Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of thermal conditioning on serum electrolytes, metabolites, corticosterone and expression of CRH gene in selected chicken strains

  • Animal Genetics • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Applied Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Early age thermal conditioning has been found to improve thermotolerance in birds. This study assessed the effect of perinatal thermal conditioning on serum parameters, corticosterone, free fatty acid, globulin and expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) gene in five chicken strains; using fifty chicks per strain of Cobb 500 (C500), Ross 308 (R308), Shika Brown (SB), Normal Feathered Nigeria Indigenous (NF) and FUNAAB Alpha (FA). Twenty-five chicks per strain were conditioned at 40 ± 1 °C for 3 h on day 6. On day 10, both conditioned and unconditioned chicks were challenged acutely at 40 ± 1 °C for 15 min, without feed and water. Body weight and feed intake data were collected before and after the heat exposures. Blood samples were collected to determine serum electrolytes, metabolites and corticosterone levels. Brain tissue samples were collected from the 10-day-old conditioned and unconditioned chicks, from which RNA were extracted, synthesized into cDNA and subjected to qPCR. Serum parameters were significantly affected (p < 0.05) by strain, thermal conditioning and their interactions. Calcium and glucose concentrations were highest in NF while FA had highest in sodium. Calcium, glucose and phosphorus were higher in conditioned birds. NF had the highest free fatty acid while FA had the lowest. C500 had the highest globulin levels. Thermal conditioning significantly lowered corticosterone levels in conditioned birds. CRH was shown to be overexpressed in C500. From this research, it can be concluded that early age thermal conditioning affects body temperature regulation in chickens and enhances thermotolerance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

  • Ali A, Erenstein O (2017) Assessing farmer use of climate change adaptation practices and impacts on food security and poverty in Pakistan. Clim Risk Manag Amst, Neth Elsevier 16:183–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crm.2016.12.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amrutkar SA, Saxena VK, Tomar S (2016) Influence of different tropical stress conditions on biochemical parameters in various broiler strains. Ind J Animal Res 50(1):945–955

    Google Scholar 

  • Arjona AA, Denbow DM, Weaver WD (1988) Effect of heat stress early in life on mortality of broilers exposed to high environmental temperatures just prior to marketing. Poult Sci 67:226–231. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps0670226

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Austic RE (1985) Feeding poultry in hot and cold climates. Pages 123–136 in Stress Physiology in Livestock. Vol. III: Poultry ed. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL

  • Barek MA, Ahmad N, Majumder S, Islam K, Islam R (2003) Haemato-biochemical parameters and performances of broiler fed with soybean oil and protein supplementation. Bangladesh J Animal Sci 32(1–2):131–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks N, Adger NW, Kelly PM (2005) The determinants of vulnerability and adaptive capacity at the national level and the implications for adaptation. Glob Environ Chang 15(2):151–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byerly MS, Simon J, Lebihan-Duval E, Duclos MJ, Cogburn LA, Porter TE (2009) Effects of BDNF, T3, and corticosterone on expression of the hypothalamic obesity gene network in vivo and in vitro. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 296(4):R1180–R1189

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Cramer T, Kisliouk T, Yeshurun S, Meiri N (2015) The balance between stress resilience and vulnerability is regulated by corticotropin-releasing hormone during the critical postnatal period for sensory development. Dev Neurobiol 75(8):842–853. https://doi.org/10.1002/dneu.22252

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Basilio V, Requena F, León A, Vilariño M, Picard M (2003) Early age thermal conditioning immediately reduces body temperature of broiler chicks in a tropical environment. Poult Sci 82:1235–1241

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Basilio V, Vilariño M, Yahav S, Picard M (2001) Early age thermal conditioning and a dual feeding program for male broilers challenged by heat stress. Poult Sci 80:29–36

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deaton JW, Reece FN, Branton SL, May DJ (1986) High environmental temperature and broiler livability. Poult Sci 65:1268–1269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deressa TT, Hassan RM, Ringler C, Alemu T, Yesuf M (2009) Determinants of farmers’ choice of adaptation methods to climate change in the Nile Basin of Ethiopia. Glob Environ Chang 19:248–255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dutta RK, Islam MS, Kabir MdA (2013) Haematological and biochemical profiles of Gallus Indigenous, exotic and hybrid chicken breeds (Gallus Domesticus L.) from Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Bangladesh J Zool 41(2):135–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fairchild Brian (2012). Environmental factors to control when brooding chicks. UGA Cooperative Extension Bulletin 1287

  • Faria-Filho DE (2006) Aspectos produtivos, metabólicos, econômicos e ambientais da nutrição protéica para frangos expostos ao calor [tese]. Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal (SP)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gbetibouo GA (2009) Understanding farmers’ perception and adaptations to climate change and variasbility: the case of Limpopo Basin, South Africa. IFPRI Discussion Paper, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC

