Evaluation of cardiac status, ascites related factors and growth performance of five commercial strains of broiler chickens

ABSTRACT. The aim of the current study was to evaluate cardiac status, ascites susceptibility, thyroid hormones, some hematological parameters and performance of five commercial broiler strains. Chicks were selected from strains of Cobb, Hubbard, Ross 308, Arbor Acres, and Arian (Iranian commercial broiler strain). Management and nutritional conditions were the same for all strains. Ascites related factors, and growth performance were measured. The highest and lowest, RV weight/live weight at 21 day of age were related to Arian and Ross 308 strains, respectively (p < 0.05). The TV weight, TV weight/live weight and the RV weight/live weight were significantly different between various strains at 49 and 54 days of age (p < 0.05). Strain had no effect on RV/TV. Performance, T3 and T4 hormones, hematological parameters, and mortalities were not significantly different among the strains (p > 0.05). Ascites mortalities in the Ross 308 was zero; however, it had no significant difference with other strains (p > 0.05). It was concluded that, based on performance and physiological status, even though considered broiler strains did not differ significantly because of the same genetic programs probably, but according to the prices and market conditions each can be selected for breeding.

摘要
本研究旨在评估5个商品肉鸡品系的心脏功能、腹水易感性、甲状腺激素水平、部分血液学指标及生产性能。试验雏鸡选自科宝（Cobb）、哈伯德（Hubbard）、罗斯308（Ross 308）、爱拔益加（Arbor Acres）以及伊朗本土商品肉鸡品系阿里安（Arian）。所有品系的饲养管理与营养供给条件均保持一致，研究测定了与腹水相关的各项指标以及生长性能。
21日龄时，右心室（RV）重量/活体重量比值最高和最低的品系分别为阿里安与罗斯308（p < 0.05）。49日龄与54日龄时，各品系的总心室（TV）重量、总心室重量/活体重量比值以及右心室重量/活体重量比值均存在显著差异（p < 0.05）；品系对右心室/总心室比值无显著影响。
各品系的生产性能、三碘甲状腺原氨酸（T3）、甲状腺素（T4）水平、血液学指标以及死亡率均无显著差异（p > 0.05）。罗斯308品系的腹水死亡率为0，但与其他品系相比无显著统计学差异（p > 0.05）。
综上，基于生产性能与生理状态，尽管受试肉鸡品系可能因采用相同的遗传选育方案而未表现出显著差异，但结合市场价格与行业行情，各品系均可根据实际需求开展育种选择。