The temporal pattern of stress responses following continuous infusion of a
drenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH; 8 IU/kg BW/d for 7 d) in broilers was det
ermined in two experiments. Results indicate that the order of responses we
re elevated plasma corticosterone (CS) by 2 h, elevated plasma glucose (GLU
) by 12 h, increased liver weight concomitant with increased hepatic lipid
and decreased liver moisture by 18 h, decreased relative weight of the sple
en by 24 h, elevated heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio by 2 d, decreased bo
dy weight and relative weights of the bursa of Fabricius and thymus by Day
4, and decreased liver soluble protein content by 12 d.