  • Geraert PA, Guillaumin S, Leclercq B (1993) Are genetically lean broilers more resistant to hot climate? Br Poult Sci 34:643–653

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gomez KA, Gomez AA (1984) Statistical procedures for agricultural research, 2nd edn. John Wiley and Sons Inc., New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez-Esquerra R, Leeson S (2005) Effects of acute versus chronic heat stress on broiler response to dietary protein. Poult Sci 84:1562–1569

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gowe RS, Fairfull RW (2008) Breeding for resistance to heat stress. In: Daghir NJ (ed) Poultry production in hot climates. CAB International, Oxford, pp 13–29

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Huang Shu-cheng, He-ping Yang, Mujeeb Ur Rehman and Zong-xi Tong (2017) Acute heat stress in broiler chickens and its impact on serum biochemical and electrolyte parameters. Indian Journal of Animal Research, 52(5):683–686. Print ISSN: 0367–6722 / Online ISSN: 0976–0555. https://doi.org/10.18805/ijar.v0iOF.8490

  • Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2007) Climate change 2007: synthesis report. In: Pachauri, R.K., Reisinger, A. (Eds.), Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland, p. 104

  • Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2014). Climate change 2014: synthesis report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing Team: R.K. Pachauri and L.A. Meyer (eds.)]. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland.

  • Kataria Nalini, Anil Kumar Kataria and Ajey Kumar Gahlot (2008) Ambient temperature associated variations in serum hormones and interrelated analytes of broiler chickens in arid tract. Slov Vet Res, 45(4): 127–34. UDC 636.5.083.1:620.171.3:616.15:612.018

  • Kuenzel WJ, Jurkevich A (2010) Molecular neuroendocrine events during stress in poultry. Poult Sci 89(4):832–840

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lalhriatpuii M, Haldar S (2012) Dietary electrolyte balance in heat stressed broiler chickens. Engormix/Poultry Industry/Technical articles/Nutrition

  • Lamont SJ, Coble DJ, Bjorkquist A, Rothschild MF, Persia M, Ashwell C, Schmidt C (2015a) Genomics of heat stress in chickens. Proceed, 10th World Congress Genetics Appl to Livestock Prod

  • Lamont SJ, Kaiser MG, Rothschild MF, Persia ME, Ashwell C, Schmidt C (2015b) Breed differences in physiologic response to embryonic thermal conditioning and post-hatch heat stress in chickens. Animal Ind Rep, AS661, ASLR2995

  • Lara LJ, Rostagno MH (2013) Impact of heat stress on poultry production: review. Animals 3:356–369

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Leeson S (1986) Nutritional considerations of poultry during heat stress. World’s Poult Sci J 42:69–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin H, Decuypere E, Buyse J (2006) Acute heat stress induces oxidative stress in broiler chickens. Comp Biochem Physiol, Part A: Mol Integr Physiol 144:11–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Livak KJ, Schmittgen TD (2001) Analysis of relative gene expression data using real-time quantitative PCR and the 2(-delta delta C(T)) method. Methods 25:402–408

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ma J (2014) Lycopene reduces the negative effects induced by lipopolysaccharide in breeding hens. Br Poult Sci 55(5):628

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martin MP, Wineland M, Barnes HJ (2010) Selected blood chemistry and gas reference ranges for broiler breeders using the i-STAT handheld clinical analyzer. Avian Dis 54(3):1016–1020

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ouchi Y, Chowdhury VS, Cockrem JF, Bungo T (2021) Effects of thermal conditioning on changes in hepatic and muscular tissue associated with reduced heat production and body temperature in young chickens. Front Vet Sci 7:610319. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.610319

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Plyaschenko SI, Sidorov VT (1987) Stresses in farm animals. Agropromizdat. Moscow. 192. Poult Sci 86:1025–1036

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiao S, Wu Y, Lai C, Gong L, Lu W, Li D (2005) Properties of Aspergillar xylanase and the effects of xylanase supplementation in wheat-based diets on growth performance and the blood biochemical values in broilers. Asian-Aust J Animal Sci 18(1):66–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quinteiro-Filho WM, Ribeiro A, Ferraz-de-Paula V, Pinheiro ML, Sakai M, Sa LRA, Ferreira J, Palermo-Neto J (2010) Heat stress impairs performance parameters, induces intestinal injury, and decreases macrophage activity in broiler chickens. Poult Sci 89:1905–1914

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rimoldi S, Lasagna E, Sarti M, Stefano F, Marelli P, Cozzi CM, Bernardini G, Terova G (2015) Expression profile of six stress-related genes and productive performances of fast and slow growing broiler strains reared under heat stress conditions. Meta Gene 6:17–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mgene.2015.08.003

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ritchie BW, Harrison JG, Harrison RL (1994) Avian medicine. Winger’s Publishing Inc, Florida

