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الإضاءة المتقطعة تقلل من نسبة حدوث الاستسقاء في دجاج التسمين
الإضاءة المتقطعة تقلل من نسبة حدوث الاستسقاء في دجاج التسمين
ABSTRACT An experiment with 840 day-old male from 10 randomly chosen birds per experimental group
broiler chicks (Ross) was initiated to investigate the for measurements of growth hormone (GH), thyroid
effect of intermittent lighting schedules, combined with hormones [thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)],
two isocaloric feeds differing in protein content, on and hematocrit values.
ascites mortality. At 9 d of age, chicks were randomly Birds reared in IL manifested a more concave growth
distributed over two rooms: one room with a 23 h trajectory than those in CL, which was associated with a
light(L):1 h dark (D) lighting schedule (CL), and another lower FCR and higher plasma GH levels during the
room with an intermittent lighting schedule (IL, 1L:3D). finisher period. Mortality due to ascites was markedly
In each room, two isocaloric feeds differing in CP increased by dietary T3 supplementation. In hyper-
content, supplemented or not supplemented with 1.5 thyroid chickens, ascites mortality was lower in IL than
ppm triiodothyronine (T3), were provided. The experi- in CL and lower in birds fed normal protein than in
ment was repeated under identical conditions except those fed subnormal protein levels. Dietary T3 decreased
that lighting schedules were changed between rooms. plasma GH and T4 levels, whereas T3 levels were
From Day 14 onwards, biweekly growth and feed intake increased. It is concluded that IL or a higher protein
were determined and feed conversion (FCR) was content of the feed reduces the incidence of T3-induced
calculated. Daily mortality was recorded and necropsies ascites mortality. Possible causal mechanisms are dis-
were performed. Weekly blood samples were taken cussed.
(Key words: ascites, broiler, intermittent light, hormones, mortality)
1998 Poultry Science 77:54–61
Received for publication February 24, 1997. Abbreviation Key: C = chicken; CL = continuous light; D = dark;
Accepted for publication August 14, 1997. FCR = feed conversion ratio; GH = growth hormone; IL = intermittent
1 To whom correspondence should be addressed: nadine. light; L = light; T3 = triiodothyronine; T4 = thyroxine; TRH = thyroid
buys@agr.kuleuven.ac.be releasing hormone.
54
INTERMITTENT LIGHT REDUCES ASCITES INCIDENCE 55
TABLE 1. Composition of experimental feeds experiment was repeated under identical conditions,
except that lighting schedules were exchanged between
Ingredients and analyses B1 diet B2 diet
rooms. Starting dates were 17 February and 13 May 1994.
Ingredients (%) The design thus was a 2 · 2 · 2 factorial experiment with
Wheat 31.00 32.00 lighting schedule (IL or CL), feed (B1 or B2), and treatment
Peas 20.00 0
Soybean meal 10.40 23.50
(control or T3 supplemented) as factors (seven repetitions
Tapioca 8.60 10.20 per group per experiment).
Sorghum 7.00 7.00
Rape seed 6.60 9.00
Animal fat 6.00 6.00 Measurements
Animal meal 6.00 6.00
Fish meal 3.00 3.00 From Day 9 onwards and repeated every 2 wk (Days 9,
Sunflower meal 0 2.30 14, 28, and 42), chickens were weighed on a pen basis and
Vitamin and mineral premix 0.60 0.60
L-lysine 0.50 0 biweekly growth and feed intake was determined. Feed
DL-methionine 0.35 0.21 conversion was calculated on a pen basis. Daily mortality
Limestone 0.30 0.30 was recorded and necropsies were performed. Scores
Calculated analysis were given for hydropericardia, heart dilation, liver
CP 20.50 23.50
CF 11.00 12.00
cirrhosis, and accumulation of fluid in the abdomen
Crude fiber 3.60 4.00 (ascites).
L-Lysine 1.11 1.11 On Days 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 of age, blood samples
Methionine + Cystine 0.81 0.81 were taken into heparinized tubes from a wing vein from
ME, kcal/kg 3,300 3,300
10 randomly chosen birds per lighting schedule, feed, and
T3 treatment combination. From the seven pens per
experimental group, two chickens were taken from three
randomly assigned pens and one chicken from the
MATERIALS AND METHODS remaining four pens. Chickens were sampled during the
second half of a 1-h light period (0930 h to 1000 h). Blood
samples were centrifuged immediately (3,000 · g, 10 min)
Experimental Design and plasma was stored at –20 C until assayed for growth
Eight hundred and forty day-old male broiler chicks hormone (GH) and thyroid hormones (T4 and T3). From
(Ross) were obtained from a commercial hatchery2 and the same birds, a venous blood sample was taken in
placed in 28 floor pens (1.0 · 0.8 m; 30 chickens per pen). capillaries for measurements of hematocrit.
