Biochemical Analysis of Pericardial Fluid in Chicks of Gallus domesticus Suffering from Hydropericardium Syndrome

The liver extract of chicks, Gallus domesticus, suffering from hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) was inoculated intraperitoneally into healthy chicks to produce HPS. After inoculation the blood serum and the pericardial fluid of the newly infected chicks were analyzed, at regular intervals for a total period of 72 hours for concentration of proteins, $K^+$ ions, $Na^+$ ions and the LDH activity. The protein content was significantly decreased both in the blood serum (30%) and the pericardial fluid (39%) within 24 hours of inoculation, which was then maintained during the subsequent period. The $K^+$ ions and the LDH activity, on the other hand, were significantly increased in the blood serum (26% and 169%, respectively) as well as the pericardial fluid (131% and 217%, respectively) within 24 hours of inoculation. After 72 hours this increase was, respectively, 43% and 191% in blood serum, and 153% and 200% in the pericardial fluid. Accumulation of $K^+$ ions, and decrease of protein and $Na^+$ ions in the pericardial fluid indicate homoestatic imbalance, which may prove fatal. The increased LDH activity is indicative of heptocytic damage.