Age-Related Changes in Serum Lipid Levels, Hepatic Morphology, Antioxidant Status, Lipid Metabolism Related Gene Expression and Enzyme Activities of Domestic Pigeon Squabs (Columba livia)

Abstract

<jats:p>The objective of this study was to evaluate the age-related changes in antioxidant status and the lipid metabolism of pigeon squabs (Columba livia), by determining the BW, antioxidant indices, serum lipid levels, lipid metabolism-related enzyme activities, lipid metabolism-related gene expression, and liver morphology in squabs. Ten squabs were randomly selected and sampled on the day of hatching (DOH), days 7 (D7), 14 (D14) and 21 (D21) post-hatch, respectively. The results showed that BW of squabs increased linearly from DOH to D21. The minimum fold of BW gain was observed in the phase from D14 to D21. Serum triglyceride and free fatty acid levels displayed linear and quadratic trends as age increased, with these maximum responses in D14. Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level responded to age linearly and quadratically with the minimum in D14. Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level and the ratio of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased linearly with age, whereas the very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level decreased linearly. The activities of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase in liver displayed linear and quadratic trends as age increased, with these minimum responses in D14. Hepatic malondialdehyde concentration responded to age linearly and quadratically, with the maximum in D14. Activities of lipoprotein lipase, hepatic lipase, and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase in liver responded to age linearly and quadratically, with these minimum responses in D14. Hepatic hormone-sensitive lipase activity displayed linear and quadratic trends as age increased with the maximum in D14. Hepatic acetyl CoA carboxylase activity on D14 was significantly lower than squabs on DOH and D7. Hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 mRNA expression responded to age linearly and quadratically, with minimum response in D14. Hepatic mRNA expression of acetyl CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthetase increased linearly with age. Hepatic Oil-Red-O staining area displayed a quadratic trend as age increased, with the maximum response in D14. In conclusion, the phase from DOH to D14 was a crucial development stage for growth, antioxidant status and lipid metabolism in pigeon squabs. The results suggest it is better to take nutritional manipulation in squabs before D14.</jats:p>

Early Weaning Stress Induces Intestinal Microbiota Disturbance, Mucosal Barrier Dysfunction and Inflammation Response Activation in Pigeon Squabs

“…It is important to note that immature gut microbiota is sensitive to early life stress and vulnerable to be disturbed. Previous study in our lab showed that a presumably more stable microbiota is not yet established by day 21 of age in squabs ( Xu et al, 2020 ). Taken together, our results based on alpha diversity indices and abundance analyses suggested that early weaning disturbed the intestinal microbiota of squabs which could lead to intestinal distress.…”

“…The young pigeons in the stage from hatch to the natural weaning and leaving the nest are called squabs. As the main product of meat pigeon breeding, they have extremely high nutritional value and are known as “one pigeon is better than nine chickens” ( Xu et al, 2020 ). Thus, the pigeon squab is an important representative of high-quality animal products and the consumer demand for squabs is increasing ( Ji et al, 2020 ).…”

Changes in energetic metabolism and lysosomal destruction in the skeletal muscle and cardiac tissues of pigeons (Columba livia f. urbana) from urban areas of the northern Pomeranian region (Poland)

“…In normal physiological conditions, the law of maintaining energy homeostasis, i.e. balancing energy production in energy-synthetic systems and its use in energy consumption reactions, is preserved both at the level of the whole organism and at the level of the cell (Xu et al 2020). This presupposes the existence of special regulatory systems that control energy consumption and energy-producing processes, the dysregulation of which can cause pathological conditions (Xie et al 2018).…”