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AMPK is involved in the differential neonatal performance of chicks hatching at different time
Yufeng Wang1, Johan Buyse1, Zhigang Song2
1Laboratory of Livestock Physiology, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven. Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Insights
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) influences chick neonatal performance. Late-hatching chicks show altered central and peripheral AMPK activity, suggesting a role in energy balance and faster post-hatch growth.
Area of Science:
- Animal Physiology
- Metabolic Regulation
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Hatching time in chicks is linked to distinct neonatal performance.
- AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key regulator of cellular energy homeostasis.
- Understanding AMPK's role can elucidate mechanisms behind developmental variations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of AMPK in the differing neonatal performance of chicks based on hatching time.
- To explore central and peripheral AMPK signaling in early, middle, and late hatchers.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression analysis of hypothalamic AMPKα1, NPY, AgRP, POMC, and CRH.
- Measurement of total and phosphorylated AMPKα subunit levels in the hypothalamus.
- Analysis of hepatic AMPKα2 mRNA, AMPKα phosphorylation, phosphorylated GS, and FTO gene expression.
Main Results:
- Hypothalamic AMPKα1 mRNA was higher in late hatchers; orexigenic (NPY, AgRP) and anorexigenic (POMC, CRH) genes were also upregulated.
- Hepatic AMPKα2 mRNA and AMPKα phosphorylation were lower in late hatchers.
- Late hatchers displayed lower hepatic phosphorylated GS and higher hepatic FTO gene expression compared to early hatchers.
Conclusions:
- AMPK plays a significant role in the distinct neonatal performance associated with hatching time.
- Late hatchers exhibit a pattern of increased central energy intake and decreased peripheral energy expenditure.
- This metabolic profile in late hatchers contributes to accelerated post-hatch growth.
Abstract:
We have recently reported that the hatching time may be in relation to the distinct neonatal performance of female chicks. The present study was aimed to investigate the potential involvement of AMPK, an energy sensor which plays a pivotal role in energy homeostasis, in the distinct performance of the spread of hatching time model. As a result, hypothalamic AMPKα1 isoform gene expression was significantly higher in the late hatcher as compared to that of their early counterparts, whereas the total and phosphorylated levels of AMPKα subunit did not differ between the three hatchers. The hypothalamic orexigenic NPY and AgRP mRNA levels were higher in the late hatchers as compared to the early, and that of the middle hatchers was at an intermediate level. However, the anorexigenic POMC and CRH was also higher expressed in the late hatchers as compared to the early hatchers. In the liver, AMPKα2 mRNA level and the phosphorylation ratio of AMPKα was significantly lower in the late hatchers, as compared to their early counterparts. The hepatic phosphorylated GS levels of the late and middle hatchers were lower than that of their early counterparts. The expression of hepatic FTO gene of the late hatchers was significantly higher than that of their early and middle counterparts. Taken together, AMPK may play a significant role in the different neonatal performance of the spread of hatching time model. The central and peripheral AMPK in late hatchers exhibited a pattern of higher energy intake and lower energy expenditure, which resulted in a faster post-hatch growth.
