A consideration of comparative metabolic aspects of the aetiology of sudden death syndrome and ascites in broilers.

There is some evidence to suggest that the aetiology of 'Sudden Death Syndrome' (SDS) and ascites in broilers are closely related and that they may be the result of different degrees of the same metabolic condition. Many of the clinical findings, such as cardiac involvement and oedema are common to both conditions. Males are more affected than females and rapid growth, if a factor, is more related to increased oxygen demand rather than growth per se. Dietary, environmental or other factors which disrupt the balance of electrolytes, metabolites or pH may affect cardiopulmonary function and lead to SDS or ascites. The conditions can be either acute or chronic in nature and, whereas if acute, the end result is SDS, when chronic, ascites is the end result. Dietary or environmental factors that may either help to stabilize or adversely affect acid base balance may be useful avenues for future research into the aetiology of SDS and ascites. Factors that would increase the bird's capacity for supplying adequate oxygen to the tissues may also help to alleviate these two conditions which are of considerable annual cost to the poultry industry.