Blood Respiratory Gases,Lactate,and Pyruvate during Thermal Stress in the Chicken ∗

Summary

Arterial blood pO₂, pCO₂, pH, lactate, and pyruvate concentrations were measured in chickens at normal body temperature and at temperatures of 43, 44, and 45°C. A decrease in pCO₂ and increases in the other components were observed. It was concluded that acute anoxia was not the cause of thermal death in chickens.