Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2025
06:58
High-Throughput Assays of Critical Thermal Limits in Insects
Published on: June 15, 2020
5.1K
Exploring Evolutionary Adaptations and Genomic Advancements to Improve Heat Tolerance in Chickens
Ali Hassan Nawaz1, Phatthawin Setthaya2, Chungang Feng1
1College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|August 10, 2024
Summary
Climate change impacts poultry through heat stress. This review explores chicken genetics, identifying traits and genomic insights for breeding heat-tolerant poultry breeds to ensure industry sustainability.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Genetics
- Climate Change Adaptation
Background:
- Climate change and heat stress significantly threaten poultry production, impacting chicken growth and productivity.
- Selective breeding for production traits has reduced genetic diversity, increasing susceptibility to environmental stressors.
- Indigenous chicken breeds possess unique genetic traits for heat tolerance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolutionary background and genetic characteristics of chickens related to heat tolerance.
- To identify genes, pathways, and physiological/behavioral responses contributing to heat resistance in poultry.
- To explore genomic findings for developing sustainable poultry production under global warming.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of evolutionary background and genetic influences on heat tolerance.
- Evaluation of natural selection and human interventions in chicken breed development.
- Analysis of genomic studies, including genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping.
Main Results:
- Selective breeding has decreased genetic diversity, potentially limiting current breeds' adaptation to heat stress.
- Specific genetic traits like naked neck and dwarfism in indigenous chickens are associated with heat resistance.
- Key pathways involved in heat tolerance include heat shock response, antioxidant defense, immune function, and cellular homeostasis.
Conclusions:
- Understanding chicken genetics is crucial for developing breeds resilient to heat stress.
- Genomic insights can guide breeding strategies to enhance poultry sustainability in a changing climate.
- Further research into heat tolerance mechanisms will support the future of the poultry industry.
Related Concept Videos
02:45Responses to Heat and Cold Stress
13.4K
Every organism has an optimum temperature range within which healthy growth and physiological functioning can occur. At the ends of this range, there will be a minimum and maximum temperature that interrupt biological processes.
13.4K
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
6.5K
Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
6.5K
01:38Limits to Natural Selection
31.2K
Organisms that are well-adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. However, natural selection does not lead to perfectly adapted organisms. Several factors constrain natural selection.
31.2K
01:25Body Temperature
928
The body's temperature, measured in degrees, is determined by the balance between heat production and dissipation to the surrounding environment. For instance, if exercising vigorously, the body will produce more heat, causing sweat and dissipating that heat. Despite extreme environmental conditions and physical exertion, the human temperature-control system maintains a constant core body temperature (the temperature of deep tissues, which are the tissues located beneath the skin and other...
928
01:32What is Natural Selection?
115.0K
Natural selection is an evolutionary process in which individuals with survival-promoting traits reproduce at higher rates. These favorable traits become more common within a population or species. Naturally selected traits initially arise via random genetic mutations. In order for selection to occur, there must be variation within a population, the trait controlling the variation must be heritable, and there must be an evolutionary advantage for variation in the trait.
115.0K
01:26Thermoregulation
936
The human body has a sophisticated thermoregulation system that employs negative feedback mechanisms to maintain an optimal core temperature. When the core temperature drops, peripheral and central thermoreceptors send signals to the hypothalamus, activating the heat-promoting center. This center triggers several responses aimed at increasing the core temperature. First, vasoconstriction reduces the flow of warm blood from internal organs to the skin so that the heat is not lost from the skin,...
936