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

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.

A protected complex of biofactors and antioxidants improved growth performance and modulated the immunometabolic phenotype of broiler chickens undergoing early life stress

“…Acute change in environmental temperature may have negative impacts on the performance of broiler flocks. It has been observed that a severe cold stress (12°C below the homeostatic temperature) throughout the life cycle of broilers negatively impacted production parameters ( Su et al., 2020 ). Besides the negative effects on the performance of the birds, cold stress can also impair immune system development ( Zhang et al., 2011 ; Zhao et al., 2013 ).…”

Effects of Intermittent Mild Cold Stimulation on mRNA Expression of Immunoglobulins, Cytokines, and Toll-Like Receptors in the Small Intestine of Broilers

“…Zhao et al [ 10 ] showed that the expression levels of IgA and IgG had an increased tendency in acute and chronic cold stress. Su et al [ 14 , 18 ] suggested that long-term and sustained cold stimulation increase the gene levels of immunoglobulin in ileum of broilers. Similar to previous studies, our results show a gradual increasing tendency in mRNA levels of IgA and IgG in the small intestine of broilers submitted to intermittent mild cold stimulation.…”

“…In particular, secretory IgA produced in the lamina propria is a vital protective molecule for the intestinal epithelium [ 13 ]. Moreover, proper cold stimulation has been shown to increase the expression of intestinal IgA and IgG to resist adverse effects [ 14 ].…”

“…In previous studies, we have found that long-term sustained cold stimulation of 3 °C below the usual temperature improved immune function, enhanced adaptability to the environment, and conferred protection against injury of late acute cold stress in broilers [ 14 , 23 ]. However, little is known of the effect of a more energy-efficient strategy, i.e., the intermittent mild cold stimulation, on improving immunity in broilers.…”

Histostructure of the Tracheal Wall of Broiler Chickens Depending on Air Circulation Conditions in Closed Poultry Houses

“…В литературе описано угнетающее действие радиоактивного излучения на все элементы стенки трахеи (7) и отрицательное влияние углекислого газа, приводящее к отекам слизистой (2). В ряде работ отмечено влияние низких температур на анатомо-гистологическое строение трахеи (4,18,19).…”