changes of blood gas parameters, hematocrit value and internal organ weights with induced ascites in broiler chicken

in order to evaluate the effects of ascites on blood gas parameters and internal organ weights, 335 broilers related to parental lines was studied. one hundred sixty-one male broilers and one hundred seventy-four females selected randomly and studied under two treatments of control and ascites. at 54 days of age, body weight and body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion rate between the age of 23 and 54 days were determined. at 28, 35, 42 and 54 days of age, blood gas parameters were evaluated. moreover hematocrit value at 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 54 days of age were evaluated. at the end of experiment, all birds slaughtered then the weight of abdominal fat, liver and spleen were measured. fluid in the abdomen, color of the breast and liver were assayed. moreover mortality resulted from ascites in total period experiment was recorded. result from body weight, feed conversion rate and feed intake showed that there were no significant between two groups while in males broilers body weight gain was significant (p<0.05). the result of internal organ weights showed that the weight of liver and spleen were the same in two treatments but abdominal fat was significant between two groups. right ventricle to total ventricle ratio of males ascites was greater (p<0.01) than that of control males although right ventricle to total ventricle ratio of females were not significant. fluid in the abdomen, color of the breast were not significant between two groups but color of liver was significant (p<0.01). in this study, partial pressure of oxygen in venous blood (pvo2) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide in venous blood (pvco2) and hematocrit value were only significant in male broilers at 54 day of age. o2 saturation in venous blood was significant in male broilers at 35, 42 and 54 days of age. based on the conditions of this study it was concluded that hematocrit value is not suitable for predict ascites and o2 saturation in venous blood maybe useful for distinguish ascites broilers.