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Title: Expression of interleukins, neuropeptides, and growth hormone receptor (GHR) and leptin receptor (LPR) genes in adipose tissue from growing broiler chickens

Author
item Hausman, Gary
item Barb, Claude
item FAIRCHILD, BRIAN - University Of Georgia
item Hinton Jr, Arthur
item Cason Jr, John

Submitted to: American Society of Animal Science Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/3/2010
Publication Date: 6/24/2010
Citation: Hausman, G.J., Barb, C.R., Fairchild, B.D., Hinton Jr, A., Cason Jr, J.A. 2010. Expression of interleukins, neuropeptides, and growth hormone receptor (GHR) and leptin receptor (LPR) genes in adipose tissue from growing broiler chickens [abstract]. American Society of Animal Science Annual Meeting. Journal of Animal Science. V:88E(Suppl.2) p.389.

Interpretive Summary: none

Technical Abstract: In this study, total RNA was collected from abdominal adipose tissue samples obtained from ten broiler chickens at 3, 4, 5, and 6 weeks of age and prepared for real time RT-PCR analysis with custom-designed primers and probes. Studies of the gene expression of cytokines and associated genes in chicken adipose tissue were initiated since the discovery of leptin has shown in many animal species that adipose tissue derived factors can dramatically influence growth and physiology. The influence of age on the expression of adipose tissue IL-15, IL-8, neuropeptide Y and GHR and LPR genes and several other cytokines was examined. Between 3 and 6 weeks of age LPR gene expression decreased (P < 0.05) with age while expression of IL-15 and GHR increased significantly (P < 0.05). Furthermore, IL-8 and visfatin expression increased (P < 0.001) between 4 and 6 weeks of age. Expression of these cytokines was detected for the first time in chicken adipose tissue. Consequently, this is the first demonstration of age related changes in cytokine gene expression in chicken adipose tissue. Gene expression of several cytokines was not detected in chicken adipose tissue including IL-6 and brain derived neurotrophic factor. Future studies are needed to elucidate the role of adipose tissue cytokines in growth and, possibly, disease resistance. Furthermore, these studies provide indirect evidence that adipose tissue response to leptin and growth hormone increase with age.