POSTMORTEM CHANGES IN AVIAN GROSS INTESTINAL MORPHOLOGY

To assess the reliability of data from carcasses that have been exposed to unknown environmental conditions after death, the effects of time and temperature post-mortem were examined in 2-week-old cockerels (Gallus gallus) by determining whether freezing and refrigeration before analysis affect the weight and length of the small intestine. Intestine weight decreases significantly with increases in temperature and time postmortem. Intestine length also increases but to a lesser extent. Freezing and (or) refrigeration of carcasses soon after death does not significantly affect intestine weight or length upon thawing. It is concluded that intestine length should be used in preference to intestine weight when the source of carcasses and the conditions to which they were subjected are unknown.