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Electrolyte Diets, Stress, and Acid-Base Balance in Broiler Chickens¹

H. A. Olanrewaju^*,2, J. P. Thaxton, W. A. Dozier, III^* and S. L. Branton^*

^* USDA/ARS, South Central Poultry Research Laboratory, Mississippi State, MS 39762; and Department of Poultry Science, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State 39762-9665

² Corresponding author: holanrewaju{at}msa-msstate.ars.usda.gov

We compared the acid-base balance in broiler chickens provided diets containing 2 dietary electrolyte balances (DEB), and administered with either adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or saline solution. Diets were moderate (174 mEq/kg) or high (241 mEq/kg) DEB formulated by altering Na-K-Cl based on actual analysis. The experiment was designed as a split plot, with the main unit consisting of 4 treatments and the factorial treatment structure arranged in a completely randomized design. Osmotic pumps delivered 8 IU of ACTH in saline/kg of BW per d for 7 d, or the same saline volume as used in ACTH at 1 µL/h for 7 d was implanted on d 35. Venous blood samples were collected on d 35 before the pumps were implanted and on d 42 and 49. Birds fed the high DEB diet exhibited significantly higher Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ levels than birds provided the moderate DEB diet on d 35. Infusion of ACTH significantly increased (P 0.05) hematocrit, hemoglobin, partial pressure of CO₂ (pCO₂), corticosterone, osmolality, and HCO₃^– and reduced pH, BW, partial pressure of O₂ (pO₂), and plasma concentrations of Na⁺ and Cl^– in both diets compared with the control group on d 42. Similarly, the ACTH treatment significantly increased hematocrit, hemoglobin, Ca²⁺, corticosterone, and osmolality and reduced (P 0.05) pO₂, glucose, and BW on d 49. The diet formulated for high DEB partially lowered pCO₂ on d 42. Significant DEB x ACTH interactions were observed for pCO₂ and pO₂ on d 49. However, there was a reduction in pO₂ along with a concomitant increase in erythropoiesis under the ACTH treatment for both diets, compared with the saline control, because of the increased need for O₂ to support gluconeogenic energy production. This adaptive response provided greater numbers of erythrocytes and thus a higher amount of circulating hemoglobin to deliver O₂ for metabolism. The diet formulated for high DEB partially attenuated the adaptive stress condition in broiler chickens.

Key Words: electrolyte diet • acid-base balance • stress • adrenocorticotropic hormone • broiler

¹ Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the USDA.

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