One-step purification of chicken growth hormone from a crude pituitary extract by use of a monoclonal immunoadsorbent

Growth performance, liver and kidney functions, blood hormonal profile, and economic efficiency of broilers fed different levels of threonine supplementation during feed restriction

The objective of the existing investigation was to determine the effect of dietary inclusion of threonine amino acid at different levels during feed restriction on growth indices, liver and kidney function parameters, and some hormonal profiles along with economic indicators in broiler chickens. A total of 1,600 from 2 different breeds (800 Ross 308 and 800 Indian River) at 21-day-old age were incorporated. Chicks were randomly assigned into 2 main groups, control and feed-restricted (8 h/d), during the fourth week of age. Each main group was subdivided into 4 groups. The first group was fed a basal diet without adding extra threonine (100%), the second, third, and fourth groups were fed a basal diet with extra threonine levels of 110, 120, and 130%, respectively. Each subgroup consisted of 10 replicates of 10 birds. We noticed that the dietary inclusion of threonine at extra levels in the basal diets significantly enhanced final body weight, body weight gain, and better feed conversion ratio. This was mainly due to the enhanced levels of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF1), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4). Moreover, the lowest feed cost per kilogram body weight gain and improved return parameters were reported in control and feed-restricted birds fed higher levels of threonine than other groups. Also, a significant increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and urea levels was observed in feed-restricted birds supplemented with 120 and 130% levels of threonine. Hence, we recommend supplementing threonine at levels of 120 and 130% in the diet of broilers to promote growth and profitability.

Effects of chronic thermal stress on growth performance, carcass traits, antioxidant indices and the expression of HSP70, growth hormone and superoxide dismutase genes in two broiler strains

The objective was to investigate the effects of genetic type and the duration of chronic thermal stress (36 °C) on the growing efficiency, carcass traits, antioxidant status, and the expression of liver heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), growth hormone (GH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) genes. Two hundred and seventy one-day-old chicks (135 male chicks of each breed; Ross 308 and Cobb 500) were used in this work. On the 21st day of age, birds were allocated randomly into 3 equal groups till the 42 days of age (CON:raised in a thermoneutral condition; HS₁ and HS₂ groups were subjected to 4 and 6 h of daily thermal stress, respectively). Regardless of genetic type, thermal stress decreased the dressing percentage in broilers when compared with the thermoneutral conditions (p = 0.039). In both broiler strains, thermal stress for 6 h (HS₂) increased the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.036) and the serum albumin, cholesterol and triglyceride levels (p = 0.023, 0.012 and 0.005, respectively) compared with the thermoneutral group. Under the thermonuteral and heat stress conditions, the Ross broiler chickens showed a significant lower serum triiodothyronine level compared with the Cobb boilers (p = 0.042). It is interesting to note that the expression of HSP70 in the liver of heat-stressed Ross broilers, either 4 or 6 h, was significantly (p = 0.002) higher than that reported in the heat-stressed Cobb broilers. In both broiler strains, the thermal stress for 6 h up-regulate the expression of SOD gene (p = 0.001), but down-regulate the expression of GH gene (p = 0.021) when compared with the CON group. In conclusion, chronic thermal stress down-regulate the mRNA expression of liver GH, concomitantly with an increase in the expression of HSP70 and SOD genes in both broiler strains. This could be useful in the identification of molecular genetic markers to assist in selecting broilers that are more tolerant to heat stress.

Characterization of pituitary growth hormone and its receptor in the green iguana (Iguana iguana)

Pituitary growth hormone (GH) has been studied in most vertebrate groups; however, only a few studies have been carried out in reptiles. Little is known about pituitary hormones in the order Squamata, to which the green iguana (gi) belongs. In this work, we characterized the hypophysis of Iguana iguana morphologically. The somatotrophs (round cells of 7.6-10 μm containing 250- to 300-nm secretory granules where the giGH is stored) were found, by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, exclusively in the caudal lobe of the pars distalis, whereas the lactotrophs were distributed only in the rostral lobe. A pituitary giGH-like protein was obtained by immuno-affinity chromatography employing a heterologous antibody against chicken GH. giGH showed molecular heterogeneity (22, 44, and 88 kDa by SDS-PAGE/Western blot under non-reducing conditions and at least four charge variants (pIs 6.2, 6.5, 6.9, 7.4) by isoelectric focusing. The pituitary giGH cDNA (1016 bp), amplified by PCR and RACE, encodes a pre-hormone of 218 aa, of which 190 aa correspond to the mature protein and 28 aa to the signal peptide. The giGH receptor cDNA was also partially sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses of the amino acid sequences of giGH and giGHR homologs in vertebrates suggest a parallel evolution and functional relationship between the GH and its receptor.

