[Comparative studies of the electrocardiographic parameters, mean electrical axes [MEA] and cardiac index[RV/TV]in two groups of normal and experimentally ascitic broilers [using cold stress as a model]]

To evaluate the electrocardigraphic changes in the experimentally induced ascitis in broiler chickens using cold stress as a model. Experimental study.A total of 300 day-old male Ross 308 broiler chickes.Chickenswere randomly divided into two equal groups, [control and test], chicks were reared for six weeks. Gradually Temperature was gradually decreased in the test group to 30% of the standard program from 2 nd week of the rearing period. At the end of each week, 5 chicks from each group were selected and electrocardiographic recordings were performed. Also after autopsy right ventricle / total ventricular weight was measured and recorded. t- student Test and Bivariate correlation. There were significant elevation of the S wave amplitudes in 4th week [leads II, III, aVR]and 6th week [lead III] .S wave had a significant correlation with RV/TV in 4th week[lead II] and 5th week [leadsII, aVF] in the test group, too. There were also significant increase in the T wave amplitudes in 4[th] and 5[th] weeks [leadsII, aVF]and 6[th] week[leads aVF, aVR] in the test group.In this study, R waves did not show a significant variation with the exception of 4[th] week[lead II]. There were an elevation of MEA in test groups [with a right-cranial direction] but it just was significant in 4th week compared with control group. Electrocardiograms can be used effectively to evaluate the development of ascites syndrome in broiler chickens. The increase in the amplitude of S and T waves could be considered as the sign of ventricular hypertrophy in ascites syndrome resulted from cold condition