[Effect of short-term thermal loads on tissue respiration of skeletal muscles and internal organs of chickens during hypokinesia].

The effect of high temperature (35 degrees C) on the gas exchange and tissue respiration of skeletal muscles and viscera of 47 chickens weighing 1100-1700 g was investigated on hypokinesia days 1, 20, 40 and 60. After 2 hour thermal exposure the rate of oxidative processes decreased, particularly on day 40. Oxygen consumption by femur, chest, neck and heart muscles decreased and that by back muscles did not change on hypokinesia days 30 and 60. Carbon dioxide production by various muscles was lower on day 20 and unchanged on day 60. The respiration quotient of the skeletal muscles and viscera increased on hypokinesia days 1 and 60. It can therefore be concluded that thermal exposure combined with hypokinesia produces not only quantitative but also qualitative metabolic changes.