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Thermal Manipulations During Broiler Embryogenesis: Effect on the Acquisition of Thermotolerance¹

Y. Piestun^*,, D. Shinder^*, M. Ruzal^*, O. Halevy, J. Brake and S. Yahav^*,2

^* Institute of Animal Science, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel; and Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695-7608

² Corresponding author: yahavs{at}agri.huji.ac.il

Rapid growth rate has presented broiler chickens with serious difficulties when called on to thermoregulate efficiently in hot environmental conditions. Altering the incubation temperature may induce an improvement in the acquisition of thermotolerance (AT). This study aimed to elucidate the effect of thermal manipulations (TM) during the development of the thyroid and adrenal axis of broiler embryos on the potential of broilers to withstand acute thermal stress at marketing age. Cobb broiler embryos were subjected to TM at 39.5°C and 65% RH from embryonic day 7 to 16 (inclusive), either continuously (24 h) or intermittently (12 h). After hatching chicks were raised under standard conditions to 35 d of age and then subjected to thermal challenge (35°C for 5 h). Continuous TM caused a significant decline in hatchability, coupled with significantly lower BW and body temperature at hatching. The intermittent (12-h) chicks showed results similar to the controls but had significantly lower body temperature. Thermal challenge at marketing age demonstrated a significant improvement in AT in both the 12- and 24-h TM-treated broilers, which was characterized by a significantly lower level of stress (as evidenced by the level of plasma corticosterone) and rate of mortality. It was concluded that TM during the portion of embryogenesis when the thyroid and adrenal axis develop and mature had a long-lasting effect and improved the AT of broiler chickens. Whereas intermittent TM had no significant effect on hatchability and performance parameters, continuous TM negatively affected these parameters.

Key Words: embryogenesis • thermal manipulation • broiler • thermotolerance • stress

¹ Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel. Number 514/08.

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