Table 3.
The red blood cell count, packed cell volume, and thrombocyte counts of broilers exposed to varied forms of physiological stress.
| Parameter | Response | Group 1 (control) | Group 2 (stocking density stress) | Group 3 (feed withdrawal stress) | Level of significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RBC count (×106/μL) | Pre-stress | 3.0±0.10 | 2.93±0.06 | 3.03±0.07 | p=0.133 |
| Post-stress | 3.11±0.12ab | 3.06±0.06a | 3.38±0.09b | p=0.049 | |
| PCV (%) | Pre-stress | 28.20±0.61 | 28.60±0.58 | 28.70±0.65 | p=0.832 |
| Post-stress | 28.80±0.49a | 28.70±0.47a | 30.50±0.31b | p=0.010 | |
| Thrombocytes (×103/μL) | Pre-stress | 176.00±10.45 | 164.00±7.48 | 178.00±6.11 | p=0.439 |
| Post-stress | 180.00±4.47a | 209.00±3.48b | 197.00±4.23b | p=0.000 |
a,b
Alphabetical superscripts in a row indicate a significant difference between the means (p<0.05 or p<0.01). RBC=Red blood cell count, PCV=Packed cell volume.