• Animal Bioscience
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.367-376
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• 2022

Objective: The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) is a threat to the poultry industry as well as the economy and remains a potential source of pandemic infection in humans. Antiviral genes are considered a potential factor for HPAIV resistance. Therefore, in this study, we investigated gene expression related to cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions by comparing resistant and susceptible Ri chicken lines for avian influenza virus infection. Methods: Ri chickens of resistant (Mx/A; BF2/B21) and susceptible (Mx/G; BF2/B13) lines were selected by genotyping the Mx dynamin like GTPase (Mx) and major histocompatibility complex class I antigen BF2 genes. These chickens were then infected with influenza A virus subtype H5N1, and their lung tissues were collected for RNA sequencing. Results: In total, 972 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were observed between resistant and susceptible Ri chickens, according to the gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathways. In particular, DEGs associated with cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions were most abundant. The expression levels of cytokines (interleukin-1β [IL-1β], IL-6, IL-8, and IL-18), chemokines (C-C Motif chemokine ligand 4 [CCL4] and CCL17), interferons (IFN-γ), and IFN-stimulated genes (Mx1, CCL19, 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthase-like, and protein kinase R) were higher in H5N1-resistant chickens than in H5N1-susceptible chickens. Conclusion: Resistant chickens show stronger immune responses and antiviral activity (cytokines, chemokines, and IFN-stimulated genes) than those of susceptible chickens against HPAIV infection.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제35권12호
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• pp.1967-1976
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize the fecal microbiota of broiler chickens reared in the presence of different shades of light-emitting diode (LED) lights, correlating this information with biochemical and molecular evidence that allowed drawing conclusions on the state of health of the animals. Methods: Overall, the metagenomic approach on fecal samples was associated with evaluations on enzymes involved in the cellular response to oxidative stress: glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase and catalase; while the inflammatory aspect was studied through the dosage of a proinflammatory cytokine, the interleukin 6 (IL-6), and the evaluation of the matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2) and 9 (MMP-9). Specifically, analysis was performed on distinct groups of chickens respectively raised in the presence of neutral (K = 3,300 to 3,700), cool (K = 5,500 to 6,000), and warm (K = 3,000 to 2,500) LED lightings, and a direct comparison was performed with animals reared with traditional neon lights. Results: The metagenomic analysis highlighted the presence of two most abundant bacterial phyla, the Firmicutes and the Bacteroidetes, with the latter characterized by a greater relative abundance (p<0.05) in the group of animals reared with Neutral LED light. The analysis on the enzymes involved in the antioxidant response showed an effect of the LED light, regardless of the applied shade, of reducing the expression of GPX (p<0.01), although this parameter is not correlated to an effective reduction in the tissue amount of the enzyme. Regarding the inflammatory state, no differences associated with IL-6 and MMP-9 were found; however, is noteworthy the significant reduction of MMP-2 activity in tissue samples obtained from animals subjected to illumination with neutral LED light. Conclusion: This evidence, combined with the metagenomic findings, supports a potential positive effect of neutral LED lighting on animal welfare, although these considerations must be reflected in more targeted biochemical evaluations.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.382-392
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• 2012

This study evaluated the effects of dietary anticoccidial drugs plus antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) on parameters of immunity in commercial broiler chickens. Day-old chicks were raised on used litter from a farm with endemic gangrenous dermatitis to simulate natural pathogen exposure and provided with diets containing decoquinate (DECX) or monensin (COBN) as anticoccidials plus bacitracin methylene disalicylate and roxarsone as AGPs. As a negative control, the chickens were fed with a non-supplemented diet. Immune parameters examined were concanavalin A (ConA)-stimulated spleen cell proliferation, intestine intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) and spleen cell subpopulations, and cytokine/chemokine mRNA levels in IELs and spleen cells. ConA-induced proliferation was decreased at 14 d post-hatch in DECX-treated chickens, and increased at 25 and 43 d in COBN-treated animals, compared with untreated controls. In DECX-treated birds, increased percentages of $MHC2^+$ and $CD4^+$ IELS were detected at 14 d, but decreased percentages of these cells were seen at 43 d, compared with untreated controls, while increased $TCR2^+$ IELs were evident at the latter time. Dietary COBN was associated with decreased fractions of $MHC2^+$ and $CD4^+$ IELs and reduced percentages of $MHC2^+$, $BU1^+$, and $TCR1^+$ spleen cells compared with controls. The levels of transcripts for interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-6, IL-17F, IL-13, CXCLi2, interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$), and transforming growth factor${\beta}$4 were elevated in IELs, and those for IL-13, IL-17D, CXCLi2, and IFN-${\gamma}$ were increased in spleen cells, of DECX- and/or COBN-treated chickens compared with untreated controls. By contrast, IL-2 and IL-12 mRNAs in IELs, and IL-4, IL-12, and IL-17F transcripts in spleen cells, were decreased in DECX- and/or COBN-treated chickens compared with controls. These results suggest that DECX or COBN, in combination with bacitracin and roxarsone, modulate the development of the chicken post-hatch immune system.

• 한국가금학회지
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.275-282
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• 2017

본 연구는 규산염 복합광물질의 수준별 급여가 육계의 생산성 및 면역능력에 미치는 영향을 구명하기 위하여 5주간 사양실험을 실행하였다. 처리구는 1일령 코브 450수에 시판용 육계용 사료를 기초사료로 하여 규산염 광물질을 0%, 0.05%, 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.20% 수준으로 첨가하였으며, 5개 처리구, 처리구당 6반복 반복당 15수씩 배치하였으며, 체중과 사료섭취량은 주간단위로 측정하였고, 실험 종료 시에 계육품질, 혈액 성상 및 계육의 지방산 함량, 면역능력에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 전체 사양시험 기간의 체중과 증체량은 0.10%의 첨가수준에서 대조구에 비하여 유의하게 높게 나타났다(p<0.05). 사료섭취량과 사료요구율은 처리구간에 차이가 없었지만, 사육초기 7일간 사료요구율은 복합광물질 처리구에서 개선되는 경향을 보였다. 혈중 알부민, 혈당 등, 건강과 관련되는 다른 인자들은 대조구에 비하여 규산염 첨가구에서 수준별로 반응하며 개선되는 경향을 보였다. 계육에서 육즙손실은 모든 광물질 급여구에서 대조구보다 매우 낮았다(p<0.05). 혈청 내 알부민 함량은 0.05% 첨가수준에서 증가하였으며(p<0.05), 글루코오스 함량은 0.05% 첨가 수준에서 가장 낮았다(p<0.05). 중성지방은 0.20% 첨가수준에서 현저히 증가되었으며, 0.05% 첨가수준에서 가장 낮았다(p<0.05). 가슴살에서 지방산 함량은 처리구간에 통계적 차이는 없었지만, 0.05%와 0.10% 첨가 급여구에서 불포화지방산이 증가하였고, 포화지방산이 감소하는 경향이 나타났다. 혈액 IL-2 유전자 발현은 0.05% 및 0.10% 첨가 급여구에서 다른 처리구보다 통계적으로 높게 나타났다(p<0.05). 본 실험 결과, 규산염 복합광물질의 0.10% 첨가 급여로 육계의 생산성은 개선되었으며, 계육에서 불포화지방산이 증가되었고, 혈액에서 건강과 관련된 인자들의 수준을 높게 하였으며, 면역 능력을 개선하였다.