All chicks were vaccinated against infectious bronchitis, Plasma T3 and T4 levels were measured by RIA using
Gumboro, and Newcastle diseases. Each pen contained antisera and standard solutions from Byk-Sangtec,4
125I-T3 and 125I-T4 from ICN.5 Intra-assay variabilities
two drinking nipples with cups and a 0.8-m feeder trough.
Wood shavings were used as litter. During the first 8 d, the were 4.5 and 5.4% for T3 and T4 respectively. Chicken GH
lighting schedule provided 23 h light/d (23L:1D, CL) and (cGH) was measured with a homologous RIA as deve-
an experimental feed containing 3,300 kcal ME/kg and loped and validated by Berghman et al. (1988). The intra-
23.5% CP (B2) was provided for ad libitum consumption. assay coefficient of variation was 4.0%. All measurements
Temperature was set initially at 32 C and gradually of a given hormone were performed in a single assay.
reduced by 1 C/2 d until 22 C was reached.
At 9 d of age, chicks were randomly distributed into Statistical Analysis
two light-proof, temperature-controlled rooms, each con-
Combined response variable data from both experi-
taining 28 floor pens (15 chickens per pen). In one room,
ments were analyzed by the General Linear Models
the 23L:1D lighting schedule was maintained, whereas in
procedure (SAS Institute, 1986). Lighting schedule, feed,
the other an intermittent lighting schedule (IL) consisting
and T3 supplementation treatment were classification
of 1L:3D cycles, repeated six times daily, was imposed
variables and interactions were calculated. Pen means
(lights on: 0900 to 1000 h; 1300 to 1400 h; 1700 h to 1800 h;
were used as experimental units for calculation of
2100 to 2200 h; 0100 to 0200 h; 0500 to 0600 h). All chickens
mortality, growth, and FCR. If a significant model (P <
were subjected to a light intensity of 20 lx at bird height. In
0.05) was discerned, treatment means were compared by
each room, two isocaloric feeds (3,300 kcal ME/kg)
the LSMeans test. Mortality data were analyzed by
differing in CP content (B1: 20.5% CP; and B2: 23.5% CP)
weighted ANOVA after arc sine square root percentage
were provided (Table 1). Both feeds contained the same transformation (Snedecor and Cochran, 1967).
amounts of essential amino acids and were or were not
supplemented with 1.5 ppm triiodothyronine (T33). The
RESULTS
ascites or to hydropericardium was increased in T3- showed a compensatory growth (P < 0.005) in that they
supplemented birds compared to control chickens (P < reached the same final body weight as those reared in CL.
0.0001), and in the second experiment compared to the During this period, the growth of birds fed B2 was higher
first one (P < 0.005). Moreover, mortality due to ascites or than the growth of chickens fed B1, especially if the feed
to hydropericardium was decreased in birds reared under was supplemented with T3 (interaction feed by T3
IL compared to those reared under CL (P < 0.05); this treatment: P < 0.05).
result was especially obvious in T3-fed chickens. Also in Feed intake between Days 9 and 14 of birds reared in IL
T3-fed chickens, ascites mortality was much higher in was significantly reduced compared to that of their CL
birds fed a subnormal protein diet (20.5%) than in those counterparts (P < 0.0001). A slight interaction of light by
fed a diet containing normal protein (23.5%), regardless of feed on feed intake between Days 9 and 14 was due to the
the lighting schedule. However, in control birds, no effect lower FI of birds that consumed the B1 diet and were
of dietary protein content was found (interaction T3 reared under the CL treatment (P < 0.05). Dietary T3
treatment by feed: P < 0.05). supplementation significantly reduced feed intake (P <
0.0001). From Day 14 until 28, chickens reared under IL
Performance Data consumed less feed than those reared under CL (P <
0.0001). During the finisher period, the lighting schedule
