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Abstract
Two experiments were conducted to assess the stress response of broilers to catching
and pretransport handling followed by different periods of crating. The short-term
changes in selected biochemical indices were monitored at 1-min intervals within 10
min of crating after the catching and handling of broilers (experiment 1). These indices
were further monitored at 15-min intervals for 2 h of crating after the catching and
handling of broilers (experiment 2). Increased (P < 0.001) corticosterone concentrations
were observed immediately after the broilers were caught, handled, and placed in crates.
They continued to increase until 7 min after crating and then slowly decreased, but
even at 120 min after handling, corticosterone concentrations were higher (P < 0.001)
in crated broilers than in control broilers. In addition, lactate concentrations increased
(P < 0.001) immediately in comparison with those of broilers with no additional handling
except for catching and blood sampling, but 15 min later, the lactate concentrations
had decreased to the precrating level. Lactate dehydrogenase concentrations increased
(P = 0.042) 30 min after crating and continued to increase for the rest of the monitored
period. A decreased level of cholesterol (P = 0.017) and increased concentration of
uric acid (P = 0.041) were found 1 min after crating. The decrease in cholesterol
was visible up to 9 min after crating; it then returned to its original value except
for the period from 75 to 90 min after crating, when a decrease (P < 0.05) was again
detected. Higher (P < 0.01) concentrations of uric acid were found continuously from
4 to 75 min after crating. Glucose concentrations were increased (P = 0.017) 2 min
after crating, but the stress-induced increase was not consistent over the course
of the next few minutes after crating. Glucose concentrations were not different from
those of control broilers from 10 to 120 min after crating, although they showed a
decreasing pattern. A decrease (P = 0.031) in triglyceride concentrations was detected
75 min after crating.