High ambient temperatures affect animal production and welfare in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Feed intake, growth rate, mortality, egg production, hatchability and other production traits related to the economic success of the poultry industry are adversely affected by severe heat stress. In general, heat stress induces the activity of the neuroendocrine system, resulting in activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and elevated corticosterone (CORT) concentrations, which affects metabolism and immune responses. These include negative regulation of metabo...