Performance data and the results of the statistical did not continue to influence feed intake, but a significant
analyses are given in Tables 3 and 4, respectively. The interaction between lighting schedule and feed was found
change from CL to IL on Day 9 significantly reduced body (P < 0.005), as feed intake was higher in IL chicks than in
weight on Day 14 (P < 0.0001), but this effect was less CL chicks, when fed B2, but feed intake was lower in the IL
obvious in birds fed a low protein diet (interaction light by chicks than in the CL chicks when the B1 diet was fed,
feed: P < 0.01). At 28 d of age, birds reared at IL continued independent of the dietary T3 supplementation. Cumula-
to have lower BW than their CL counterparts, and those tive feed intake, calculated over the whole experimental
fed B1 were heavier than those fed B2 feed. Final body period, was lower in birds reared under IL than in those
weights at 42 d of age, however, did not differ between reared under CL (P < 0.001), irrespective of the dietary
lighting schedules or feed. Dietary T3 supplementation protein content or the T3 supplementation. Because the
significantly reduced growth from Day 14 on and reduction in growth rate in IL chicks between Days 9 and
throughout the whole experimental period in all groups. 14 was more pronounced than the reduction in feed
Final BW at 42 d of age was reduced in T3-supplemented intake, a less favorable FCR was found in chicks reared
birds compared to control birds, and this reduction was under IL than in chicks reared under CL in this period (P <
more pronounced in birds fed B1 than in those fed the B2 0.005), especially in birds fed B2 (interaction light by feed:
diet (interaction feed by T3 supplementation treatment: P P < 0.005). Dietary T3 supplementation did not alter FCR,
< 0.05). as growth and feed intake were reduced to the same
The data concerning the absolute body weight gain, extent. However, from Day 14 to 42, a lower FCR was
calculated per 2 wk, clearly showed an initial growth- found in IL chickens than in CL chickens (P < 0.0001), in
depressive effect of IL, especially in birds fed B2 chickens fed B1 than in those fed B2 (P < 0.01), and in
(interaction light by feed: P < 0.0001). From Day 14 until control birds than in T3-supplemented chickens (P <
28, no effect of lighting schedule on growth was found, but 0.0005). The cumulative FCR was lower in chickens reared
there was an effect of the feed: birds fed B1 showed under IL than in those reared under CL, regardless the
slightly faster growth than those fed B2. During the protein content of the feed or the T supplementation (P <
finisher period (Day 28 until 42), the chickens reared in IL 0.0001).
INTERMITTENT LIGHT REDUCES ASCITES INCIDENCE 57
TABLE 3. Effect of dietary triiodothyronine (T3) supplementation, protein content of feed, and lighting
schedule on body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio of broilers1
Plasma Hormone Levels especially when reared under IL. At 28 and 42 d of age,
respectively, lower and higher T3 levels were found in IL
Mean plasma hormone levels are given in Table 5 and chickens than in CL ones (P < 0.01).
the results of the statistical analysis are summarized in Plasma T4 levels were higher in 14-d-old chicks reared
Table 6. Dietary T3 supplementation significantly in- under IL than in those reared under CL (P < 0.0005),
creased plasma T3 levels at all ages (P < 0.0001). At 14 d of although this was only the case for B2 chickens (interac-
age, this increase was more pronounced in birds fed B1, tion light by feed: P < 0.05). Dietary T3 supplementation
TABLE 4. Probability values resulting from the factorial analysis of variance with as factors lighting schedule,
feed, and dietary triiodothyronine (T3) supplementation and their interactions as calculated for
body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio
Factor
Lighting Feed T3 suppl. L · F
Variable Age schedule (L) (F) (T) L · F L · T F · T · T
(d)
