Hepatic Transcriptome Responses of Domesticated and Wild Turkey Embryos to Aflatoxin B₁
Melissa S Monson1, Carol J Cardona2, Roger A Coulombe3
1Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA. monso181@umn.edu.
Toxins
|January 12, 2016
Summary
Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) exposure impacts turkey embryo development, with domesticated turkeys showing faster gene expression changes than wild turkeys. Investigating NRF2-response genes could enhance poultry resistance to this mycotoxin.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Genomics
- Comparative Biology
Background:
- Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) is a toxic food contaminant affecting poultry.
- AFB₁ can transfer maternally to eggs, impacting embryo development.
- Domesticated turkeys are more sensitive to aflatoxicosis than wild turkeys.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the gene expression response to AFB₁ in embryonic livers of domesticated and wild turkeys.
- To identify molecular pathways affected by AFB₁ exposure in ovo.
- To explore potential targets for improving turkey resistance to aflatoxicosis.
Main Methods:
- In ovo injection of AFB₁ or sham control into turkey eggs.
- RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of embryonic liver tissue after 1 and 5 days of exposure.
- Differential gene expression analysis comparing turkey types and exposure times.
Main Results:
- 1535 significant genes were identified with altered expression in response to AFB₁.
- AFB₁ effects were time- and turkey-type dependent, appearing faster in domesticated turkeys.
- Upregulated pathways included cell cycle regulators, NRF2-mediated responses, and coagulation factors.
Conclusions:
- Embryonic gene expression in turkeys is sensitive to AFB₁ exposure.
- Domesticated turkeys exhibit a more rapid transcriptomic response to AFB₁ than wild turkeys.
- NRF2-response genes are a potential target for enhancing poultry AFB₁ resistance.
