Effect of increased incubation temperature on juvenile growth, immune and serum biochemical parameters in selected chicken populations

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The present experiment was conducted to evaluate reproductive performance, juvenile growth, immune response and serum biochemical parameters in Naked Neck (NN), Punjab Broiler-2 (PB-2) and Dahlem Red (DR) chicken exposed to 2°C increased incubation temperature for 3 h each on 16th, 17th and 18th day of incubation in a randomized block design. The birds were reared at high ambient temperatures (32C-45°C) during summer. Higher incubation temperature had no effect on hatchability. There were no significant differences between the in ovo heat exposed or normal incubated chicks in weekly body weight, feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) except NN chicken. The cell mediated immune response to Phytohaemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) was significantly higher in heat exposed birds in NN and DR chickens. There were no significant differences between the treatments in other immune and serum biochemical parameters. There was significant difference between the genotypes in body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. PB-2 birds recorded significantly higher body weight from 14th day to till 42nd day. The NN birds had significantly higher FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma) value and cell mediated immune response to PHA-P. The lipid peroxidation was significantly higher in PB-2 birds indicating high stress. In conclusion, prenatal exposure of 2°C increased incubation temperature had positive effect on juvenile growth in NN; cell mediated immune response (PHA-P) in NN and DR, while no effect was observed in all the parameters in PB-2 chicken.