Effects of Kelussia odoratisma in prevention of pulmonary hypertension syndrome in broiler chickens

The present study was conducted to evaluate the beneficial effects of Kelussia odoratisma on the wave amplitudes of ECG in Lead II, right ventricular hypertrophy, and the occurrence of broiler pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS). A six-week trial was conducted with 208 five-day-old broiler chickens (Ross 308) in a completely randomized design. Dietary treatments included four levels of 0 (control), 2.5, 5, and 7.5 g/kg of Kelussia odoratisma. Variables tested were wave amplitudes of ECG in Lead II, right ventricular hypertrophy and mortality from PHS. Dietary inclusion of Kelussia odoratisma significantly (P<0.05) increased T wave amplitudes though decreased S wave amplitudes in Lead II of ECG. Feeding Kelussia odoratisma at 5 and 7.5 g/kg improved cardiopulmonary function as reflected in significant (P<0.05) declines in right ventricular hypertrophy index and mortality from PHS. The use of Kelussia odoratisma at 5 and 7.5 g/kg is beneficial in prevention of PHS in broiler chickens reared at high altitude.