Witzel D A, Huff W E, Kubena L F, Harvey R B, Elissalde M H
USDA/ARS-Veterinary Toxicology and Entomology Research Laboratory, College Station, Texas 77841.
Poult Sci. 1990 May;69(5):741-5. doi: 10.3382/ps.0690741.
A method was developed to experimentally produce ascites in broiler chickens. High-altitude simulation (treatment group) was conducted to study the development of ascites in broiler chickens. In each of three experiments, 15 male broiler chicks (1 wk old) were placed in a hypobaric chamber (principal groups) for 5 wk and 15 other chicks were reared in batteries (control groups). Ascites occurred among chicks in the principal groups recorded at 13, 27, and 80% at simulated altitudes of 1,980, 2,438, and 2,896 m, respectively. No ascites were observed in the controls at 100 m (the altitude at College Station, Texas). Body weight was significantly (P less than .05) reduced for broilers in the principal groups versus the controls-especially at 2,896 m, where the principals weighed 500 g less than the controls. The counts for hematocrit, hemoglobin, and red blood cells were significantly (P less than .05) increased in all treatment groups; while at 2,438 and 2,896 m, corticosterone was significantly reduced. Histopathology indicated consistent, mild, cardiopulmonary lesions similar to those observed in the spontaneous ascites of broiler chickens. The high-altitude simulation model will be useful in studying the etiological factors and interactions causing ascites.
已开发出一种在肉鸡中通过实验产生腹水的方法。进行高海拔模拟（治疗组）以研究肉鸡腹水的发展情况。在三个实验中的每一个实验中，将15只雄性肉雏鸡（1周龄）置于低压舱中（主要组）5周，另外15只雏鸡在笼中饲养（对照组）。在模拟海拔1980米、2438米和2896米时，主要组雏鸡中腹水出现的比例分别为13%、27%和80%。在100米（德克萨斯州大学站的海拔高度）的对照组中未观察到腹水。与对照组相比，主要组肉鸡的体重显著降低（P<0.05），尤其是在2896米处，主要组肉鸡比对照组轻500克。所有治疗组的血细胞比容、血红蛋白和红细胞计数均显著增加（P<0.05）；而在2438米和2896米处，皮质酮显著降低。组织病理学显示出与肉鸡自发性腹水相似的一致、轻度心肺病变。高海拔模拟模型将有助于研究导致腹水的病因因素和相互作用。
