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Effects of environmental complexity on cerebral gene expression in broiler chickens reared under different housing
Aneta Jaszczyk1, Joanna Marchewka1, Patryk Sztandarski1
1Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzębiec, 05-552, Magdalenka, Poland.
Abstract:
Environmental complexity can influence neural plasticity, stress responses, and behavioral adaptation; however, its molecular effects in the avian brain remain poorly understood. The expression of 13 genes related to neuronal plasticity, neurotransmission, neuroendocrine regulation, cellular stress, and immune function was examined in broilers reared under four housing conditions differing in free-range access and environmental enrichment. Analyses were performed using pen level means with false discovery rate correction. Free-range access affected 12 genes, environmental enrichment affected five, and eight genes showed an interaction between the two factors. Broilers provided with both free-range access and environmental enrichment was associated with the highest expression of genes related to neuronal plasticity and glutamatergic signaling, whereas neuromodulatory, neuroendocrine, and immune related genes showed more variable responses. Principal component analysis showed the clearest separation between the control group and the group provided with both free-range access and environmental enrichment, whereas the indoor housing with environmental enrichment and free-range without environmental enrichment groups displayed more intermediate expression profiles. No sex related effects remained significant after correction. These findings identify candidate molecular correlates of broiler housing conditions.
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