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Updated: Aug 29, 2025

Isolation and Transplantation of Different Aged Murine Thymic Grafts.

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Effect of mild intermittent cold stimulation on thymus immune function in broilers.

Yajie Fu¹, Shijie Zhang¹, Ning Zhao¹

¹College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.

Poultry Science

|September 4, 2022

Summary

Intermittent mild cold stimulation enhances broiler cold resistance by modulating thymus immune function. Optimal adaptation involves a 3°C temperature reduction for 5 hours, improving homeostasis and stress response.

Keywords:

broiler thymus cold adaptation cold stimulation hormone regulation immune regulation

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Published on: June 9, 2015

Area of Science:

Poultry Science
Immunology
Animal Physiology

Background:

Broiler chickens face cold stress challenges impacting immune function.
Thymus plays a crucial role in avian immune development and response.
Understanding cold adaptation mechanisms is vital for poultry welfare and productivity.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the impact of intermittent and mild cold stimulation (IMCS) on broiler thymus immunity.
To determine the optimal IMCS protocol for enhancing cold resistance in broilers.
To investigate the effects of IMCS on gene expression of immune markers and stress hormones.

Main Methods:

Four hundred Ross 308 broilers were exposed to varying durations of mild cold (3°C below normal) and acute cold stress (10°C).
Gene expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs), cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IFN-α), and avian β-defencins (AvBDs) in the thymus was measured.
Serum levels of ACTH and cortisol (CORT) were analyzed at 50 days of age.

Main Results:

IMCS generally decreased TLRs and AvBDs expression at early ages (22, 36 days), with the lowest levels in the 5-hour stimulation group (CS5).
At later ages (43, 49 days), most TLRs and AvBDs expression in IMCS groups was lower than controls, but CS5 birds showed age-similar trends.
CS5 group exhibited the highest cytokine expression at 36 days and maintained stable ACTH and CORT levels post-acute cold stress.

Conclusions:

IMCS effectively modulates broiler thymus immune function, promoting homeostasis and enhancing cold resistance.
A specific IMCS protocol (3°C reduction for 5 hours) proved optimal for cold adaptation.
This study provides a practical strategy for improving broiler resilience to cold environments.