    Google Scholar 

  • Salem MH, Norton HW, Nalbandov AV (1970) The role of vasotocin and CRF in ACTH release in the chicken. Gen Comp Endocrinol 14:281–289

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sasipriya G, Siddhuraju P (2013) Evaluation of growth performance, serum biochemistry and haematological parameters on broiler birds fed with raw and processed samples of entada scandens, canavalia gladiata and canavalia ensiformis seed meal as an alternative protein source. Trop Animal Health Prod 45(3):811–820

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simaraks S, Chinrasri O, Aengwanich S (2004) Hematological, electrolyte and serum biochemical values of the Thai indigenous chickens (Gallus domesticus) in northeastern, Thailand. Songklanakarin J Sci Technol 26(3):425–430

    Google Scholar 

  • Simaraks S, Chinrasri O, Anegwanich S (2005) Haematological, electrolyte and serum biochemical values of the Thai indigenous chickens (Gallus domesticus) in northeastern Thailand. Songklanakarin J Sci Technol 26(3):425–430

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith SM, Vale WW (2006) The role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in neuroendocrine responses to stress. Dialogues Clin Neurosci 8:383–395

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Stern N (2007) Frontmatter. In: The economics of climate change: the stern review. p. I-VI. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

  • Tanizawa H, Shiraishi J, Kawakami S, Tsudzuki M, Bungo T (2014) Effect of short-term thermal conditioning on physiological and behavioral responses to subsequent acute heat exposure in chicks. Jpn Poult Sci Assoc. https://doi.org/10.2141/jpsa.0130040

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teeter RG, Belay T (1996) Broiler management during heat stress. Anim Feed Sci Technol 58:127–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tietz NW (1995) Clinical guide on laboratory tests, 3rd edn. Pa W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, p 286

    Google Scholar 

  • Uni Z, Gal-Garber O, Geyra A, Sklan D, Yahav S (2001) Changes in growth and function of chick small intestine epithelium due to early thermal conditioning. Poult Sci 80:438–445. https://doi.org/10.1093/ps/80.4438

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yahav S, Hurwitz S (1996) Induction of thermotolerance in male broiler chickens by temperature conditioning at an early age. Poult Sci 75:402–406. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps0750402

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yahav S, McMurtry JP (2001) Thermotolerance acquisition in broiler chickens by temperature conditioning early in life-the effect of timing and ambient temperature. Poult Sci 80:1662–1666. https://doi.org/10.1093/ps/80.121662

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yahav SA (2000) Domestic fowl-strategies to confront environmental conditions. Avian Poult Biol Rev 11:81–95

    Google Scholar 

  • ŽivkovBaloš M, Jakšić S, Knežević S, Kapetanov M (2016) Electrolytes–sodium, potassium and chlorides in poultry nutrition. Arhiv Veterinarske Med 9(1):31–42

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge Prof. Ikhide Imumorin, Dr. Paul Akinduti of Covenant University and Mr. Timilehin Alakoya for their contributions to the success of the research in the areas of technical/laboratory and statistical analyses. They also extend their gratitude to the Molecular Laboratory of the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology for hosting Itunuola Anne Folarin during the periods of internship.

Funding

This research was funded by the Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment (CEADESE), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria (Grant Number: World Bank ACE 023).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Alabata Road, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

    Itunuola Anne Folarin, Olajide Olowofeso, Christian Obiora Ndubuisi Ikeobi, Olukayode Dewunmi Akinyemi & Olusola Thomas Oduoye

  2. Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Alabata Road, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

    Olajide Olowofeso, Christian Obiora Ndubuisi Ikeobi, Babatunde Moses Ilori & Mathew Wheto

  3. National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, P.M.B. 5382, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

    Olusola Thomas Oduoye

Authors
  1. Itunuola Anne Folarin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Olajide Olowofeso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Christian Obiora Ndubuisi Ikeobi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Olukayode Dewunmi Akinyemi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Olusola Thomas Oduoye
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Babatunde Moses Ilori
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Mathew Wheto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

IAF acquired, analysed and interpreted the data under the supervision of OO, CONI, ODA and OTO as well as wrote the first draft of this manuscript. All the authors, including BMI and MW, contributed to the content, as well as read, edited and fine-tuned the manuscript. All authors approve the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Itunuola Anne Folarin.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Statement of animal rights

Procedures followed for animal studies were approved by the ethics committee of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

Additional information

Communicated by: Maciej Szydlowski

Publisher's note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Folarin, I.A., Olowofeso, O., Ikeobi, C.O.N. et al. Effect of thermal conditioning on serum electrolytes, metabolites, corticosterone and expression of CRH gene in selected chicken strains. J Appl Genetics 63, 729–741 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13353-022-00714-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13353-022-00714-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation