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Appropriate cold stimulation changes energy distribution to improve stress resistance in broilers.
Rixin Gong1, Lu Xing1, Jingwen Yin1
1College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, China.
Journal of Animal Science
|June 6, 2023
Summary
Intermittent mild cold stimulation (IMCS) improved broiler liver energy metabolism and stress resistance. This adaptation helped broilers cope with acute cold stress (ACS) and maintain stable energy levels.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Physiology
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Cold environments negatively impact broiler health and productivity.
- Stress resistance and energy metabolism are crucial for poultry survival in suboptimal temperatures.
- Intermittent mild cold stimulation (IMCS) is a potential strategy to enhance broiler resilience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of IMCS on energy metabolism in broiler livers.
- To assess the impact of IMCS on broiler response to acute cold stress (ACS).
- To identify key genes and pathways involved in the adaptive response to cold.
Main Methods:
- 96 male Ross-308 broilers were divided into control (CC) and IMCS (H5) groups.
- IMCS involved exposing broilers to 3°C lower temperatures for 5 hours every other day from day 15 to 35.
- Transcriptome sequencing and gene expression analysis were performed on liver tissues.
- Broilers were subjected to acute cold stress (ACS) at 10°C for 6 and 12 hours.
Main Results:
- IMCS positively affected production performance.
- 327 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, enriched in fatty acid and pyruvate metabolism pathways.
- Specific genes involved in fatty acid metabolism (ACAA1, ACAT2, ACSL1, CPT1A) and pyruvate metabolism (LDHB, PCK1) showed altered expression post-IMCS.
- IMCS-treated broilers exhibited increased heat shock protein (HSP) expression after 6h ACS, but reduced HSP levels after 12h ACS, suggesting improved adaptation.
Conclusions:
- IMCS enhances energy metabolism and stress resistance in broiler livers.
- IMCS aids broiler adaptation to cold, mitigating the negative effects of acute cold stress.
- The study identified key metabolic pathways and genes involved in cold adaptation in broilers.
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