Effect of nutrition on the body temperature and relative organ weights of broilers

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different nutritional plans on the body temperature and organ biometrics in male and female broilers, of two ages. Here, 1,700 birds were used (850 males and 850 females) in a completely randomized design composed of five treatments (-3%, -1.5%, reference, + 1.5% and + 3%), with 10 repetitions, totaling 50 experimental units; the reference treatment based on nutritional and energy levels indicated in previous studies was calculated from this. At 35 and 42 d, the temperatures of the wing, head, shin, back, and cloaca in males and females were measured separately, and the average surface and body temperature were calculated. At 42 d, relative weights of the gizzard, liver, heart, and small intestine were calculated. The temperatures of the wings, back, and cloaca, and consequently the average surface temperature and body temperatures, were not affected by nutritional plans. Effects of increasing the nutritional and energy levels were observed on liver weights, the gizzard, and the small intestine. We conclude that the nutritional plans did not affect body temperature. Males had higher body temperatures than females. Body temperature increased with increase in age, and the increase in the nutritional plans increased liver weight and reduced the gizzard weights. Key words: Animal nutrition, body temperature, digestive system, poultry ResumoObjetivou-se avaliar a temperatura corporal e o peso relativo de órgãos em frangos de corte, machos e fêmeas, em duas idades, submetidos a diferentes planos nutricionais. Foram utilizadas 1700 aves (850 machos e 850 fêmeas) distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, composto de cinco tratamentos (-3%, -1.5%, referência, +1.5% e +3%) com 10 repetições, totalizando 50 unidades experimentais; sendo o tratamento referência baseado nos níveis nutricionais e energéticos recomendados por Rostagno et al. (2011) e os demais calculados a partir deste. Aos 35 e 42 dias de idade foram mensuradas as temperaturas da asa, cabeça, canela, dorso e da cloaca nos machos e fêmeas separadamente, e após calculou-se a temperatura superficial média e corporal. Aos 42 dias de idade também foram calculados os pesos relativos da moela, fígado, coração e intestino delgado. As temperaturas de asa, dorso e cloaca não foram afetadas pelos planos nutricionais, e consequentemente as temperaturas superficial média e corporal. Observou-se efeito do aumento dos níveis nutricionais e energéticos nos pesos do fígado, moela e do intestino delgado. Conclui-se que os planos nutricionais não influenciaram a temperatura corporal. Os machos apresentaram maior temperatura corporal que as fêmeas. A temperatura corporal se elevou conforme aumentou a idade. O aumento dos planos nutricionais aumentou o peso do fígado e reduziu o peso da moela.

Use of emulsifier and lipase in feeds for broiler chickens

“…According to Martins et al (2015), the presence of higher levels of energy and nutrients might stimulate increased secretion of digestive enzymes, promoted by secretory cell hypertrophy, which results in increased development and, consequently, a higher relative weight of the organ. Thus, based on the previous studies and the results obtained in the present study, variations in metabolisable energy levels were likely not sufficient to produce an increase in the metabolic and/or enzymatic activity that would result in more development of the liver and pancreas.…”