Time course changes in selected biochemical indices of broilers in response to pretransport handling

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to assess the stress response of broilers to catching and pretransport handling followed by different periods of crating. The short-term changes in selected biochemical indices were monitored at 1-min intervals within 10 min of crating after the catching and handling of broilers (experiment 1). These indices were further monitored at 15-min intervals for 2 h of crating after the catching and handling of broilers (experiment 2). Increased (P < 0.001) corticosterone concentrations were observed immediately after the broilers were caught, handled, and placed in crates. They continued to increase until 7 min after crating and then slowly decreased, but even at 120 min after handling, corticosterone concentrations were higher (P < 0.001) in crated broilers than in control broilers. In addition, lactate concentrations increased (P < 0.001) immediately in comparison with those of broilers with no additional handling except for catching and blood sampling, but 15 min later, the lactate concentrations had decreased to the precrating level. Lactate dehydrogenase concentrations increased (P = 0.042) 30 min after crating and continued to increase for the rest of the monitored period. A decreased level of cholesterol (P = 0.017) and increased concentration of uric acid (P = 0.041) were found 1 min after crating. The decrease in cholesterol was visible up to 9 min after crating; it then returned to its original value except for the period from 75 to 90 min after crating, when a decrease (P < 0.05) was again detected. Higher (P < 0.01) concentrations of uric acid were found continuously from 4 to 75 min after crating. Glucose concentrations were increased (P = 0.017) 2 min after crating, but the stress-induced increase was not consistent over the course of the next few minutes after crating. Glucose concentrations were not different from those of control broilers from 10 to 120 min after crating, although they showed a decreasing pattern. A decrease (P = 0.031) in triglyceride concentrations was detected 75 min after crating.

Road transport of cattle, swine and poultry in North America and its impact on animal welfare, carcass and meat quality: A review

“…On the contrary, Kannan et al (1997) did not observe any effect of different crating durations on plasma corticosterone concentrations, yet they suggested that holding broilers for 4 h in a dark, quiet place after transportation could reduce stress responses. Glucose concentrations were reported to increase for 2 min following the crating, but decreased thereafter to similar values of the control birds (Voslarova et al, 2011).…”

“…However, Nijdam et al (2005b) reported higher corticosterone levels after transportation, shackling, and stunning (115%) compared to immediately after catching (75%). Voslarova et al (2011) showed a continued increase in corticosterone levels for 7 min after placing birds into the crates, where it started to decrease, but not to the values of the non-crated birds even after 2 h. Chloupek et al (2008) reported a 3-fold increase in corticosterone concentration after a 4-h crating period. On the contrary, Kannan et al (1997) did not observe any effect of different crating durations on plasma corticosterone concentrations, yet they suggested that holding broilers for 4 h in a dark, quiet place after transportation could reduce stress responses.…”

“…Many studies have reported that catching and loading prior to transportation place more stress upon the birds than transportation itself (Ritz et al, 2005;Voslarova et al, 2011;Vosmerova et al, 2010). Immediate increase in the level of corticosterone and its highest levels has been reported right after catching and crating (Voslarova et al, 2011;Vosmerova et al, 2010).…”

“…Concentrations of some hormones, enzymes or metabolites such as cortisol, corticosterone, creatine kinase and glucose could be indicative of the level of stress and muscle damage in broilers (Nijdam et al, 2005a(Nijdam et al, , 2005bSavenije, Lambooij, Gerritzen, Venema, & Korf, 2002;Voslarova et al, 2011;Vosmerova et al, 2010;Zhang et al, 2009). Transportation time could significantly affect plasma glucose level (Vosmerova et al, 2010;Zhang et al, 2009) and breast muscle glycogen level (Zhang et al, 2009).…”

Effect of Embryo Thermal Stimulation on the Serum Levels of Immunoglobulins and Corticosterone, and Organ Histopathology of 1 day-old Broilers

“…It is well established that serum corticosterone levels are directly related to stress intensity (Voslarova et al, 2011), and therefore, should be determined when evaluating the effects of thermal stress. Moreover, corticosterone is also a critical endogenous factor affecting overall embryo metabolism and behavior (Tong et al, 2013).…”