Impact of experimental Escherichia coli infection in broiler breeder chicks: The effect of oxidative stress on weight gain

Publication date: Available online 9 November 2019Source: Microbial PathogenesisAuthor(s): Gilneia da Rosa, Davi Fernando Alba, Anielen D. Silva, Anderson Gris, Ricardo E. Mendes, Vitor B. Mostardeiro, Thalison F. Lopes, Maria Rosa Chitolina, Lenita M. Stefani, Marcos T. Lopes, Marcel Manente Boiago, Aleksandro S. da SilvaAbstractThe aim of this study was to determine whether oxidative stress occurs in Escherichia coli-infected broiler breeder chicks, as well as the impact of this infection on bird growth. Twenty birds, 25-day-old female birds were divided into two groups (n = 10 per group): an intraperitoneally-infected group (1 mL containing 1.5 × 108 CFU of E. coli) and a control group that received 1 mL of culture medium (uninfected birds). Birds were weighed individually at the beginning and at the end of the experiment, and samples were collected on days 0, 5 and 10 post-infection (PI). No clinical signs were observed throughout the experimental period; nevertheless, on day 10 PI, there was lower growth and weight gain in infected birds than in the control group. The infected birds showed pericarditis and liver congestion, as well as moderate periportal inflammatory infiltrates with predominance of neutrophils. Significantly higher numbers of total leukocytes, lymphocytes, heterophils and monocytes were observed in the infected group on days 5 and 10 PI, as well as significantly higher total protein and globulin levels; albumin values significantly decrea...
Source: Microbial Pathogenesis - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research