The effect of dietary sodium on right ventricular failure-induced ascites, gain and fat deposition in meat-type chickens.

Experiments were carried out using various levels of sodium (Na+) from NaCl or NaHCO3 to determine: 1) the level of Na+ required to induce ascites alone or in combination with cold temperature and 2) the effect of Na+ on weight gain and fat deposition in broiler chickens. In experiment 1, there were no cases of ascites using levels of Na+, from NaCl at 0.14% to 0.44% in the feed from day 3 or using added Na+, from NaCl at 0.0% to 0.12% in the water from day 3 with a level of 0.14% in the feed. There was no significant difference in 21 or 42 day body weight, feed conversion, or right ventricle:total ventricle (RV:TV) ratio between treatment groups. Day 3 to 4 body weight gains were significantly increased in all treatment groups with added Na+ (p less than 0.01). In experiment 2, with levels of added Na+, from NaCl, at 0.0% to 0.12% in the water with a level of 0.20% in the feed there were two cases of ascites, one at day 7 and one at day 40 at the 0.12% level. There were no significant differences in body weight at days 21 or 42 or in the RV:TV ratios between groups. Feed conversions were improved (p less than 0.01) with the lowest and highest levels of Na+ and a significant increase in day 3 to 4 body weight gain, with increasing Na+ in all treatment groups, was observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)