Maternal betaine suppresses adrenal expression of cholesterol trafficking genes and decreases plasma corticosterone concentration in offspring pullets.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Laying hens supplemented with betaine demonstrate activated adrenal steroidogenesis and deposit higher corticosterone (CORT) in the egg yolk. Here we further investigate the effect of maternal betaine on the plasma CORT concentration and adrenal expression of steroidogenic genes in offspring pullets.

Results

Maternal betaine significantly reduced (P < 0.05) plasma CORT concentration and the adrenal expression of vimentin that is involved in trafficking cholesterol to the mitochondria for utilization in offspring pullets. Concurrently, voltage-dependent anion channel 1 and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, the two mitochondrial proteins involved in cholesterol influx, were both down-regulated at mRNA and protein levels. However, enzymes responsible for

SUBMITTER: Abobaker H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6862747 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature