The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of the genotype and sex on the value of meat-type chicken hematocrit (percentage packed cells volume). One hundred and eighty breeders of 18 experimental genotypes were used. Individual samples of blood were collected and the percentage packed cells volume was determined. For the factor genotype, it was possible to distinguish two different groups with averages changing from 45,83 to 41,69% and 41,24 to 37,21%. For sex, the values showed significant difference with values of 46,20 ± 4,14% for males and 35,74 ± 3,16% for females. In conclusion the genotype and sex influenced the hematocrit value in meat-type chickens, above to cluster every genotypes in two groups.
packed cells volume; chicken genotype; genetic breeding; broilers