Body weight 9 NS NS NS NS NS NS NS
14 <0.0001 NS <0.0001 0.0084 NS NS NS
28 0.0002 0.0281 <0.0001 NS NS NS NS
42 NS NS <0.0001 NS 0.0240 NS
Body weight gain 9 to 14 <0.0001 0.0019 <0.0001 <0.0001 NS NS NS
14 to 28 NS 0.0409 <0.0001 NS NS NS NS
28 to 42 0.0015 0.0012 <0.0001 NS NS 0.0284 NS
9 to 42 NS NS <0.0001 NS NS 0.0103 NS
Feed intake 9 to 14 <0.0001 NS <0.0001 0.0416 NS 0.0244 0.0231
14 to 28 <0.0001 NS <0.0001 NS NS NS NS
28 to 42 NS NS <0.0001 0.0045 NS NS NS
9 to 42 <0.0001 NS <0.0001 NS NS NS NS
Feed conversion 9 to 14 0.0018 0.0034 NS 0.0012 NS NS NS
14 to 28 <0.0001 0.0061 0.0003 0.0341 NS NS NS
28 to 42 0.0002 <0.0001 <0.0001 0.0218 0.0228 0.0034 0.0413
9 to 42 <0.0001 (0.053) <0.0001 NS NS 0.0224 0.0177
58 BUYS ET AL.
TABLE 5. Effect of dietary triiodothyronine (T3) supplementation, protein content of feed, and lighting schedule
on plasma T3, thyroxine (T4), and growth hormone (GH) concentrations and hematocrit in broilers1
Factor
Lighting Feed T3 supplemen-
Variable Age schedule (L) (F) tation (T) L · F L · T F · T L · F · T
(d)
T3 concentration 14 NS <0.0001 <0.0001 NS 0.0078 <0.0001 NS
21 NS NS <0.0001 0.0418 0.0393 NS NS
28 0.0075 NS <0.0001 NS NS NS NS
35 NS 0.0087 <0.0001 NS NS 0.0417 NS
42 <0.0001 NS <0.0001 NS <0.0001 NS NS
T4 concentration 14 0.0002 0.0066 <0.0001 0.0105 NS NS NS
21 0.0017 NS <0.0001 NS 0.0312 0.0028 NS
28 NS NS <0.0001 NS 0.0025 NS NS
35 NS 0.0041 <0.0001 NS NS NS NS
42 NS 0.0087 <0.0001 NS NS NS NS
GH concentration 14 NS NS <0.0001 NS NS 0.0006 NS
21 NS 0.0344 <0.0001 NS NS NS NS
28 NS NS <0.0001 0.0008 NS 0.0395 NS
35 0.0021 NS <0.0001 NS NS NS NS
42 0.0002 NS <0.0001 NS NS NS NS
Hematocrit 14 NS 0.0123 NS NS NS NS 0.0130
21 0.0059 0.0494 NS NS NS NS NS
28 NS 0.0078 0.0266 0.0002 NS NS NS
35 NS NS NS NS NS NS NS
42 NS NS NS NS NS NS NS
subnormal protein content (20.5% CP, B1). The same growth in the 2nd wk, followed by a compensatory
phenomenon was found in T3-fed chickens. The initial growth in the period thereafter. This difference in
slower growth rate in B2 chicks is linked to a less growth rate results in a more concave growth pattern
favorable FCR. Nevertheless, IL resulted in an overall compared to that of CL chickens. As shown by Buyse et
decreased FCR, irrespective of the protein content of the al. (1994b), heat production, and hence oxygen require-
feed or the dietary T3 supplementation. No overall feed ments per kilogram of metabolic BW, of chickens
effect between 9 and 42 d of age was observed, nor was following a normal growth trajectory (with CL) are the
there a light by feed interaction. Therefore, it can be highest at about 2 wk of age, which is indicative of an
concluded that a reduction of the CP content of feed amplified metabolic demand. This metabolic demand
from 23.5 to 20.5% does not negatively influence the predisposes chickens for ascites development. The
performance of the birds, regardless of lighting pro- accumulation of fluid in the pericardium and the
gram, if the required levels of essential amino acids are abdomen is only the final step in a cascade of events
met. This result will have a beneficial effect on the leading to ascites. The predisposition for the develop-
nitrogen emission with both lighting schedules, particu- ment of the syndrome already occurs during the first
larly with the IL treatment, in view of the improvement weeks of the growing period. It is exactly during this
of dietary N retention under the latter lighting schedule initial period that the growth rate, and, thus, the oxygen
(Buyse et al., 1996). requirements of the IL chickens, are reduced, which
It was clearly demonstrated that IL reduces the alleviates the metabolic load and, hence, the develop-
incidence of ascites. This result can be explained by ment of ascites. The lower hematocrit values found in IL
different mechanisms. First, it has been shown that with chicks at 3 wk of age support this hypothesis. The
IL, heat production and oxygen consumption are beneficial effect of IL on ascites incidence could be
significantly lower during the dark periods of each L:D compared with the effect of early feed restriction
cycle (Buyse et al., 1994b). Because a lack of oxygen is (Shlossberg et al., 1991). Temporary growth reduction
known to be the primary cause of the development of has no negative effects on proportional weights of lungs
ascites, lower oxygen consumption in IL chicks could and heart (as is the case for muscle); but appear to have
reduce the incidence of ascites. A second mechanism beneficial effects of these variables (Buyse, personal
could be the altered growth pattern between IL and CL communication). Acar et al. (1995) also found that a
chickens. Decuypere et al. (1994) showed that the temporary feed reduction of 25% during the 2nd wk of
incidence of ascites is much higher in fast-growing the growing period resulted in a growth reduction, but
broiler lines than in slower growing ones. Although IL did not affect proportional heart and lung weights. Also,
chickens reached the same final body weight as CL ascites mortality was significantly reduced in feed-
chickens by 42 d of age, IL chicks have a reduced restricted broilers compared to their counterparts that
60 BUYS ET AL.