ZEFECTO DE LA ADICIóN DE NITRATOS A LA DIETA SOBRE LA MORTALIDAD DE POLLOS BROILER

aim: this study investigated the effect on broiler chickens mortality by addition of nitrate intake.materials and methods: one hundred (100), one day old ross chickens were used, and randomly assigned into 4 groups. the nitrate contents in food and drinking water was quantified by means of a colorimetric technique based on the sulfuric acid nitridation. the recommended amount of food for broiler chickens and water ad libitum were delivered for the animals of the four (4) experimental groups. sodium nitrate was added in the drinking water for the animals of groups 1, 2, and 3. the nitrate added in water was 1, 2 and 3 times the nitrate concentration found in food. results: the additional nitrate intake showed a dose-dependent mortality increase. pathological study was done on the last day of the cycle for the surviving animals from each one of the experimental groups. this showed that the animals exposed to higher intake of nitrate had lesions compatible with ascitic syndrome. additionally, necropsy findings during the experiment were compatible with infectious pathologies and avian edema disease. conclusions: results from this study suggest that nitrate intake is a determinant factor in the avian mortality increase.