Embryonic thermal conditioning and post-hatch heat challenge alter hypothalamic expression of genes related to appetite, thermoregulation, and stress modulation in broiler chicks.

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of an acute heat challenge on day 4 post-hatch on the transcriptome of several brain nuclei associated with thermal regulation, stress, and appetite. These included the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus, the pre-optic anterior/hypothalamic area (POAH), and the nucleus of the hippocampal commissure (nCPa), in broilers that were subjected to either control incubation conditions or embryonic heat conditioning (EHC). Nuclei were collected at three timepoints relative to the start of heat challenge (0, 2, and 12 h). Total RNA was isolated, and RNA-sequencing was performed. Transcript abundance was quantified, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and Gene Ontology analyses were performed. In the nCPa, 469

SUBMITTER: Vaughan R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12208832 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature