Evaluation of the hematological and clinical biochemical markers of stress in broiler chickens

Abstract

Background and Aim: Stress significantly affects health and productivity of animals. There is need for affordable and easy-to-assay markers of physiological stress in broilers. This study evaluated hematological and serum biochemical markers of physiologic stress in broiler chickens. Materials and Methods: Thirty day-old broiler chickens were assigned to three groups of ten broilers each during the 56-day study. Group 1 broilers served as the control and were not exposed to any stressors; Group 2 broilers were stocked at the stress density of 50 kg BW m–2 from day 49 to 56 while Group 3 broilers had their feed withdrawn 36 h before blood collection on day 56. Blood samples were collected on day 49 (pre-stress sample) and day 56 (post-stress sample) from all the birds and subjected to hematological and serum biochemical analysis. Results: The parameters did not vary significantly (p>0.05) pre-stress. Post-stress, there were significant variations in the heterophil, lymphocyte, and eosinophil counts and in the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio across the three groups. The concentrations of the plasma fibrinogen and serum albumins, sodium, and sodium to potassium ratio of the broilers varied significantly across the groups. Conclusion: Heterophil, eosinophil, and lymphocyte counts, the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, plasma fibrinogen, serum albumin, sodium, and sodium to potassium ratio are significant markers of physiological stress in broilers.

Effect of encapsulated Cosmos caudatus leaf extract on the physiological conditions, immune competency, and antioxidative status of broilers at high stocking density

“…By contrast, our present findings showed that a high stocking density could be associated with increased levels of leukocytes and lymphocytes in broilers. Similar to our results, Nwaigwe et al (2020) showed an increase in leukocytes and lymphocytes with increasing stocking density stress. The researchers thus suggested that stress due to a high stocking density may increase the activity of noradrenaline, which can activate the generation of hematopoietic stem cells, especially leukocytes.…”

“…The present study clearly showed that the serum concentration of albumin is higher in chicks raised at a high stocking density than in those reared at a low stocking density. Similar to our findings, Nwaigwe et al (2020) and Jeong et al (2020) revealed that serum albumin concentrations increase in broilers reared at a high stocking density. Indeed, an increase in serum albumin level is a good indicator of physiological stress in broiler chickens (Nwaigwe et al, 2020).…”

“…Similar to our findings, Nwaigwe et al (2020) and Jeong et al (2020) revealed that serum albumin concentrations increase in broilers reared at a high stocking density. Indeed, an increase in serum albumin level is a good indicator of physiological stress in broiler chickens (Nwaigwe et al, 2020). Broilers appear to use increases in serum albumin as a means to maintain their metabolic balance in response to high stocking density-induced stress (Tóthová et al, 2019).…”

Serum clinical biochemical markers of Hy-Line W-36 laying hens under the influence of increased stocking densities in cages of multilevel batteries

“…Leukocyte formula (El-Lethey et al, 2000;Jiang et al, 2017;Liew & Kubes, 2019) and the concentration of hormones in the blood (Scanes, 2016;Weimer et al, 2018) are usually used to diagnose stress, as well as the characteristics of hens' adaptation processes. Recently, some biochemical markers of blood serum have been actively used in poultry (Nwaigwe et al, 2020;Ruiz-Jimenez et al, 2021), which, in contrast to the leukocyte formula and hormonal status, allow us to describe the general physiological state of the body, adaptation processes (Kraus et al, 2021) and diagnose metabolic disorders of organs and tissues (Kudair & Al-hussary, 2010;Koronowicz et al, 2016). In general, serum biochemical markers are indicators of hens' health and reflect any physiological or even pathological changes occurring in their body (Koronowicz et al, 2016).…”

Clinical-biochemical status of hens due to changes of battery cages height location

“…Відомо, що під час стресу у курей напружується діяльність усіх систем організму, яка спрямовується на самозахист і пристосування до нових умов існування (Olubodun et al, 2015;Infante et al, 2017;Shevchuk et al, 2018). Останнім часом для діагностики стресових станів у птиці почали активно використовувати деякі біохімічні параметри сироватки крові (Nwaigwe et al, 2020;Ruiz-Jimenez et al,2021), які, на відміну від лейкоцитарної формули та гормонального статусу, дозволяють описати загальний фізіологічний стан організму, процеси адаптації (Kraus et al, 2021) та діагностувати метаболічні порушення органів і тканин (Al-Hussary & Kudair, 2010;Koronowicz et al, 2016). Загалом, біохімічні параметри сироватки крові є надійними показниками стану здоров'я курей і відображають будь-які фізіологічні чи навіть патологічні зміни, що відбуваються в їх організмі (Koronowicz et al, 2016).…”