus ( IBV: ) was found to be greater (P < 0.05) in SI and FR, respectively. Peshawari birds indicated higher (P < 0.05) concentration of glucose, total protein, albumin, uric acid, creatinine, and titers to NDV and IBV. Birds of LK and SN varieties also indicated maximum antibody titer against NDV and IBV, respectively. Cholesterol level was found to be greater (P < 0.05) in birds of LK and SN. Interaction of SN with FR revealed maximum (P < 0.05) cholesterol whereas interaction of PW with SI indicated maximum antibody titer against NDV. The results highlight that CF rearing system expediently affects glucose and total protein levels in birds; SI and FR confer maximum antibody titers to NDV and IBV. Birds of PW variety indicated higher glucose, total protein, albumin, uric acid, and creatinine, the lowest cholesterol under FR and the enhanced antibody titer against NDV and IBV.

Effects of different rearing systems on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and serum biochemical parameters of Chaohu ducks

“…Our present study found that serum TP content was significantly improved by NRS, which may be linked with the lower exercise of birds under NRS because exercise can increase protein synthesis and result in total protein loss in blood (Rehman et al . ) and therefore was in accordance with decreased leg muscle and breast muscle percentage. High levels of TG and TC contents and low levels of HDL‐C content in serum are strongly associated with increased fat deposition (Zhang et al .…”

“…A previous study in chickens reported that serum glucose and total protein contents were significantly improved by CRS compared to a free range system (Rehman et al . ). Sun et al .…”

Effects of rearing systems on growth performance, carcass yield, meat quality, lymphoid organ indices, and serum biochemistry of Wannan Yellow chickens

“…A previous study had shown that the levels of glucose and plasma proteins under confinement rearing system were significantly higher than those under free‐range system (Rehman et al., ). Birds raised under FRS conditions have more exercise compared with those raised under CRS conditions, and exercise is known to induce the secretion of hormones, including insulin that can accelerate glucose metabolism in the blood (Rehman et al., ). In addition, birds raised in the CRS have higher levels of serum triglyceride and cholesterol and lower levels of HDL‐C than those raised in the FRS, which are all blood indicators that are closely related to fat deposition (Zhang, Luo, Yu, Chen,& Chen, ).…”

“…In the modern broiler industry, the increasing demand for higher chicken productivity and quality has stimulated innovations in rearing techniques, among which the rearing system has been identified as an important non‐genetic factor affecting broiler production and welfare (Li et al., ). Previous studies had reported that rearing systems played crucial roles in poultry production and quality (Michalczuk, Lukasiewicz, Zdanowska‐Sasiadek, & Niemiec, ; Rehman et al., ). The most widely and commonly used rearing systems are free‐range (FRS) and conventional cage‐rearing systems (CRS), and the chickens are raised under CRS conditions tending to show superior feed efficiency and growth performance (Wang et al., ).…”

“…It was reported that the meat flavor, chewiness, and overall acceptability of both the breast and thigh muscle of free‐range Taiwan game hens were significantly better than those of the cage and open‐floor reared birds (Lin, Kuo, & Wan, ). In addition, numerous studies had also found that the FRS had significant effects on carcass traits (Wang et al., ), serum biochemistry (Dong, Yin, Ma, Cao, & Dong, ), and immune response (Rehman et al., ) in chickens. In some European countries, free‐range rearing systems have been proposed by relevant regulatory authorities, with stipulations relating to limit the use of antibiotics and chemical additives, and an appropriate age for slaughter (Castellini et al., ).…”