Rectal temperature and blood chemical responses of young chickens given E. coli endotoxin

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of intravenous injections of bacterial endotoxin in broiler chicks. In both experiments 5-weeks-old chicks were given a single intravenous injection of either distilled water (control) or 1 mg/kg Escherichia coli endotoxin (serotype 0.127:B8) in a volume of 1 mg/kg. In Experiment 1 rectal body temperatures were taken every hour for 24 hr postinjection. In Experiment 2, rectal temperatures and blood samples were taken at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 24 hr following the administration of endotoxin. Hematocrits and plasma glucose, protein, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and inorganic phosphorus were measured at each time interval. Birds receiving endotoxin showed a significant increase in rectal temperature from 2 hr until 17 hr postinjection. The febrile response was biphasic with temperatures peaking at 3 to 5 hr and again at 9 to 12 hr. No significant changes in hematocrits occurred following endotoxin injection. Plasma protein, potassium, and calcium decreased significantly, while glucose increased significantly after endotoxin administration. No significant changes in plasma magnesium, sodium, or inorganic phosphorus were observed in endotoxin-treated chicks.