Effects of Heat Stress on Histomorphology and Tight Junction Genes Expression in the Cecum of Broiler Chickens
Effects of Heat Stress on Histomorphology and Tight Junction Genes Expression in the Cecum of Broiler Chickens
Ho Thi Dung, Nguyen Van Chao, Nguyen Thi Hoa, Le Dinh Phung, Tran Thi Na, Nguyen Thi Thuy, Tran Nguyen Thao, Pham Hoang Son Hung*
ABSTRACT
Heat stress exert a significant toll on global poultry industry in the context of climate change. While extensive research has delved into the impact on poultry gut health and their productivity caused by heat stress, the fundamental mechanisms associated with heat stress responses and intestinal barrier function, especially in the large intestine, remain inadequately defined. This study aimed to determine histomorphology change and tight junction genes expression in the cecum of chicken exposing to heat stress. Fifty broiler chickens at 14 days old were randomly allocated to the thermoneutral control (TC) treatment and the high ambient temperature (HT) treatment (5 cages of 5 chickens per treatment). The broilers of the TC treatment remained under a constant 26 ± 1°C (mean ± standard deviation), while those of the HT treatment were maintained under a constant high temperature of 35 ± 1°C. At 24 days of age, all chickens were sacrificed, and their cecum were collected for histomorphological observation by HE staining and checking the gene expression of tight junction genes by RT-qPCR. Results showed that chickens in the HT group tended to reduce mucosal length and higher lesion score in cecum (p=0.057). The mRNA expression levels of tight junction genes in the cecum revealed claudin 3 expression increased in the HS treatment (p<0.05), while there was no difference in claudin 1, claudin 2, E-cadherin and ZO-1 expression (p>0.05). Overall, high temperature exposure upregulated claudins gene expression thus reduced intestinal integrity. This caused an increased inflammation and mucosal damage in the cecum of chickens.
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