OBJECTIVE: To analyze the variation trends and gender differences of organ coefficient, intestinal length and body size in SJ5-SPF chickens of different ages, and to provide experimental data for the sex selection of experimental animals.
Methods: 4-week, 20-week, 25-week and 40-week SJ5-SPF chickens were selected, the body weight, 15 major organ weights, 5 major intestinal lengths and 6 major body dimensions were measured, and the organ coefficients were calculated. The body weight, organ coefficient, intestinal length and body size of female and male SJ5-SPF chickens at different ages were compared.
Results: There were significant differences in body weight between males and females at different ages (P < 0.01), and there were differences in the measured organ coefficients between females and males at different ages. There was no significant difference between males and females in jejunum, ileum and rectum in the above four weeks of age, and there were significant differences in other intestinal lengths between males and females in some weeks of age. Among the measured body measurements, body length, shin length, pelvic width, chest depth and chest width were significantly different between males and females at 2 or 3 weeks of age among the above four weeks of age.
Conclusion: Age and gender have effects on the organ coefficient, intestinal length and body size of SJ5-SPF chickens.