Circadian Corticosterone Profile in Laying Hens (Gallus gallus domesticus).

ABSTRACT: Measurement of blood corticosterone concentrations has been established as an indicator for assessment of acute distress. Therefore, knowledge on physiological fluctuations is required, but previous studies allow little conclusion on daily fluctuations in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). To verify the presence of a circadian corticosterone rhythm in socialized chickens, blood samples were taken at four-hour intervals from 12 laying hens kept in groups of four over three days, each. Prior to experiments, hens were adapted to repeated handling for stress reduction. Corticosterone concentration was determined using radioimmunoassay. Blood sampling time and duration were recorded, and audio and video recordings were analyzed to assess the impact of behavior on corticosteron

SUBMITTER: Hillebrecht T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10967282 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature