Adaptation to oxidative stress and impact of chronic oxidative stress on immunity in heat-stressed broilers

1. Glutathione peroxidase activity and serum malondialdehyde of heat-stressed broilers were increased in the early period of heat exposure, and then these parameters decreased. 2. The lesion scores of bursa of Fabricius in heat-stressed broilers were increased and decreased in accordance with the activity of glutathione peroxidase and serum malondialdehyde. 3. High environmental temperature had not affected relative bursa of Fabricius weight and NDV-HI titer of heat-stressed broilers. 4. We concluded that heat-stressed broilers could adapt to oxidative stress, and environmental temperature set at 38 +/- 2 degrees C had not affected humoral immunity. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.