Cellular and intracellular distribution of growth hormone in the adult chicken testis

Endocrine actions of growth hormone (GH) have been implicated during the development of adult testicular function in several mammalian species, and recently intracrine, autocrine, and paracrine effects have been proposed for locally expressed GH. Previous reports have shown the distribution of GH mRNA and the molecular heterogeneity of GH protein in both adult chicken testes and vas deferens. This study provides evidence of the presence and distribution of GH and its receptor (GHR) during all stages of spermatogenesis in adult chicken testes. This hormone and its receptor are not restricted to the cytoplasm; they are also found in the nuclei of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids. The pattern of GH isoforms was characterized in the different, isolated germ cell subpopulations, and the major molecular variant in all subpopulations was 17 kDa GH, as reported in other chicken extra-pituitary tissues. Another molecular variant, the 29 kDa moiety, was found mainly in the enriched spermatocyte population, suggesting that it acts at specific developmental stages. The co-localization of GH with the proliferative cell nuclear antigen PCNA (a DNA replication marker present in spermatogonial cells) was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. These results show for the first time that GH and GHR are present in the nuclei of adult chicken germinal cells, and suggest that GH could participate in proliferation and differentiation during the complex process of spermatogenesis.

Growth hormone expression in stromal and non-stromal cells in the bursa of Fabricius during bursal development and involution: Causal relationships?

Growth hormone (GH) is expressed in the chicken bursa of Fabricius (BF), an organ that undergoes three distinct developmental stages: rapid growth (late embryogenesis until 6-8 weeks of age [w]), plateaued growth (between 10 and 15w), and involution (after 18-20w). The distribution and abundance of GH-immunoreactivity (GH-IR) and GH mRNA expression in stromal and non-stromal bursal cells during development, as well as the potential anti-apoptotic effect of GH in bursal cell survival were the focus of this study. GH mRNA expression was mainly in the epithelial layer and in epithelial buds at embryonic day (ED) 15; at 2w it was widely distributed within the follicle and in the interfollicular epithelium (IFE); at 10w it clearly diminished in the epithelium; whereas at 20w it occurred in only a few cortical cells and in the connective tissue. Parallel changes in the relative proportion of GH mRNA expression (12, 21, 13, 1%) and GH-IR (19, 18, 11, <3%) were observed at ED 15, 2w, 10w, and 20w, respectively. During embryogenesis, GH-IR co-localized considerably with IgM-IR, but scarcely with IgG-IR, whereas the opposite was observed after hatching. Significant differences in bursal cell death occurred during development, with 9.3% of cells being apoptotic at ED 15, 0.4% at 2w, 0.23% at 10w, and 21.1% at 20w. Addition of GH increased cultured cell survival by a mechanism that involved suppression (up to 41%) of caspase-3 activity. Results suggest that autocrine/paracrine actions of bursal GH are involved in the differentiation and proliferation of B lymphocytes and in BF growth and cell survival in embryonic and neonatal chicks, whereas diminished GH expression in adults may result in bursal involution.

Immune growth hormone (GH): localization of GH and GH mRNA in the bursa of Fabricius

Expression of growth hormone (GH) and GH receptor (GHR) genes in the bursa of Fabricius of chickens suggests that it is an autocrine/paracrine site of GH production and action. The cellular localization of GH and GH mRNA within the bursa was the focus of this study. GH mRNA was expressed mainly in the cortex, comprised of lymphocyte progenitor cells, but was lacking in the medulla where lymphocytes mature. In contrast, more GH immunoreactivity (GH-IR) was present in the medulla than in the cortex. In non-stromal tissues, GH-IR and GH mRNA were primarily in lymphocytes, and also in macrophage-like cells and secretory dendritic cells. In stromal tissues, GH mRNA, GH and GHR were expressed in cells near the connective tissue (CT) between follicles and below the outer serosa. In contrast, GH (but not GH mRNA or GHR), was present in cells of the interfollicular epithelium (IFE), the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) and the interstitial corticoepithelium. This mismatch may reflect dynamic temporal changes in GH translation. Co-expression of GHR-IR, GH-IR, GH mRNA and IgG was found in immature lymphoid cells near the cortex and in IgG-IR CT cells, suggesting an autocrine/paracrine role for bursal GH in B-cell differentiation.

