PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES IN PLASMA AND BODY COMPSITION OF YOUNG POULTS FED A SODIUM-DEFICIENT DIET

Abstract

Significantly lower feed intake, higher water intake and depressed growth rate were observed in poults under 30 days of age offered ad libitum a low (0.05%) sodium diet and tap water compared to control poults offered the same basal diet containing 0.25% added sodium. Mortality with dehydration occurred mainly between 2 and 3 wk of age in poults fed the low sodium diet. Significant pathophysiological changes in poults fed low sodium diet compared with the control on days 9–30 were: lower plasma sodium, chloride and osmolal concentrations; higher plasma contents of uric acid and total protein; higher packed cell volume; and lower body sodium and water contents. Indications of extracellular dehydration and intracellular hydration and decreased glomerular filtration rate in sodium-deficient poults are discussed. Plasma and body composition of poults fed the low sodium diet returned to normal 1 wk after the poults were offered a normal (0.25%) sodium diet and tap water ad libitum.