Immune-Related Gene Expression Responses to Stimulation and LPS Challenge in Two Distinct Chicken Genotypes.

BACKGROUND

stimulation introduces bioactive compounds, such as prebiotics, probiotics, or synbiotics into incubating eggs to enhance gut health and immune system development in chickens. This study aimed to determine the genetic and environmental effects modulating responses to stimulation in commercial broilers and Green-legged Partridge-like (GP) native chickens.

METHODS

Eggs were stimulated on day 12 of incubation with prebiotics (GOS-galactooligosaccharides), probiotics ( subsp. ), or synbiotics (GOS + ), with controls being mock-injected. Hatched chicks were reared in group pens and challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on day 42 post-hatching. Cecal tonsils (CT) and spleens were harvested 2 h post-challenge. RT-qPCR was used to analyze the relative gene expression of cytokine genes: IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, and IL-17.

RESULTS

The results show that genotype influenced the expression of all immune-related genes, with broiler chickens exhibiting stronger innate inflammatory responses than native chickens. LPS induced both mucosal (CT) and systemic (spleen) immune responses in broilers but only systemic (spleen) responses in native chickens.

CONCLUSIONS

stimulation had less of an impact on cytokine gene expression than LPS challenge. Broilers expressed higher inflammatory immune responses than GP native chickens.