Quail Liver Research Articles

Pathological study of subchronic oral toxicity induced by Di (2- ethyl hexyl) phthalate in Japanese quails

In present study, we aimed to investigate the pathological changes induced by subchronic oral toxicity induced by sub lethal dose of Di (2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in Japanese common quail. Forty male quails at one day old were divided randomly into two equal groups, the first group (treated group) was orally administrated by 10% of LD50 of DEHP (557.41 mg/kg of body weight) for 42 days, while second group (control group) left without treatment throughout experiment period. The results of current study showed that there is congestion of kidney, microscopically they showed presence of hyaline degeneration in renal tubules, glomerulosclerosis, wide spread of degenerative and necrotic lesions in renal tubules, hemorrhage, infiltration of inflammatory cell especially macrophages and lymphocytes in interstitial tissue of kidney. While grossing of liver showed hepatomegaly with hemorrhage, microscopically the sections showed wide distributing of vacuolar degeneration (fatty change) in different size and shape of vacuoles in cytoplasm of affected hepatocytes, infiltration of inflammatory cells mainly macrophages and lymphocytes. In conclusion, the oral administration of DEHP at dose 557.41 mg/kg of body weight for 42 days induced degenerative and necrotic irreversible changes in both kidney and liver of Japanese quail that affect their health and production.

The Protective Effects of an Adsorbent against Oxidative Stress in Quails Fed Aflatoxin-Contaminated Diet

Background: Contamination of crops with aflatoxin is considered a serious global threat to food safety, since potent carcinogenic, teratogenic, mutagenic and immunosuppressive effects of aflatoxins are well recognized. Recently, the use of adsorbents has been linked with protective effects against oxidative stress in several diseases. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of oxidative stress in quails (Coturnix coturnix) fed with aflatoxin-contaminated diet, as well as the protective effect of an adsorbent.Materials, Methods & Results: Twenty-eight quails were divided into four groups (n = 7): diet without additives (control; the group A), diet and adsorbent containing aluminosilicates (the group B), aflatoxin-contaminated diet (200 ppb) (the group C), and aflatoxin-contaminated diet (200 ppb) and adsorbent containing aluminosilicates (the group D). The composition of the adsorbent containing aluminosilicates was 0.3% based on yeast cell wall, silymarin, and bentonite. The animals received feed and water ad libitum during 20 days. At the end of the experimental period, total blood was collected by cardiac puncture in tubes without anticoagulant to obtain serum (centrifuged at 3500 g during 10 min) for later determination of biochemical parameters. The liver was placed in a solution of Tris–HCl 10 mM, pH 7.4 for TBARS (Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), ROS (Reactive oxygen species), SOD (Superoxide dismutase) and CAT (Catalase) analysis. The hepatic tissue was gently homogenized in a glass potter in specific buffer, homogenated, and centrifuged at 10.000 g at 4ºC for 10 min to yield a supernatant (S1) used for analyses. Homogenate aliquots were stored at -80°C until utilization. Fragments of liver and intestine (5 cm) were collected for histopathological analyses. Between days 15 to 20 of the experiment, group C quails showed clinical signs, such as apathy, creepy feathers and reduced feed intake. At day 20 of experiment, macroscopically, the liver of quails belonging to the group C showed greenish yellow color differently from the other groups. Microscopically, no alterations were observed in the liver of animals in groups A and B. Severe diffuse microvacuolar degeneration (hydropic) of hepatocytes and small foci of necrosis in the liver were observed in the group C, as observed in the group D, but in a more moderate degree to microvacuolar degeneration. Seric total protein, albumin, globulin and uric acid levels decreased in the group C and D. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased in the group C, and the treatment with adsorbent was able to avoid this increment. Seric and hepatic reactive oxygen species and TBARS increased in the group C, and the treatment with adsorbent reduced theses parameters in the group D. Catalase (CAT) activity decreased, while ALA-D increased in the group C. The treatment with adsorbent was able to prevent CAT activity decrease, but it did not prevent the increase in ALA-D activity.Discussion: Aflatoxins are considered one of the most important problems in poultry production causing high economic losses to producers. In this study, the use of adsorbent showed a protective effect to hepatic tissue, minimizing histopathological lesions, as well as by preventing lipid peroxidation and exacerbated production of free radicals. Based on this data, aflatoxin intoxication causes hepatic oxidative stress that contributes directly to disease pathogenesis, and the addition of an adsorbent containing 0.3% based on bentonite, yeast cell wall and silymarin may be considered a new approach to prevent cellular and hepatic damage caused by aflatoxins.

