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. 2020 Jan;99(1):129-141.
doi: 10.3382/ps/pez570. Epub 2019 Dec 30.

Proper cold stimulation starting at an earlier age can enhance immunity and improve adaptability to cold stress in broilers

Yingying Su  1 , Shuang Li  2 , Hongwei Xin  3 , Jiafang Li  1 , Xiang Li  1 , Runxiang Zhang  1 , Jianhong Li  4 , Jun Bao  5
Affiliations

Proper cold stimulation starting at an earlier age can enhance immunity and improve adaptability to cold stress in broilers

Yingying Su et al. Poult Sci. 2020 Jan.

Abstract

The effects of long-term cold stimulation on the immune function of ileum and adaptability to cold stress in broilers were examined. A total of 360 Arbor Acres broilers was divided into 3 groups and four replicates per group. C (control) was reared in normal thermal environment. C-3 and C-12 (treatments) were kept in cold condition of 3 or 12°C lower than the temperature of C from days 8 to 42. At day 42, all the groups were exposed to an acute cold stress challenge, designated as S, S-3, and S-12. The mRNA levels of immune molecules and heat shock proteins as well as oxidative stress-related indicators in ileum tissues, and immunoglobulins contents in serum were examined at 14, 42, and 43 d of age. The C-3 regimen had no adverse effect on production performance, whereas the C-12 regimen reduced the production performance relative to C (P < 0.05). At day 42, C-3 had higher levels of immune indexes (P < 0.05), whereas C-12 had lower levels than C (P < 0.05). No differences in levels of oxidative stress-related indicators were found between C and C-3 at day 42 (P > 0.05). S-3 had higher levels of immune indexes and lower levels of oxidative stress-related indicators (P < 0.05), as compared to S and S-12. The results suggest that 34 d of cold stimulation at 3°C lower than the normal temperature had no adverse impacts on production performance but enhanced the immunity of ileum and adaptability to acute cold challenge in broilers.

Keywords: adaptability; broiler ileum; cold stimulation; immunity; performance.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Experimental thermal conditions used in this study. “$” represents that cold stimulation starting from 07:00 h on day 8. “formula image” represents that acute cold stress starting from 07:00 h on day 42. “#” represents that acute cold stress finishing on 07:00 h on day 43.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Effects of long-term cold stimulation from 8 to 42 d of age on growth performance of AA broilers. Average daily weight gain (A), average daily feed intake (B), feed conversion ratio (C), and body weight (D). Data are presented as mean ± SE. Different superscript letters for a performance response indicate significant difference (P < 0.05). whereas with no superscripts or the same superscripts mean no significant difference (P > 0.05).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Messenger RNA levels of immunoglobulins in ileum of the AA broilers before and after the acute cold stress. Different superscripts represent significant difference (P < 0.05), whereas the same superscripts represent no significant difference (P > 0.05).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Messenger RNA levels of antimicrobial peptides in ileum of the AA broilers before and after the acute cold stress. Different superscripts represent significant difference (P < 0.05), whereas the same superscripts represent no significant difference (P > 0.05).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Messenger RNA levels of HSPs in ileum of the AA broilers before and after the acute cold stress. Different superscripts represent significant difference (P < 0.05), whereas the same superscripts represent no significant difference (P > 0.05).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Protein levels of HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90 in ileum of the AA broilers before and after the acute cold stress. Different superscripts represent significant difference (P < 0.05), whereas the same superscripts represent no significant difference (P > 0.05).
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