Potential role of serum troponin t in cardiomyocyte injury in the broiler ascites syndrome

Abstract

1. Cardiac troponin T is a recently developed serological marker used as a sensitive diagnostic tool for early myocardial damage in 'at risk' human patients. 2. Serum troponin T values were measured in young 30-d-old broilers with ascites and in healthy age-matched flockmates. 3. The data showed a significant increase (P < 0.001) in troponin T values in ascitic broilers compared with control birds. A similar increase in the arterial pressure index in ascitic birds indicated a good positive correlation at this age. 4. The results suggest that this new assay cross-reacts with chicken cardiac troponin T antigen and that it may be an important indicator of myocardial cell damage for use in future genetic selection programmes in the combat against ascites.