THE CARDIAC OUTPUT AND CAROTID AND TIBIAL BLOOD PRESSURE OF THE TURKEY

Abstract
The cardiac output of untreated mature male Broad Breasted Bronze (BBB) turkeys was determined by an isotope dilution technique using radioactive phosphorus (P32). A Geiger–Mueller tube was connected to a rate meter which in turn was connected to a moving graph to continuously record the indicator concentration, thus obtaining the initial dilution curve. Posterior tibial and common carotid arterial blood pressures were measured directly and were recorded simultaneously with the cardiac output determinations by means of two strain gauges connected to a recording polygraph.From the cardiovascular measurements systemic resistance was calculated. The mean cardiac output of the mature male BBB turkey was 231 ml per kg body weight0.734 per minute. The mean carotid hemodynamic parameters were: systolic BP, 302 mm Hg; diastolic BP, 204 mm Hg; and pulse pressure, 98 mm Hg. Heart rate was 149 beats per minute. The mean tibial hemodynamic parameters were; systolic BP, 286 mm Hg; diastolic BP, 200 mm Hg; and pulse pressure, 85 mm Hg. The mean systemic resistance units were 0.17 and 0.16 for carotid and tibial arteries respectively on a bird basis and 1.13 and 1.08 respectively per kg body weight0.734.