Heat tolerance in poultry production was obtained attention due to the need for genetic lines that can withstand climate changes. This study aimed at investigating heat tolerance in commercial and native broiler genetics, as well as the physiological and growth performance responses of HSP70 genotypes submitted to heat stress. In Experiment I, heterophil:lymphocyte (H:L) ratio, as an indicator of heat tolerance, was compared between commercial broilers (n = 100) and Thai native chickens (n = 100). Growing chickens (with similar initial weight) of each genetic strain were randomly divided into two groups: 1) thermoneutral environment (26 o C ± 2 o C) and 2) heat stress (36 o C ± 2 o C). The results showed that native chickens originating from a tropical environment presented lower H:L ratio and mortality rate compared with commercial broilers. In Experiment II, HSP70 genotypes were compared. PCR-RFLP was applied to identify the genotypes (C1C1, n = 38; C1C2, n = 38; and C2C2, n = 28). Ten-week-old chickens of each genotype were evaluated in the same environments described in Experiment I. Heat-stress indicators -respiratory rate (RR), cloacal temperature (CT), packed cell volume (PCV), and average daily gain (ADG) -were measured for three weeks. The significant difference in PCV indicated that C2C2 chickens were less tolerant to heat stress compared to other genotypes. The RR, CT, and ADG were not significantly different among all genotypes. Since the C2C2 genotype was shown to be sensitive to heat stress, C1C1 and C1C2 could be used as markers for heat-tolerant genetic strains of Thai indigenous chickens and hybrid commercial lines.

Title of the manuscript: Gene expression of fatty acid binding protein genes and its relationship with fat deposition of Thai native crossbreed chickens ABSTRACT Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the mRNA expressions of Adipocyte type Fatty Acid Binding Protein (A-FABP) and Heart type FABP (H-FABP) in Thai native chicken crossbreeds and evaluate the level of exotic inclusion in native chicken that will improve growth and maintain its relatively low carcass fat. Methods: The fat deposition traits and mRNA expression of A-FABP and H-FABP were evaluated at 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age in 4 chicken breeds (n=8 /breed/week) [100% Chee breed (CH) (100% Thai native chicken background), CH male and broiler female (Kaimook e-san1; KM1) (50% CH background), broiler male and KM1 female (Kaimook e-san2; KM2) (25% CH background), and broiler (BR)] using abdominal fat and muscular tissues. Results: The BR breed was only evaluated at 6 weeks of age. At week 6, the CH breed has a significantly lower A-FABP expression in abdominal fat and intramuscular fat compared with the other breeds. At 8-12 weeks, the KM2 groups showed significant upregulation (P<0.05) of A-FABP in both ABF and IF compared to the CH and KM1 groups. The expression of H-FABP did not follow any consistent pattern in both Abdominal fat (ABF) and Intramuscular fat (IF) across the different ages. Conclusion: Some level of crossbreeding of CH chicken can be done to improve growth rate and maintain the low abdominal and intramuscular fat. The expression level of A-FABP correlate with almost fat traits. There was no consistent of H-FABP expression across breed. A-FABPs is involved in fat deposition, genetic markers in these genes could be used in marker assisted studies to select against excessive fat accumulation.

This study aimed to study the role of PPARs on fat deposition in native crossbred chicken. We studied the growth, abdominal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular fat, and mRNA expression of PPARA and PPARG in adipose and muscle tissues of four chicken breeds (CH breed (100% Thai native chicken), KM1 (50% CH background), KM2 (25% CH background), and broiler (BR)). The result shows that the BR chickens had higher abdominal fat than other breeds (p < 0.05) and the KM2 had an abdominal fat percentage higher than KM1 and CH respectively (p < 0.05). The intramuscular fat of BR was greater than KM1 and CH (p < 0.05). In adipose tissue, PPARA expression was different among the chicken breeds. However, there were breed differences in PPARG expression. Study of abdominal fat PPARG expression showed the BR breed, KM1, and KM2 breed significantly greater (p < 0.05) than CH. In 8 to 12 weeks of age, the PPARG expression of the CH breed is less than (p < 0.05) KM2. Crossbreeding improved the growth of the Thai native breed, there was also a corresponding increase in carcass fatness. However, there appears to be a relationship between PPARG expression and fat deposition traits. therefore, PPARG activity hypothesized to plays a key role in lipid accumulation by up-regulation.

Sulfate-based acid amendments are used for treating litter between broiler chicken flocks and during grow-out for in-house ammonia abatement. These amendments reduce litter pH and inhibit ammonia volatilization by converting ammonia to nonvolatile ammonium. Research on the effects of acid amendments on litter microbiota is limited and usually done in microcosms, which do not replicate natural environments. In this study, we determined the changes in bacterial populations present in litter during downtime (the period after a flock was removed and before new broiler chicks were placed) and 24 h before and after the application of a sodium bisulfate (NaHSO 4 )-based amendment. We used DNA sequencing technologies to characterize the litter microbiota, elucidating microbial shifts in litter samples with respect to downtime, litter depth, and NaHSO 4 application. During downtime (∼18 d), the litter microbiota was dominated by Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. Sodium bisulfate affected the microbiota in the top layer (3 cm) of reused litter topdressed with fresh pine shavings and resulted in an increase in Escherichia spp. and Faecalibacterium spp. and a decrease in members of the phylum Acidobacteria. Furthermore, culturable Escherichia coli decreased by 1.5 log units during downtime, but an increase was observed for topdressed litter after NaHSO 4 was applied. Although the effect of acidifiers on ammonia reduction, bird performance, and litter performance are well documented, their effect on litter bacteria is not well understood. Our results suggest that acidifiers may perturb litter bacteria when topdressed with fresh pine shavings and that further research is required.

Background: Crossbreeding using exotic breeds is usually employed to improve the growth characteristics of indigenous chickens. This mating not only provides growth but affect adversely to fat deposition as well. We studied the growth, abdominal, subcutaneous and intramuscular fat and mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α and PPARγ in adipose and muscle tissues of four chicken breeds [Chee breed (CH) (100% Thai native chicken), Kaimook e-san1 (KM1; 50% CH background), Kaimook e-san2 (KM2; 25% CH background), and broiler (BR)]. This study was aim to study role of PPARs on fat deposition in native crossbred chicken.Results: The BR chickens had higher abdominal fat than other breeds (P<0.05) and the KM2 had an abdominal fat percentage higher than KM1 and CH respectively (P<0.05). The intramuscular fat (IMF) of BR was greater than KM1 and CH (P<0.05). In adipose tissue, PPARα transcription expression was different among the chicken breeds. However, there were breed differences in PPARγ gene expression. Study of abdominal fat PPARγ gene expression showed the BR breed, KM1, and KM2 breed significantly greater (P<0.05) than CH. In 8 to 12 weeks of age, the result shows that the PPARγ expression of the CH breed is less than (P<0.05) KM2. The result of PPARs expression in muscle tissue was similar result in adipose tissue.Conclusion: Crossbreeding improved the growth of the Thai native breed, there was also a corresponding increase in carcass fatness. However, there appears to be a relationship between PPARγ expression and fat deposition traits. therefore, PPARγ activity plays a key role in lipid accumulation by up-regulation.