title: Effects of acute heat stress on gene expression of brain-gut neuropeptides in broiler chickens.
abstract: Heat stress-induced reduction in feed intake is an annoyance of the poultry industry. Feed intake is regulated by complex mechanisms in which brain-gut neuropeptides are involved, but the changes in such neuropeptides in broiler chickens during heat exposure remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of acute heat stress (35°C, 6 h, and 65% relative humidity) on the gene expression of appetite-regulating peptides in the hypothalamus and gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens at 42 d of age. The hypothalamic mRNA levels of neuropeptide Y, agouti-related peptide, pro-opiomelanocortin, cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript, corticotropin-releasing hormone, melanocortin 4 receptor, melanin-concentrating hormone, prepro-orexin, cholecystokinin (CCK), and ghrelin did not significantly change (P>0.05) in the heat-exposed broiler chickens. However, the mRNA levels of ghrelin in the glandular stomach, duodenum, and jejunum significantly increased and the mRNA level of CCK in the duodenum significantly decreased. The results indicate that acute heat stress had no effect on the gene expression of central appetite-regulating peptides under current experimental conditions; however, some gastrointestinal tract peptides (e.g., ghrelin and CCK) might play a role in the regulation of appetite in acute heat-exposed broiler chickens. Furthermore, ghrelin in the glandular stomach, duodenum, and jejunum might be the main regulative target of acute heat stress induced anorexia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hepeng
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xianlei
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hongchao
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hai
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sheikhahmadi
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yufeng
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhigang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D009479:Neuropeptides