title: The effect of transport stress on turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) liver acute phase proteins gene expression.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of transport-related stress on the liver gene expression of four acute phase proteins (APP), namely α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Serum Amyloid A (SAA) and PIT54, in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). A group of seven BUT BIG 6 commercial hens was subjected to a two-hour long road transportation and the quantitative gene expression of APP in the liver was compared to that of a non transported control group. The expression of AGP and CRP mRNA was found to be increased in animals slaughtered after road transport. The presence of AGP protein was also confirmed by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The results of this study showed that road-transport may induce the mRNA expression of immune related proteins. The finding that AGP and CRP can be upregulated during transport could suggest their use as for the assessment of turkey welfare during transport.
authors: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, Università di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors: Andreia Tomás
authors: AT
authors: Marques
authors: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, Università di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Lecchi
authors: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, Università di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors: Guido
authors: G
authors: Grilli
authors: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, Università di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Giudice
authors: National Reference Centre of Animal Welfare, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna B. Ubertini, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
authors: Sara Rota
authors: SR
authors: Nodari
authors: National Reference Centre of Animal Welfare, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna B. Ubertini, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
authors: Leonardo J
authors: LJ
authors: Vinco
authors: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, Università di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy. Electronic address: fabrizio.ceciliani@unimi.it.
authors: Fabrizio
authors: F
authors: Ceciliani
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014186:Transportation; D014422:Turkeys / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins
keywords: Acute phase proteins; Animal welfare; Meleagris gallopavo; Road transportation stress; Turkey