The role of cinnamon as a modulator of the expression of genes related to antioxidant activity and lipid metabolism of laying quails.

Since cinnamon has vitamins and minerals in addition to antioxidants compounds in its chemical composition studies have shown the potential of cinnamon supplementation on some important characteristics in the performance of birds. Thus, this study was conducted under the hypothesis that the inclusion of cinnamon in the laying quail diet could influence the performance of the birds through the expression of genes related to antioxidant activity and lipid metabolism. To test this hypothesis, 144 Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) with an initial age of 18 weeks and average weight of 133g were distributed in a completely randomized design with two treatments: no cinnamon supplementation (NCS—control group) and with supplementation of 9g/kg of cinnamon powder (CPS). The experiment lasted for 84 days. At the end of the experimental period, six animals from each treatment were euthanized by cervical dislocation, blood was collected and organs weighed. Liver tissue was collected for gene expression and biochemical analyses. We observed a significant effect of cinnamon inclusion on the weight of the pancreas (P = 0.0418), intestine (P = 0.0209) and ovary (P = 0.0389). Lower weights of the pancreas and intestine, and a higher ovary weight was observed in birds receiving the CPS diet. Quails fed with cinnamon supplementation also had better feed conversion per egg mass (2.426 g /g, P = 0.0126), and higher triglyceride (1516.60 mg/dL, P = 0.0207), uric acid (7.40 mg/dL, P = 0.0003) and VLDL (300.40 mg/dL, P = 0.0252) contents. A decreased content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lower catalase activity was observed in the liver of quails from the CPS diet (0.086 nmoles/mg PTN, and 2.304 H2O2/min/mg PTN, respectively). Quails from the CPS group presented significantly greater expression of FAS (fatty acid synthase, 36,03 AU), ACC (Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase, 31.33 AU), APOAI (apolipoprotein A-I, 803,9 AU), ESR2 (estrogen receptor 2, 0.73 AU) SOD (superoxide dismutase, 4,933.9 AU) and GPx7 (glutathione peroxidase 7, 9.756 AU) than quails from the control group. These results allow us to suggest that cinnamon powder supplementation in the diet of laying quails can promote balance in the metabolism and better performance through the modulation of antioxidant activity and the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism.

Hepatic microsomal metabolism of BDE-47 and BDE-99 by lesser snow geese and Japanese quail

In the present study, we investigated the oxidative biotransformation of 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) and 2,2′,4,4′,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-99) by liver microsomes from wild lesser snow geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) and domesticated Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Formation of hydroxy-metabolites was analyzed using an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based method. Incubation of BDE-47 with avian liver microsomes produced sixteen hydroxy-metabolites, eight of which were identified using authentic standards. The major metabolites formed by liver microsomes from individual lesser snow geese were 4-hydroxy-2,2′,3,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (4-OH-BDE-42), 3-hydroxy-2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (3-OH-BDE-47), and 4′-hydroxy-2,2′,4,5′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (4′-OH-BDE-49). By comparison, 4-OH-BDE-42 and 4′-OH-BDE-49, but not 3-OH-BDE-47, were major metabolites of Japanese quail liver microsomes. Unidentified metabolites included monohydroxy- and dihydroxy-tetrabromodiphenyl ethers. Incubation of BDE-99 with avian liver microsomes produced seventeen hydroxy-metabolites, twelve of which were identified using authentic standards. The major metabolites formed by lesser snow goose liver microsomes were 2,4,5-tribromophenol, 3-OH-BDE-47, 4′-OH-BDE-49, 4-hydroxy-2,2′,3,4′,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (4-OH-BDE-90), and 5′-hydroxy-2,2′,4,4′,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (5′-OH-BDE-99). By comparison, the major metabolites produced by liver microsomes from Japanese quail included 6-hydroxy-2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (6-OH-BDE-47) and 2-hydroxy-2′,3,4,4′,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (2-OH-BDE-123), but not 3-OH-BDE-47. Unidentified metabolites consisted of monohydroxy-pentabromodiphenyl ethers, monohydroxy-tetrabromodiphenyl ethers and dihydroxy-tetrabromodiphenyl ethers. Another difference between the two species was that formation rates of BDE-47 and BDE-99 metabolites were greater with liver microsomes from male than female Japanese quail, but a sex difference was not observed with lesser snow geese.

Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) liver and thyroid gland histopathology as a result of in ovo exposure to the flame retardants tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate and Dechlorane Plus

ABSTRACTJapanese quails (Coturnix japonica) were exposed in ovo to tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP; 500 ng/µl), Dechlorane Plus (DP; 500 ng/µl), or a 1:1 mixture of these two to investigate the effects on liver and thyroid gland morphology. Histological examination of 14-day-old quails showed that exposure to TDCIPP or the mixture induced hepatic sinusoidal dilatation. No marked effects were seen for DP alone. In addition, the mixture produced divergence of thyroid gland follicles and proliferation of follicular cells. Our study is the first demonstrating histopathological alterations as a result of exposure during early development to the flame retardants TDCIPP or a TDCIPP–DP mixture suggesting the need for further research efforts to investigate potential adverse health effects associated with exposure to these environmental chemicals in wild birds.

Effects of low-protein diets on growth performance and carcass yields of growing French meat quails (France coturnix coturnix)

A dose-response experiment with 5 analyzed dietary crude protein (CP) levels (17.61, 19.73, 21.58, 23.24, and 25.32%) was conducted to investigate the effects of low-protein diets on growth performance and carcass yields of French meat quails from 15 to 42 d of age. All diets were formulated to contain a similar dietary energy level and amino acid profile. A total of 400 fifteen-day-old French quails were divided into 5 experimental treatments and each treatment contained 4 replicate pens of 20 birds (10♂+10♀). At 42 d of age, weight gain, feed intake, CP intake, feed/gain, and the yields of breast part with bone, leg part with bone, and liver of quails from each pen were measured. The results showed significant effects of the low-CP diets on CP intake, weight gain, feed intake, and feed/gain at different experiment periods except for the sixth wk of age (P < 0.05). In addition, as dietary CP decreased from 25.32 to 17.61%, feed intake and feed/gain were increased linearly (P < 0.05), whereas CP intake showed the opposite trend and decreased gradually. On the other hand, the carcass yields of quail were not influenced by reducing dietary CP at 42 day of age (P > 0.05). Based on broken-line regression, 23.0%, 22.5%, and 20.4% were the minimum dietary CP to keep weight gain similar to the quails fed with 25.32% CP diets during the third, fourth, and fifth wk of age, respectively. In summary, with crystalline amino acid supplementation based on a similar amino acid profile, it was possible to formulate the low-protein diets containing about 22.0% CP for growing meat quails without adverse effects on growth and carcass yields of meat quails.

