Ambient temperature associated variations in serum hormones and interrelated analytes of broiler chickens in arid tract

The investigation was carried out to explore the extent of changes in serum hormones and interrelated analytes of broiler chickens during varying ambient temperatures because such changes help to understand the modulations in physiological mechanisms. For this purpose sera were harvested from the broilers when the maximum temperatures were 13-16 deg C (low); 24-27 deg C (moderate) and 42-45 deg C (high). The values of analytes measured at moderate temperature served as control to which values of analytes measured at low and high temperatures were compared. Higher temperatures resulted in greater variations in hormones and interrelated analytes than the lower temperatures. At 42-45 deg C, serum corticosterone, growth hormone, glucagon, testosterone, uric acid, creatinine, urea, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, ASAT, ALAT, lipase and amylase increased significantly (p /- 0.05) and thyroxine, triiodothyronine, insulin, gastrin, total proteins, albumin, globulin, LDH, ICDH and pepsinogen decreased significantly (p /- 0.05) from respective control mean values. At low temperatures (13-16 deg C) serum T4, T3, LDH and ICDH were significantly (p /- 0.05) higher; glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and free fatty acids were significantly (p /- 0.05) lower and corticosterone, growth hormone, insulin, glucagon, gastrin, testosterone, total proteins, albumin, globulin, uric acid, creatinine, urea, ASAT, ALAT, pepsinogen, lipase and amylase showed non significant (p0.05) changes from respective control values. Serum prolactin, aldosterone, sodium, chloride, calcitonin, alkaline phosphatase, 5' nucleotidase and gamma glutamyl transferase were significantly (p /- 0.05) higher and potassium, C-PTH, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were significantly (p /- 0.05) lower at 42-45 deg C temperatures than respective control mean values. At 13-16 deg C temperature serum aldosterone, sodium, chloride, alkaline phosphatase and 5' nucleotidase showed significant (p /- 0.05) fall while serum potassium marked significant (p /- 0.05) rise as compared to respective control mean values. It was concluded that changes in the ambient temperatures affected the glucose, fat, protein, calcium and sodium metabolisms in the way which helped the birds to survive during adverse conditions. Pattern of changes of interrelated analytes showed the physiological state of the body being governed by endocrine system.