Article (Scientific journals)
Thermal manipulation of the embryo modifies the physiology and body composition of broiler chickens reared in floor pens without affecting breast meat processing quality.
Loyau, T.; Berri, C.; Bedrani, L. et al.
2013In Journal of Animal Science, 91 (8), p. 3674-85
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
 

Files


Full Text
Loyau et al 2013 J Anim Sci.pdf
Publisher postprint (1.21 MB)
Request a copy

All documents in ORBi are protected by a user license.

Send to



Details



Keywords :
body composition; broiler chicken; heat stress; meat quality; respiratory physiology; thermal manipulation of embryos
Abstract :
[en] Selection in broiler chickens has increased muscle mass without similar development of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, resulting in limited ability to sustain high ambient temperatures. The aim of this study was to determine the long-lasting effects of heat manipulation of the embryo on the physiology, body temperature (Tb), growth rate and meat processing quality of broiler chickens reared in floor pens. Broiler chicken eggs were incubated in control conditions (37.8 degrees C, 56% relative humidity; RH) or exposed to thermal manipulation (TM; 12 h/d, 39.5 degrees C, 65% RH) from d 7 to 16 of embryogenesis. This study was planned in a pedigree design to identify possible heritable characters for further selection of broiler chickens to improve thermotolerance. Thermal manipulation did not affect hatchability but resulted in lower Tb at hatching and until d 28 post-hatch, with associated changes in plasma thyroid hormone concentrations. At d 34, chickens were exposed to a moderate heat challenge (5 h, 32 degrees C). Greater O2 saturation and reduced CO2 partial pressure were observed (P < 0.05) in the venous blood of TM than in that of control chickens, suggesting long-term respiratory adaptation. At slaughter age, TM chickens were 1.4% lighter and exhibited 8% less relative abdominal fat pad than controls. Breast muscle yield was enhanced by TM, especially in females, but without significant change in breast meat characteristics (pH, color, drip loss). Plasma glucose/insulin balance was affected (P < 0.05) by thermal treatments. The heat challenge increased the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio in controls (P < 0.05) but not in TM birds, possibly reflecting a lower stress status in TM chickens. Interestingly, broiler chickens had moderate heritability estimates for the plasma triiodothyronine/thyroxine concentration ratio at d 28 and comb temperature during the heat challenge on d 34 (h(2) > 0.17). In conclusion, TM of the embryo modified the physiology of broilers in the long term as a possible adaptation for heat tolerance, without affecting breast meat quality. This study highlights the value of 2 new heritable characters involved in thermoregulation for further broiler selection.
Disciplines :
Animal production & animal husbandry
Author, co-author :
Loyau, T.
Berri, C.
Bedrani, L.
Metayer-Coustard, S.
Praud, C.
Duclos, M. J.
Tesseraud, S.
Rideau, N.
Everaert, Nadia ;  KU Leuven > Department of Biosystems > Division Livestock-Nutrition-Quality
Yahav, S.
Mignon-Grasteau, S.
Collin, A.
Language :
English
Title :
Thermal manipulation of the embryo modifies the physiology and body composition of broiler chickens reared in floor pens without affecting breast meat processing quality.
Publication date :
2013
Journal title :
Journal of Animal Science
ISSN :
0021-8812
eISSN :
1525-3163
Publisher :
American Society of Animal Science, United States - Illinois
Volume :
91
Issue :
8
Pages :
3674-85
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Available on ORBi :
since 13 December 2013

Statistics


Number of views
55 (3 by ULiège)
Number of downloads
0 (0 by ULiège)

Scopus citations®
 
88
Scopus citations®
without self-citations
74
OpenCitations
 
75

Bibliography


Similar publications



Contact ORBi