Transcriptomic Study on the Lungs of Broilers with Ascites Syndrome.

Area of Science:

• * Poultry Science
• * Molecular Biology
• * Veterinary Pathology

Background:

• * Ascites syndrome (AS) in broilers is a significant economic concern with unclear pathogenesis.
• * Cardiopulmonary dysfunction leads to hypoxia, making the lung a primary target organ.
• * The lung transcriptome in broiler AS has not been previously investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying broiler ascites syndrome by analyzing lung tissue transcriptomes.
• * To identify differentially expressed genes and enriched pathways in AS-affected broiler lungs.
• * To provide potential targets for understanding and preventing AS in poultry.

Main Methods:

• * Construction of a broiler ascites syndrome model.
• * RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of lung tissues from AS and healthy control broilers.
• * Pathological observation and bioinformatics analysis (GO, KEGG).

Main Results:

• * Significant differential expression of 614 up-regulated and 828 down-regulated genes in AS lungs.
• * Key up-regulated genes include FABP4, APLN, EIF2AK4, HMOX1, MMP9, THBS1, TLR4, BCL2.
• * Key down-regulated genes include APELA, FGF7, WNT5A, CDK6, IL7, IL7R, APLNR.
• * KEGG analysis revealed enrichment of metabolic processes, indicating abnormal lung metabolism in AS.

Conclusions:

• * This study provides the first comprehensive transcriptome analysis of broiler AS lung tissue.
• * Identified genes and pathways are associated with cardiovascular diseases and metabolic dysfunction.
• * Findings elucidate potential molecular targets for AS pathogenesis and prevention strategies in broilers.