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. 2023 Feb;102(2):102407.
doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2022.102407. Epub 2022 Dec 9.

Effect of intermittent mild cold stimulation on intestinal immune function and the anti-stress ability of broilers

Shijie Zhang  1 , Rixin Gong  1 , Ning Zhao  1 , Yong Zhang  1 , Lu Xing  1 , Xiaotao Liu  1 , Jun Bao  2 , Jianhong Li  3
Affiliations

Effect of intermittent mild cold stimulation on intestinal immune function and the anti-stress ability of broilers

Shijie Zhang et al. Poult Sci. 2023 Feb.

Abstract

A total of 240 healthy 1-day-old Ross 308 male broilers were randomly divided into 3 groups (CS0 group, CS3 group, and CS6 group), with 5 replicates in each group and 16 broilers in each replicate, in order to evaluate the effects of intermittent mild cold stimulation (IMCS) on the intestinal immune function and anti-cold stress ability of broilers after acute cold stress. The mRNA expression levels of cytokines and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the duodenum and jejunum were detected at the end of cold stimulation (36 d), 2 wk after recovery (50 d), and after acute cold stress (Y6). In addition, the mRNA and protein expression levels of heat shock proteins (HSPs) were measured before and after acute cold stress. The experimental data were statistically processed using 1-way ANOVA and Duncan's multiple comparisons. The results showed that the mRNA expression levels of IL2, IL8, IFN γ, TLR7, and TLR21 in the duodenum and IL2 and IFN γ in jejunum were significantly higher in the CS6 group than in the CS0 and CS3 groups at 36 d (P < 0.05). All TLR levels in the jejunum were significantly lower in the CS3 group than in the CS0 and CS6 groups at 36 d (P < 0.05). After 6 h of acute cold stress, in the duodenum, the mRNA expression levels of IL6 and IL8 were significantly decreased in the CS0 and CS6 groups compared to levels at 50 d (P < 0.05), while levels in the CS3 group remained stable (P > 0.05). Compared with 50 d, the expression level of HSP mRNA in the jejunum in the CS3 group was relatively stable compared to that in the CS0 and CS6 groups after acute cold stress (P > 0.05). At the protein level, the HSP60 expression level in the duodenum and HSP40, HSP60, and HSP70 expression levels in the jejunum were significantly higher in the CS3 group than in the CS0 and CS6 groups after acute cold stress (P < 0.05). In conclusion, cold stimulation training at 3℃/3 h lower than the conventional feeding temperature can improve the intestinal immune function and anti-stress ability of broilers.

Keywords: broiler; cold adaptation; immune regulation; intermittent mild cold stimulation; small intestine.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The specific experimental temperature scheme.
Figure 2-1
Figure 2
Effect of intermittent cold stimulation on cytokines mRNA expression in duodenum of broilers. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation. (a-c) indicate significant difference between treatment groups (P < 0.05). x and y indicate significant difference 36 d and 50 d (P < 0.05).
Figure 2-2
Figure 3
Effect of intermittent cold stimulation on cytokines mRNA expression in jejunum of broilers. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation. (a-c) indicate significant difference between treatment groups (P < 0.05). x and y indicate significant difference 36 d and 50 d (P < 0.05).
Figure 3-1
Figure 4
Effect of intermittent cold stimulation on Toll-like receptors (TLRs) mRNA expression in duodenum of broilers. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation. (a-c) indicate significant difference between treatment groups (P < 0.05). x and y indicate significant difference 36 d and 50 d (P < 0.05).
Figure 3-2
Figure 5
Effect of intermittent cold stimulation on Toll-like receptors (TLRs) mRNA expression in jejunum of broilers. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation. (a-c) indicate significant difference between treatment groups (P < 0.05). x and y indicate significant difference 36 d and 50 d (P < 0.05).
Figure 4-1
Figure 6
Effect of acute cold stress on cytokines mRNA expression in duodenum of broilers. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation. (a-c) indicate significant difference between treatment groups (P < 0.05). x and y indicate significant difference 50 d and Y6 (P < 0.05).
Figure 4-2
Figure 7
Effect of acute cold stress on cytokines mRNA expression in jejunum of broilers. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation. (a-c) indicate significant difference between treatment groups (P < 0.05). x and y indicate significant difference 50 d and Y6 (P < 0.05).
Figure 5-1
Figure 8
Effect of acute cold stress on Toll-like receptors (TLRs) mRNA expression in duodenum of broilers. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation. (a-c) indicate significant difference between treatment groups (P < 0.05). x and y indicate significant difference 50 d and Y6 (P < 0.05).
Figure 5-2
Figure 9
Effect of acute cold stress on Toll-like receptors (TLRs) mRNA expression in jejunum of broilers. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation. (a-c) indicate significant difference between treatment groups (P < 0.05). x and y indicate significant difference 50 d and Y6 (P < 0.05).
Figure 6-1
Figure 10
Effect of acute cold stress on heat shock protein (HSPs) mRNA expression in duodenum of broilers. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation. (a-c) indicate significant difference between treatment groups (P < 0.05). x and y indicate significant difference 50 d and Y6 (P < 0.05).
Figure 6-2
Figure 11
Effect of acute cold stress on heat shock protein (HSPs) mRNA expression in jejunum of broilers. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation. (a-c) indicate significant difference between treatment groups (P < 0.05). x and y indicate significant difference 50 d and Y6 (P < 0.05).
Figure 7-1
Figure 12
Effect of acute cold stress on heat shock protein (HSPs) protein expression in duodenum of broilers. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation. (a-c) indicate significant difference between treatment groups (P < 0.05). x and y indicate significant difference 50 d and Y6 (P < 0.05).
Figure 7-2
Figure 13
Effect of acute cold stress on heat shock protein (HSPs) protein expression in jejunum of broilers. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation. (a-c) indicate significant difference between treatment groups (P < 0.05). x and y indicate significant difference 50 d and Y6 (P < 0.05).
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