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Updated: May 17, 2026
08:25
Contact Hypersensitivity as a Murine Model of Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Published on: September 26, 2022
Effects of contact dermatitis on hepatic gene expression in broilers
L Sherlock1, D E F McKeegan, Z Cheng
1Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, AL9 7TA. lsherlock@rvc.ac.uk
British Poultry Science
|November 8, 2012
Summary
Broiler chickens with foot and hock dermatitis show altered liver gene expression, impacting energy metabolism and inflammation. This suggests pain, compromising growth and welfare.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Genomics
- Poultry Health
Background:
- Foot and hock dermatitis in broiler chickens negatively impacts growth and increases infection risk.
- Limited understanding exists regarding the physiological changes associated with these lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate global hepatic gene expression changes in broiler chickens with ammonia-induced foot and hock lesions.
- To identify molecular mechanisms underlying the physiological response to dermatitis.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of hepatic gene expression between control broiler chickens and those with induced foot and hock lesions.
- Utilized Agilent 44K chicken oligonucleotide microarrays for gene expression analysis.
- Analyzed data from 8 birds per group.
Main Results:
- Identified 417 differentially expressed genes, with 174 mapped to the chicken genome.
- Observed alterations in genes related to energy metabolism, thyroid hormone activity, and cellular control.
- Detected an upregulation of genes associated with a pro-inflammatory response.
Conclusions:
- Hepatic gene expression changes provide insights into physiological coping mechanisms for foot and hock lesions.
- Findings suggest that increased lesion severity correlates with pain and compromised growth in broiler chickens.
- Improved husbandry to reduce dermatitis incidence can enhance both animal welfare and commercial performance.
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