Serum and acute phase protein changes in laying hens, infested with poultry red mite

Abstract

The poultry red mite (PRM) is one of the most economically important ectoparasites of laying hens globally. This mite can have significant deleterious effects on its fowl host including distress, anemia, reduced egg production, and reduced egg quality. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of PRM on the serum protein profile in laying hens and its effect on the acute phase proteins (APPs) to assess their potential as biomarkers for mite infestation.Three APPs: alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP), serum amyloid-A (SAA), and ceruloplasmin (CP) were measured in serum samples collected from laying hens at 12 and 17 wk of age, and then for up to 4 mo after a challenge with PRM (starting at 18.5 wk of age). The serum protein profile (SDS-PAGE/nanoflow HPLC electrospray tandem mass spectrometry) and concentration of individual serum proteins (SDS-PAGE-band densitometry) were also compared.Post challenge there was a positive correlation (r = 0.489; P < 0.004) between the levels of SAA and the PRM numbers. The levels of SAA steadily increased after the PRM challenge and were significantly different than the pre-challenge levels at 28, 32, and 36 wk of age (P < 0.01). The PRM numbers also peaked around 31-33 wk of age. The results for AGP and CP in comparison were inconsistent. Proteomics revealed the presence of 2 high molecular weight proteins in the serum between 12 and 17 wk of age. These were identified as Apolipoprotein-B and Vitellogenin-2, and their increase was commensurate with the onset of lay. No other major differences were detected in the protein profiles of blood sera collected pre and post challenge. We conclude that SAA could be used as a useful biomarker to monitor PRM infestation in commercial poultry flocks and that PRM infestation does not disrupt the production of the major proteins in the serum that are associated with egg formation.

Assessment of automated assays for serum amyloid A, haptoglobin (PIT54) and basic biochemistry in broiler breeders experimentally infected with Escherichia coli

“…SAA increased considerably in the infected birds acting as a major APP which is in accordance with previous reports on SAA in poultry applying ELISA kits for measurements [ 6 , 7 ]. In previous studies, quite different levels of SAA in healthy chickens have been reported [ 6 , 7 , 13 ] which might be linked to, e.g., the assay applied, antibody used, different methods of stabilising the blood samples, or it could be linked to factors such as breed or age of the birds. In the current study, SAA levels were mostly undetectable in control animals and seemed to normalise in the infected birds towards the end of the study.…”

The Golden Egg: Nutritional Value, Bioactivities, and Emerging Benefits for Human Health

“…Another major issue for hen welfare and egg quality is the poultry red mite that is found in most rearing systems for laying hens, regardless of the system type [161]. As a blood-feeder, this mite has dramatic effects on fowl host welfare including distress, anemia, reduced egg production, and reduced egg quality [162]. The prevalence of red mites is expected to increase, as a result of recent hen husbandry legislation changes (in favor of non-cage systems), increased acaricide resistance, climate warming, and the absence of efficient and sustainable solutions to control infestations [163].…”

Challenges for the Control of Poultry Red Mite (Dermanyssus gallinae)

“…The age of the flock has a negative effect on the growth of the mite population as mite populations decline as the age of the hens increases despite the fact that the immune response of the hen against a PRM infestation has not been well characterized. An experimental infestation developed an increase of the serum amyloid-A [35], but hens do not generate natural potent immunoprotective responses [36]. The development of an immune response by the bird after a chronic exposure is a plausible explanation which has been proposed that requires further research [34,37].…”