Haematological and Biochemical changes of stunting syndrome in Broiler chicken

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to study the hematological and biochemical changes of stunting syndrome in broiler chicken from day old ( group I) and 3 weeks (group III) of age to 8 weeks of age in two phases along with group II and group IV as control. Birds were slaughtered at 3, 5 ,7 and 8 weeks of age and the blood samples were collected and analyzed. The mean PCV, Hb, TEC values were reduced significantly (P<0.01) in stunted birds. Increased AHC, AMC and ABC values along with decreased ALC values were obtained. Significantly (P<0.01) lower serum total protein values and increased serum Amylase ALP, AST and ALT activity were observed in stunted groups ( I and III) whereas blood glucose values among the groups were not significant. The decreased hematological and biochemical parameters in the present study indicates a decrease in the absorption and digestion of protein and damage to liver and intestines in stunting syndrome of broiler chicken.

Haematological Studies on Stunting Syndrome in Broilers

“…Generally leucocytes perform their appropriate functions in specific tissues and use the blood just as a vehicle for transit between site of formation, activity and storage. The values for total leucocyte count as obtained in present study were significantly higher than normal are in agreement with the studies of Rani et al (2011). The increase in WBCs could be due to many reasons including stress and infection (Otto et al, 2006).…”

“…If haemoglobin concentration of red blood cells is below the standard limit then anaemia is considered to be present (Turgeon, 1999). These results were found similar to the finding of Rani et al (2011) who found the decreased values of Hb and TEC and relate them with anaemic changes caused by malabsorption syndrome.…”

“…Reflecting their increased number in circulation eosinophils are considered haemeostatic regulators of inflammation (Reece, 2011). Eosinophils number was found higher in many types of parasitic disease and defence against these parasites, in present study the eosinophil count was found less than normal as studied by Rani et al (2011). The reason may be that the mechanism of tissue damaging as determined histopathological was higher as compared to the defences against parasites causing damages.…”

“…Absolute count for eosino Brittle bone disease, infectious proventriculitis and helicopter disease very often characterized in 2-15% birds with lower body weights and poor feathering at about 2 weeks of age (Rani et al, 2011);Jindal et al, 2009). …”

“…The overall mean values of mean packed cell volume (PCV), total erythrocyte count (TEC) and haemoglobin (Hb) were reduced significantly in stunting birds, suggesting some anemic changes caused by malabsorption. In contrary no changes were observed in PCV value in birds affected with Malabsorption Syndrome (MAS) as stated by Rani et al (2011). The TLC value did not differ significantly, however increased values of AMC, ABC and AHC with decreased levels of ALC were indicators of the infectious nature of the syndrome (Turgeon, 1999); therefore paleness of legs and beaks of affected chicks may be due to decreased Haemoglobin.…”