Effects of pentachlorophenol on the quail (Coturnix japonica) liver detoxification pathway

Pentachlorophenol (PCP), an extensively used pesticide and biocide, is of critical environmental concern due to its toxicity and recalcitrance to degradation. In this study, the effect of PCP on induction of transcription factors, cytochrome P450 (CYP450) genes, and the antioxidative enzyme system were investigated in the quail liver. A total of 60 (4- to 6-week-old) male quails (Coturnix japonica) were administered 0, 0.05, 0.5, and 5 mg/kg/d PCP orally for 42 d. Following exposure, both absolute and relative liver weights were significantly lower than those of the control. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, PCP accumulation was, from highest to lowest, kidney > liver > muscle for all exposure groups. The expressions of CYP1A5, CYP1B1, CYP2C18, nuclear translocator 1 (ARNT1), and aryl hydrocarbon receptor 1 (AHR1) were induced after PCP treatment, and increases were found in the activities of hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and the content of hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA). In addition, exposure to PCP induced an increase in liver 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and significantly elevated ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), methoxyresorufin O-demethylase (MROD), and 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase (ECOD) activity, but decreased that of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylase (BROD), pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD), and erythromycin N-demethylase (END). No significant responses were observed for benzyloxy-trifluoromethyl-coumarin (BFC). The protein level of liver nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) was higher, whereas that of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was lower for exposed quail. These results suggest that PCP affects quail oxidative stress by modulating CYP450 enzymes and nuclear transcription factors.

Atrazine triggers hepatic oxidative stress and apoptosis in quails (Coturnix C. coturnix) via blocking Nrf2-mediated defense response

The bioaccumulation and environmental persistence of atrazine (ATZ) poses a severe hazard to animal ecosystem. Quail has strong sensitivity to environmental pollutant, thus it is one of the most important ecological pollution indicator. However, true proof for the effects of ATZ exposure on the liver of quails is lacking. To evaluate the liver injury and the role of Nrf2-mediated defense responses during ATZ exposure, male quails were treated with ATZ (0, 50, 250 and 500mg/kg) by oral gavage for 45 days. Histopathological and ultrastructural changes, oxidative stress indices, apoptosis-related factors and Nrf2 pathway were detected. ATZ caused irreparable mitochondrial damage and destroyed morphophysiological integrity of the quail liver. Lower level ATZ (<250mg/kg) activated Nrf2 signaling pathway to protect liver against oxidative stress and apoptosis via enhancing antioxidative activity. Higher level ATZ (>500mg/kg) induced oxidative stress and apoptosis through decrease of non-enzymatic antioxidant, antioxidant enzymes and anti-apoptosis factors and increase of apoptosis factors expressions. Taken together, our results suggested that ATZ-induced hepatotoxicity in quails was associated with blocking Nrf2-mediated defense response.

A novel mechanism underlies atrazine toxicity in quails (Coturnix Coturnix coturnix): triggering ionic disorder via disruption of ATPases.

The widely used atrazine has been reported to exhibit extensive ecological hazards. Due to the biological accumulation, atrazine elicits widespread toxic effects on different organisms. However, true proof for the mechanism of atrazine-induced toxicity is lacking. To determine the potential mechanism by which atrazine exerted toxic effects, quails were treated with atrazine (0, 50, 250 and 500 mg/kg) by gavage administration for 45 days. Atrazine significantly increased the histological alterations and serum creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and choline esterase levels. A marked disorder in ionic (Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+)contents and the decrease of ATPases (Na+-K+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase, Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase) activities were observed in the heart and liver of atrazine-exposed quails. Of note, it was also observed that atrazine suppressed the transcription of Na+, K+ transfer associated genes (Na+-K+-ATPase subunits) and Ca2+ transfer associated genes (Ca2+-ATPase subunits, solute carriers) in heart and liver. In conclusion, atrazine induced cardiac and hepatic damage via causing the ionic disorder, triggering the transcription of the ion transporters and leading the histopathological and functional alternations in the heart and liver of quails. This study demonstrated atrazine significantly induced the ionic disorder via decreasing the ATPases activities and disturbing the transcription of the ion transporters.

