Innovative Approach of Non-Thermal Plasma Application for Improving the Growth Rate in Chickens.

Jiao Zhang,Nisansala Chandimali,Dong Jeong,Wang Lee,Meeta Gera,Tae Kang,Xian Wang,Sung Lee,Sang Lee,Do Huynh,Taeho Kwon,Nameun Kim,Seong Kim,Young Mok,Mrinmoy Ghosh

doi:10.3390/ijms19082301

Abstract

As an innovative technology in biological applications—non-thermal plasma technique—has recently been applied to living cells and tissues. However, it is unclear whether non-thermal plasma treatment can directly regulate the growth and development of livestock. In this study, we exposed four-day-incubated fertilized eggs to plasma at 11.7 kV for 2 min, which was found to be the optimal condition in respect of highest growth rate in chickens. Interestingly, plasma-treated male chickens conspicuously grew faster than females. Plasma treatment regulated the reactive oxygen species homeostasis by controlling the mitochondrial respiratory complex activity and up-regulating the antioxidant defense system. At the same time, growth metabolism was improved due to the increase of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 and their receptors expression, and the rise of thyroid hormones and adenosine triphosphate levels through the regulation of demethylation levels of growth and hormone biosynthesis-related genes in the skeletal muscles and thyroid glands. To our knowledge, this study was the first to evaluate the effects of a non-thermal plasma treatment on the growth rate of chickens. This safe strategy might be beneficial to the livestock industry.

Highlights

Non-thermal plasma systems have the potential for a wide-range of biological applications in living cells and tissues [1] because of no substantial gas heating
Chickens in the group exposed to 22.0 kV for 1 min showed the highest average daily gain (ADG) and longest average tibia length among all plasma-treated groups in the first month (Table 1)
The ADG and tibia length of chickens exposed to 11.7 kV for 2 min exhibited the maximum values among all plasma-treated groups at the age of 90 days, with increases of 0.15- and 0.11-fold (p < 0.001) in females and 0.23- and 0.12-fold (p < 0.001) in males, respectively, when compared with the females and males of the control group (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Non-thermal plasma systems have the potential for a wide-range of biological applications in living cells and tissues [1] because of no substantial gas heating. A previous study suggested that an appropriate non-thermal DBD plasma treatment improved the seed germination and sprout growth in soybeans [5]. It is unclear whether non-thermal plasma treatment can directly regulate the growth and development of livestock. In vitro experiments using fibroblasts [7], endothelial cells [8], epithelial cells [1], and myoblast cells [9] demonstrate a plasma dose-dependent effect. These previous studies suggested that plasma intensity and exposure time could result in differentiation of growth-promoting effects in chickens

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Conclusion