The loss of electrolyte balance in diets of
broiler chickens has resulted in a serious distur-bance of blood acid-base
balance, coupled with elevated body temperature. The body losses carbon dioxide
(CO2) and bicarbonate (HCO3), resulting in respiratory alkalosis or acidosis.
Under tropical conditions of high environmental temperatures, the balance of
electrolytes in feeds must be set much higher as to maintain equal metabolic
and digestive efficiency. However, information on the ideal dietary electrolyte
balance (DEB) that could effectively correct acid-base imbalance in broiler
chickens under severe heat stress condition is scanty. Therefore, the effects
of varying electrolyte balance in diets on haematology, blood glucose and serum
inorganic elements were assessed in broiler chickens at starter (0 - 21 d) and
finisher (22 - 35 d) phases, under temperature-humidity index of 24.97 - 35.19.
One day-old Arbor Acre chicks (n = 300) were procured and randomly allotted to
diets supplemented with potassium chloride and sodium bicarbonate, to balance
monovalent ions (sodium, potassium and chloride) at 210 (T1), 240 (T2), 270
(T3), 300 (T4), 330 (T5) and 360 (T6) mEq/kg DEB, in a completely randomised
design. On days 21 and 35, blood (5 mL) samples were collected from birds in
each replicate whose weights were closest to the mean class weight for
haematology and serum biochemical indices using standard procedures. Data were
analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α = 0.05. Different levels
of DEB did not significantly affect (P > 0.05) haematology and blood glucose
at starter phase. However, at finisher phase, heterophil: lymphocyte of birds
on 270 and 240 mEq/kg DEB were lower (P < 0.05) compared to other dietary treatments.
Blood acid-base balance was relatively enhanced in birds on aggregate DEB level
of 360 mEq/kg with reduced chloride ion and relatively lower incidence of
hemodilution with respect to high haemoglobin levels as this level is
advantageous in balancing blood acid to base ratio in broiler chickens reared
under severe environmental temperatures higher than 43?C ± 5?C as against some
previous opinions that did not take into consideration, the inherent dietary
electrolyte balance in feedstuff, other functional mono or divalent ions, and
the severity of environmental factors.
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