A multi-residue method for 17 anticoccidial drugs and ractopamine in animal tissues by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

A new and sensitive multi-residue liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (LC-QToF-MS) method was developed and validated for the determination and confirmation of residues of 17 anticoccidials, plus free ractopamine in poultry muscle and liver, and bovine muscle, liver, and kidney tissues. The 17 anticoccidials are lasalocid, halofuginone, narasin, monensin, semduramicin, ethopabate, robenidine, buquinolate, toltrazuril as its sulfone metabolite, maduramicin, salinomycin, diclazuril, amprolium, decoquinate, dinitolmide, clopidol, and the nicarbazin metabolite DNC (N,N1-bis(4-nitrophenyl)urea). The analytes were extracted and cleaned up within a 3-hour period by simply extracting the analytes into a solvent mixture with salts followed by centrifugation, dilution, and filtration. The validated method was used in a pilot study for the analysis of 173 samples that included quail liver, bovine kidney, liver, muscle, and horse muscle. The predominant residues found in this study were monensin, ractopamine, and lasalocid. The results of this pilot study showed that this new method is applicable to real samples, and is fit for use in a regulatory testing programme. © 2016 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada. Drug Testing and Analysis. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A survey of neonicotinoid use and potential exposure to northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) in the Rolling Plains of Texas and Oklahoma.

Northern bobwhite (quail) (Colinus virginianus) and scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) populations have declined dramatically in the Rolling Plains ecoregion of Texas and Oklahoma (USA). There is rising concern about potential toxicity of neonicotinoids to birds. To investigate this concern, the authors examined crops of 81 northern bobwhite and 17 scaled quail to determine the presence or absence of seeds treated with 3 neonicotinoids (clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam). No treated seeds were found in the 98 crops examined. Liver samples from all 98 quail were collected and analyzed for neonicotinoid residues. Analysis revealed very low concentrations of neonicotinoids within the quail liver samples. The results suggest there is little to no risk of direct toxicity to quail from neonicotinoids. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1511-1515. © 2015 SETAC.

Bioaccumulation of Lead in the Tissues of Japanese Quails and Its Effects on Blood Biochemical Factors

Background: Lead is the oldest known toxic metal, physiologically and biologically harmful to living creatures. This study aimed to evaluate the lead accumulation in the liver and breast muscles of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) and to compare concentrations in both sexes and its effect on blood biochemical factors. Methods: Twenty-four young farm Japanese quails (25 day old) prepared from local breeders in December 2014 and randomly divided into control and treatment group. Treatment group were exposed to 0.4 mg per kg diet of “Lead Acetate” for 21 days. We studied the effects of lead on survival and blood biochemical factors. The lead accumulation in the liver and breast muscles of Japanese quail was determined using atomic absorption. Results: Exposure to lead caused a significant increase in the activity of enzymes (AST), (ALT), (LDH), glucose, creatinine and uric acid in poultry treated with lead compared with the control group (P&lt;0.05). In addition, significant decrease in the activity of ALP, AChE, total protein, albumin, globulin, and triglycerides was found (P&lt;0.05). The treated group had no significant change in the activity of CPK and cholesterol. Lead accumulation was more in the liver rather than the breast muscle. There was no significant difference between males and females as for concentration of lead in muscle and liver of quail. Conclusion: Quail have capabilities to accumulate lead in their tissues. In addition, it can lead to apparent changes in enzymes and blood biochemical factors, which show adverse effects of heavy metals on the immune and physiological system of birds.

Influence of flaxseed combined with thyme, rosemary, and sage leaves asfodder additives on antioxidant status in the liver of Japanese quail

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a combination of plant supplements with antioxidant properties on the total antioxidant status measured by FRAP and the activity of selected antioxidant enzymes in the livers of Japanese quails. The birds were given feed with the 4% addition of flaxseed combined with a 1% admixture of dried thyme, rosemary, or sage leaves, respectively. The results showed an increased value of the antioxidant potential in the livers of quails fed with a diet that contained the combination of flaxseed and thyme, compared to the control diet and the diet that included flaxseed and rosemary. In all groups given dietary herbal supplements, males and females did not differ in liver antioxidant capacity, whereas in the control group decreased values of these indices for males were found. In the groups fed with the addition of flaxseed and herbs, the activity of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase was significantly lower than in the control group. There were no differences in the activity of catalase and glutathione S-transferase between the analyzed groups. The use of flaxseed with the addition of thyme, rosemary, and sage leaves had a significant effect on liver antioxidant status in the studied quails.

Effect of silver nanoparticles in the liver of female quail (Coturnix coturnix )

This study aimed to identify the alterations of liver in the quail (Coturnix coturnix) exposed by nanosilver particles.45 quail (females) were collected from agriculture research center in Abu-Ghraib, divided into (6) groups including: T1(12 quails were exposed to 4ppm), T2 (12 quails were exposed to 8ppm) and T3 (12 quails were exposed to 12ppm) of silver nanoparticles solution for 60 days. As well as three groups for control (3 females for each). Birds were dissected to isolate livers for histological preperations after fixation with Bouin's fluid, Routine stains Hematoxyline and eosin were used. Histological study showed that the structure of liver in a control groups consist of hepatocytes arranged radially cords around the central vein, Polygonal in shape with central nucleus. Sinusoid found between hepatocytes cords. The histological alterations in liver tissue included congestion of central vein, Fibrinous exudates , Infilteation of inflammatory cells, Thickness of capsule , Loss radial arrangement of hepatocytes , Incidence of fatty degeneration, Hydropic and Hyaline degeneration of hepatocytes , Appearing of councilman bodies, Pyknotic necrosis and few dilated of sinusoids in liver of group exposed to 4ppm. While the alterations in the liver with group 8ppm included occurance of precipitation of proteins near the vessels which known Amylloid , central vein dilation, An increase thickness of wall blood vessels, In addition an incidence of hemorrhage and hyaline degeneration of liver cells. Liver in group 12ppm suffer from incidence of fatty changes, Hydropic degeneration, Necrosis, Increase numbers of Concilman bodies, An incidence of giant cells, Atrophy of liver cells, Appearance of caceous necrosis and increase dilation of sinusoids and congestion.

Effect of silver nanoparticles in the liver of female quail (Coturnix coturnix )

This study aimed to identify the alterations of liver in the quail (Coturnix coturnix) exposed by nanosilver particles.45 quail (females) were collected from agriculture research center in Abu-Ghraib, divided into (6) groups including: T1(12 quails were exposed to 4ppm), T2 (12 quails were exposed to 8ppm) and T3 (12 quails were exposed to 12ppm) of silver nanoparticles solution for 60 days. As well as three groups for control (3 females for each). Birds were dissected to isolate livers for histological preperations after fixation with Bouin's fluid, Routine stains Hematoxyline and eosin were used. Histological study showed that the structure of liver in a control groups consist of hepatocytes arranged radially cords around the central vein, Polygonal in shape with central nucleus. Sinusoid found between hepatocytes cords. The histological alterations in liver tissue included congestion of central vein, Fibrinous exudates , Infilteation of inflammatory cells, Thickness of capsule , Loss radial arrangement of hepatocytes , Incidence of fatty degeneration, Hydropic and Hyaline degeneration of hepatocytes , Appearing of councilman bodies, Pyknotic necrosis and few dilated of sinusoids in liver of group exposed to 4ppm. While the alterations in the liver with group 8ppm included occurance of precipitation of proteins near the vessels which known Amylloid , central vein dilation, An increase thickness of wall blood vessels, In addition an incidence of hemorrhage and hyaline degeneration of liver cells. Liver in group 12ppm suffer from incidence of fatty changes, Hydropic degeneration, Necrosis, Increase numbers of Concilman bodies, An incidence of giant cells, Atrophy of liver cells, Appearance of caceous necrosis and increase dilation of sinusoids and congestion.

