Physiological values of selected serum biochemical indices in chickens

This paper deals with normal values of some serum biochemical parameters in chickens and laying hens with regard to their age and sex. Investigations were performed on clinically healthy multipurpose birds of the Astra S race, both females and males aged 1-23 and 1-18 weeks, respectively. In serum of blood collected from the animals, levels of total protein, glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium (Ca) and inorganic phosphorus as well as the activity of some enzymes including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) were determined. In the birds of both sexes, some parameters were found to be age-dependent, including levels of total protein (increasing with age), cholesterol and triglycerides and CK activity (the highest levels were noted in 1-week old animals) as well as inorganic phosphorus and AP activity (decreasing with age). In the females beyond the 14th week of age, sex-dependent changes included an increase in levels of total protein, triglycerides and Ca as well as a higher level of phosphorus than that found in the males. No correlation between glucose level, AST, LDH activity, and the age and sex of the birds was observed.