[en] A hypothesis was tested that providing the breeder hens with exogenous thyroxine (T(4)) would help their offspring to better survive the ascites-inducing condition during the growing period. In total, 132 broiler breeder hens were randomly assigned to one of 3 treatments: control (CON), hypothyroid [HYPO; 6-N-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU)-treated], and hyperthyroid (HYPER; T(4)-treated). The hens were artificially inseminated, and the hatching eggs (n = 1,320) were incubated. No eggs in the HYPO group hatched. The 1-d-old male chicks (n = 288) from other groups were reared for 42 d under standard or low ambient temperature to induce ascites. Blood samples were drawn from the hens, embryos, and broilers for determination of T(4) and triiodothyronine (T(3)). The hematocrit was also determined in broilers. The PTU-treated hens had an increased BW along with lower plasma T(3) and T(4) concentrations. Plasma T(4) was higher in the HYPER hens compared with CON hens, but T(3) concentration was not different between these groups. The fertility rate was not affected by either hypo- or hyperthyroidism. The embryos in the HYPO group had lower plasma T(3) and T(4) concentrations at d 18 of embryonic development and internal pipping. Higher plasma T(4) was recorded in the HYPER birds at internal pipping, although plasma T(3) concentration was not affected at this stage. Maternal hyperthyroidism decreased the overall incidence of ascites in the cold-exposed chickens (10.0 vs. 33.4% for HYPER and CON groups, respectively). Although the effect of maternal PTU or T(4) treatment on plasma thyroid hormones and on the right ventricle-to-total ventricular weight ratio in the broilers was not significant, the cold-exposed healthy CON chicks showed higher hematocrit values, compared with the HYPER birds. It was concluded that maternal hyperthyroidism could decrease the incidence of cold-induced ascites in broiler chickens; however, probable causal mechanisms remain to be elucidated.
Disciplines :
Animal production & animal husbandry
Author, co-author :
Akhlaghi, A; Department of Animal Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. aakhlaghi@shirazu.ac.ir
Zamiri, M J; Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, 71441-65186 Shiraz, Iran
Zare Shahneh, A; Department of Animal Science, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, 31587-77871 Karaj, Iran
Jafari Ahangari, Y; Faculty of Animal Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, 49189-43464 Gorgan, Iran
Nejati Javaremi, A; Department of Animal Science, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, 31587-77871 Karaj, Iran
Rahimi Mianji, G; Department of Animal Science, Sari Agricultural Science and Natural Resources University, 48177-36781 Sari, Iran
Mollasalehi, M R; Babolkenar Arian Line Breeding Center, 47561-64397 Babolkenar, Iran
Shojaie, H; Babolkenar Arian Line Breeding Center, 47561-64397 Babolkenar, Iran
Akhlaghi, A A; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 21889-89127 Tehran, Iran
Deldar, H; Department of Animal Science, Sari Agricultural Science and Natural Resources University, 48177-36781 Sari, Iran
Atashi, Hadi ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT > Animal Sciences (AS) ; Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, 71441-65186 Shiraz, Iran
Ansari Pirsaraei, Z; Department of Animal Science, Sari Agricultural Science and Natural Resources University, 48177-36781 Sari, Iran
Zhandi, M; Department of Animal Science, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, 31587-77871 Karaj, Iran
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