Heat and oxidative stress alter the expression of orexin and its related receptors in avian liver cells

Orexins (A and B) or hypocretins (1 and 2) are hypothalamic orexigenic neuropeptides that are involved in the regulation of several physiological processes in mammals. Recently, orexin has been shown to activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) stress axis and emerging evidences identify it as a stress modulator in mammals. However, the regulation of orexin system by stress itself remains unclear. Here, we investigate the effects of heat, 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) stress on the hepatic expression of orexin (ORX) and its related receptors (ORXR1/2) in avian species. Using in vivo and in vitro models, we found that heat stress significantly down-regulated ORX and ORXR1/2 mRNA and protein abundances in quail liver and LMH cells. H2O2, however, decreased ORX protein and increased ORX mRNA levels in a dose dependent manner (P<0.05). The absence of correlation between orexin mRNA and protein levels suggests that H2O2 treatment modulates post-transcriptional mechanisms. 4-HNE had a biphasic effect on orexin system expression, with a significant up-regulation at low doses (10 and 20μM) and a significant down-regulation at a high dose (30μM). Taken together, our data indicated that hepatic orexin system could be a molecular signature in the heat and oxidative stress response.

Thermal stress induces changes in gene expression and blood parameters in high and low feed efficiency meat quail.

In this study, we analysed markers of stress, plasma creatinine and T3 content, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), growth hormone receptor (GHR), uncoupling protein (UCP), adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit III (COX III) mRNA expression in the liver and muscle of high (0.22 g/g) and low (0.14 g/g) feed efficiency (FE) meat quail at three different air temperatures, comfortable, heat and cold stress, for 24 h. High FE quail presented higher plasma T3 and lower creatinine levels. IGF-I mRNA expression was higher in the livers of high FE quail than in the livers of low FE quail under both comfortable and cold stress conditions. In the muscle, regardless of the environment, high FE birds showed higher IGF-I mRNA expression. High FE birds also showed higher GHR mRNA expression under comfortable conditions. Regarding the environment, higher expression was observed in birds at comfortable conditions, and lower expression in birds under heat stress. UCP mRNA expression in the liver was lower in high FE birds and higher under heat stress compared with the other conditions. Low and high FE birds showed greater ANT mRNA expression in the muscle under cold stress. Greater mRNA COX III expressions were observed in the liver and muscle of quails under comfortable conditions. Our results suggest that temperature affects the expression of genes related to growth and mitochondrial energy production, and quail with different FEs respond differently to environmental stimuli. In comfortable conditions, high FE animals show higher IGF-I mRNA expression and plasma T3 and lower creatinine content.

The effect of heat stress on GHR, IGF-I, ANT, UCP and COXIII mRNA expression in the liver and muscle of high and low feed efficiency female quail

1. A study was conducted to test the hypothesis that feed efficiency (FE) correlated with the expression of genes from the somatotropic axis and mitochondrial genes involved in energy production, and that the environment to which the birds are exposed influenced the expression of such genes.2. Quails were divided into High-FE and low-FE groups and maintained in a comfortable or heat stress (HS) (38°C for 24 h) environment to evaluate changes in insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), growth hormone receptor (GHR), adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT), uncoupling protein (UCP) and cytochrome oxidase subunit III (COX III) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in liver and muscle tissues.3. High-FE quails (0.28 g/g) presented a higher final body weight, greater weight gain and a better feed conversion ratio than low-FE birds (0.18 g/g). High-FE birds showed greater IGF-I mRNA expression in the liver and muscle and greater GHR mRNA expression in the muscle.4. Environmental effects only affected GHR expression in the liver, with quails under comfortable conditions exhibiting greater GHR expression than quails subjected to HS.5. There was a significant interaction between FE and environmental temperature on ANT mRNA expression in the liver. The greatest ANT mRNA expression was observed for high FE-birds that remained under comfortable conditions.6. In the liver, UCP mRNA expression did not differ among the quails and was not affected by environment or efficiency. However, comparisons of the low- and high-FE birds revealed higher levels of UCP mRNA in the muscle of low-FE birds.7. COX III mRNA expression in the liver was dependent on environmental temperature and FE. Higher COX III mRNA expression was observed in animals that remained under comfortable conditions, and high-FE birds exhibited higher expression levels compared to low-FE birds.8. These results suggest a correlation between IGF-I, GHR, ANT, UCP and COX III gene expression and FE and that environmental temperature could affect the expression of some of these genes.

