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3D Kinematic Gait Analysis for Preclinical Studies in Rodents
Published on: August 3, 2019
Kinematic analysis quantifies gait abnormalities associated with lameness in broiler chickens and identifies
Gina Caplen1, Becky Hothersall, Joanna C Murrell
1School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom. gina.caplen@bristol.ac.uk
Plos One
|July 21, 2012
Summary
Broiler chickens exhibit distinct gait differences compared to jungle fowl due to selective breeding for meat production. These gait changes, particularly in lame broilers, highlight welfare concerns and potential for pain assessment.
Area of Science:
- Animal Biomechanics
- Avian Locomotion
- Animal Welfare Science
Background:
- Modern broiler chickens have undergone intense genetic selection for rapid growth and increased breast muscle, leading to unbalanced body conformation.
- This altered conformation, combined with rapid growth, promotes compensatory gait adaptations to minimize energy expenditure, contributing to high lameness prevalence in commercial flocks.
- Lameness further disrupts the natural gait cycle, posing a significant animal welfare issue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the gait characteristics of broiler chickens with their progenitor, the jungle fowl.
- To kinematically investigate the relationship between broiler gait parameters and defined lameness scores.
- To establish baseline gait parameters for non-lame broilers, lame broilers, and jungle fowl.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a commercial motion-capturing system to record three-dimensional temporospatial gait information during walking.
- Collected data from non-lame broilers (n=10), lame broilers (n=12), and jungle fowl (n=10) at immature and adult ages.
- Analyzed gait data using multi-level models to define a comprehensive range of gait parameters.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in gait parameters were observed between jungle fowl and broilers, attributed to differences in mass and body conformation (e.g., stance phase, double-support, leg lift, back displacement).
- Sound broilers displayed characteristics such as greater double-support, higher leg lift, and substantial vertical back movement compared to jungle fowl.
- Lame broilers exhibited additional gait modifications, including shorter stride length and duration, increased lateral back movement, and reduced walking velocity, indicative of instability and discomfort.
Conclusions:
- The study provides the first kinematic comparison of broiler and jungle fowl gaits, linking broiler gait parameters to lameness.
- Observed gait differences in broilers are likely adaptations to their artificial conformation and rapid growth, contributing to lameness.
- The quantitative methodology offers potential for future pain assessment in broiler lameness and evaluation of therapeutic interventions.
