RNA-Seq of Chicken Embryo Liver Reveals Transcriptional Pathways Influenced by Egg Formaldehyde Treatment
Hatchery fumigation is recognized as a crucial step to control the microbial bloom in the environment and formaldehyde is one of the most widely used disinfectants, to ensure successful hatchability and healthy production. Although in humans its usage is strictly regulated in many developed countries due to its carcinogenic properties, FA remains widely used in poultry hatcheries. Recent studies have shown it also poses significant risks to poultry health and performance. Yet, the impact of formaldehyde fumigation at molecular and cellular levels is not studied in poultry. The current study aimed to capture the in ovo transcriptional response of liver tissue to formaldehyde treatment. Chick embryos were subjected to formaldehyde fumigation treatment for 25 minutes at 24-25°C and 75% relative humidity, keeping a control group as untreated. On the 18th day of incubation at 37.8°C and 58-63% humidity, eggs were broken, and liver tissue were obtained for RNA isolation, cDNA library preparation and RNA sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis revealed 908 significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs), among which 814 were known genes and 94 were novel genes. Key DEGs and transcription factors were involved in oxidative stress, immuno-inflammatory responses, epigenetic modification and cellular adaptation related activities. These molecular and cellular findings might have a broader implication on early chick performance and health, especially in case of predisposition of disease conditions. Overall design: Transcriptomic response of chicken embryo liver cells to formaledhye in stimulated, using control as non treated eggs.