Effects of different doses of rosemary oil (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) on oxidative stress and apoptosis of liver of heat stressed quails

Summary This study was conducted to determine the effects of chronic heat stress (HS) on oxidative stress parameters, histo-pathological lesions of liver associated with the oxidative stress and protective effect of rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis L.) oil supplementation at the doses of 125 and 250Â mg/kg. A total of 180 fifteen-days-old Japanese quails were randomly allocated into 6 groups consisting of 10 birds of 3 replicates each. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of all tissues and serum increased in the HS group in contrast to the control (TN) (PÂ <Â 0.05). Dose of 125Â mg/kg rosemary oil reduced MDA levels of tissues and serum in the HS group (PÂ <Â 0.05), but not in TN condition (PÂ >Â 0.05). Dose of 250Â mg/kg rosemary oil decreased MDA level of serum (PÂ <Â 0.05). Rosemary oil enhanced SOD production of serum in both HS and TN groups (PÂ <Â 0.05). GSH-Px activities of serum and liver were significantly higher in TN group than in HS group (PÂ <Â 0.05). The dose of 125Â mg/kg rosemary oil significantly enhanced the GSH-Px activities in heart, liver and kidney in different environmental conditions (PÂ <Â 0.05). The rosemary oil supplementation also increased the GSH production of liver, serum and heart tissues (PÂ <Â 0.05). Heat stress induced Kupffer cell activation, fatty degeneration, accumulation of bile pigment, extra-medullar hematopoesis and hepatocyte apoptotic index of liver (PÂ <Â 0.05). The dose of 125Â mg/kg rosemary oil resulted in a significant recuperation of these parameters in the HS group (PÂ <Â 0.05), but dose of 250Â mg/kg rosemary oil aggravated these phenomena in both environmental conditions (PÂ <Â 0.05). In conclusion, the results of this study clearly suggested that 125Â mg/kg rosemary oil supplementation diminished HS induced oxidative stress by its potent antioxidant activity. Dose of 250Â mg/kg rosemary oil showed hepatotoxic effect and increased apoptotic cell index of liver.

Acute heat stress and dietary methionine effects on IGF-I, GHR, and UCP mRNA expression in liver and muscle of quails

This study evaluated the expression of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), growth hormone receptor (GHR), and uncoupling protein (UCP) mRNA in muscle and liver of quails that were in thermal comfort or exposed to heat stress and that were fed diets with or without methionine supplementation. Meat quails were fed a diet that either met the nutritional demands for methionine (MS) or did not meet this demand (methionine-deficient diet, MD). The animals were either kept at a thermal comfort temperature (25°C) or exposed to heat stress (38°C for 24 h starting on the 6th day). RNA was extracted from liver and breast muscle, and cDNA was synthesized and amplified using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Animals that were fed the MS diet and remained at the thermal comfort temperature exhibited increased IGF-I mRNA expression in the liver (0.56 AU). The GHR mRNA expression in the liver and muscle was influenced by both the study variables. Animals receiving the MS diet showed higher GHR expression, while increased expression was observed in animals at the thermal comfort temperature. The UCP mRNA expression in the muscle was influenced by both methionine supplementation and heat stress. Higher expression was observed in animals that received the MD diet (2.29 vs 3.77 AU) and in animals kept in thermal comfort. Our results suggest that heat stress negatively affects the expression of growth-related genes and that methionine supplementation is necessary to appropriately maintain the levels of IGF-I, GHR, and UCP transcripts for animal metabolism.