Model of physiological stress in chickens 3. Temporal patterns of response

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.