BACKGROUND: Ascites is a metabolic disease that has negative effects on broiler chickens. OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the effect of cold induced ascites on performance, meat quality and quantity indices and some blood indices of broiler chickens with cold induced ascites. METHODS: Three hundred one-day-old female chicks (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with two treatments of control (under normal temperature) and ascitic (under cold stress) with five replicates and 30 birds per each replicate. RESULTS: The results showed that cold-induced ascites caused the lower performance, carcass weight and thigh and breast meat (P<0.05). Furthermore, ascites caused the increased anus temperature and thigh lightness (L) and redness (a) at day 42 of age (P<0.05). Cold induced ascites decreased the enzymes of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, uric acid, albumen and malondihaldehyde in blood at day 42 of age (P<0.05). The higher blood hematocrit and hemoglobin were observed in ascetic birds (P<0.05). CONLUSIONS: In conclusion, cold induced ascites increase the meat lightness through the increased peroxidation and decreased antioxidants of the body. Moreover, ascites cause the higher anus temperature by increasing the body basal metabolism.

Potential biomarkers for chronic seasonal heat stress in Kagoshima Berkshire pigs reared in the subtropical region were investigated by comparing the biomarker changes in the summer (a period of chronic heat stress) and winter (a thermoneutral period) seasons.

The aim of this work was to monitor the role of some risk factors on the incidence of endometritis in the herd, in addition to investigating the ability to make early pre-partum forecasting for occurrence of endometritis. 110 Holstein Friesian cows aged from 3-5 years were enrolled in this study. Cytological examination using a cytobrush (CB) and Indian MAP rapid stain kit (Indian MAP scientific©) for counting of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) under microscope was used as the most accurate tool to discriminate between healthy cows and those affected with subclinical endometritis (SCE) at either 21 or 45 days postpartum (dpp). Serum analysis was used to measure the level of Albumin and Haptoglobin (Hp) in serum of dam at day 7 before parturition and at 21 and 45 dpp. Male calf and rainy season of parturition have a significant effect on the incidence of endometritis (P <0.05). According to our study results, the prevalence of CE (N=15) is 16.48%, whereas that of SCE (N=34) is 37.36%. Albumin (a negative acute-phase protein) level has been discovered to be a trustworthy predictor of sickness risk in transition period and fresh cows. The standard range of Albumin in cow’s serum is (2.8-3.9 g/dl). Albumin was markedly higher in healthy cows than diseased cows either prior to parturition or after 21 and 45 days in milk (DIM), The pre-partum Hp concentration between the SCE and healthy groups in this study was significantly different in a deceptive way. Hp concentration in the SCE group, however, was significantly different from the control group at 21 DIM (0.10±0.01 g/l vs. 0.05±0.002 g/l). So, Hp concentration is a satisfactory diagnostic, not a prognostic test.