Hypoxic ascites in broilers: a review of several studies done in Colombia.

In Bogotá, Colombia, broilers developed ascites due to pulmonary hypertension of hypoxic origin at 2638 m above sea level. This disease has tremendous economic impact in various countries of the world and is characterized by pulmonary hypertension, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the right ventricle of the heart, increased hematocrit and hemoglobin values, and ascites. This entity appears to be influenced by management practices and by inability of broilers to adapt to high altitude.