Expression and localization of growth hormone and its receptors in the chicken ovary during sexual maturation

Roles of pituitary growth hormone (GH) in female reproduction are well established. Autocrine and/or paracrine actions of GH in the mammalian ovary have additionally been proposed, although whether the ovary is an extra-pituitary site of GH expression in the laying hen is uncertain. This possibility has therefore been assessed in the ovaries of Hy-Line hens before (between 10-16 weeks of age) and after (week 17) the onset of egg laying. Reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis has consistently detected a full-length (690 bp) pituitary GH cDNA in ovarian stroma from 10 weeks of age, although GH expression is far lower than that in the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. GH mRNA is also present in small (>1-4 mm diameter) follicles after their ontogenetic appearance at 14 weeks of age and in all other developing follicles after 16 weeks of age (>4-30 mm diameter). Immunoreactivity for GH is similarly present in the ovarian stroma from 10 weeks of age and in small (<4 mm diameter) and large (>4-30 mm) follicles from 14 and 16 weeks of age, respectively. The relative intensity of GH staining in the ovarian follicles is consistently greater in the granulosa cells than in the thecal cells and is comparable with that in the follicular epithelium. A 321-bp fragment of GH receptor (GHR) cDNA, coding for the intracellular domain of the receptor, has also been detected by RT-PCR in the ovary and is present in stromal tissue by 10 weeks of age, in small follicles (<4 mm diameter) by 14 weeks of age, and in larger follicles (>4-30 mm diameter) from 16 weeks. GHR immunoreactivity has similarly been detected, like GH, in the developing ovary and in all follicles and is more intense in granulosa cells than in the theca interna or externa. The expression and location of the GH gene therefore parallels that of the GHR gene during ovarian development in the laying hen, as does the appearance of GH and GHR immunoreactivity. These results support the possibility that GH has autocrine and/or paracrine actions in ovarian function prior to and after the onset of lay in hens.

Hypophyseal corticosteroids stimulate somatotrope differentiation in the embryonic chicken pituitary gland

Although it is known that glucocorticoids induce differentiation of growth hormone (GH)-producing cells in rodents and birds, the effect of mineralocorticoids on GH mRNA expression and the origin of corticosteroids affecting somatotrope differentiation have not been elucidated. In this study, we therefore carried out experiments to determine the effect of mineralocorticoids on GH mRNA expression in the chicken anterior pituitary gland in vitro and to determine whether corticosteroids are synthesized in the chicken embryonic pituitary gland. In a pituitary culture experiment with E11 embryos, both corticosterone and aldosterone stimulated GH mRNA expression and increased the number of GH cells in both lobes of the pituitary gland in a dose-dependent manner. These effects of the corticosteroids were significantly reversed by pretreatment with mifepristone, a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist, or spironolactone, a mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist. Interestingly, an in vitro serum-free culture experiment with an E11 pituitary gland showed that the GH mRNA level spontaneously increased during cultivation for 2 days without any extra stimulation, and this increase in GH mRNA level was completely suppressed by metyrapone, a corticosterone-producing enzyme P450C11 inhibitor. Moreover, progesterone, the corticosterone precursor, also stimulated GH mRNA expression in the cultured chicken pituitary gland, and this effect was blocked by pretreatment with metyrapone. We also detected mRNA expression of enzymes of cytochrome P450 cholesterol side chain cleavage (P450scc) and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase1 (3beta-HSD1) in the developmental chicken pituitary gland from E14 and E18, respectively. These results suggest that mineralocorticoids as well as glucocorticoids can stimulate GH mRNA expression and that corticosteroids generated in the embryonic pituitary gland by intrinsic steroidogenic enzymes stimulate somatotrope differentiation.

Effects of chito-oligosaccharide supplementation on performance, nutrient digestibility, and serum composition in broiler chickens

A total of 196 day-old male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatments in a study conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of chito-oligosaccharide (COS) on growth, nutrient digestibility, and serum composition. The experimental diets consisted of an unsupplemented control diet based on corn, soybean meal, and fish meal or similar diets supplemented with either chlortetracycline, 50 mg/kg of COS, or 100 mg/kg of COS. Each treatment was fed to 7 replicate pens of birds, with 7 birds per pen. Broiler performance, nutrient digestibility, cecal microbial concentrations, and serum indices were measured at the end of the starter (d 21) and grower phases (d 42). During the starter period and overall, broilers fed 50 or 100 mg/kg of COS had better (P<0.05) average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion than the control birds. The performance of birds fed chlortetracycline was generally intermediate between that of the control and the 2 COS treatments. Compared with the birds in the control or chlortetracycline treatments, the birds receiving 100 mg/kg of COS had better nutrient digestibility of DM, energy, calcium, and phosphorus; higher (P<0.05) concentrations of cecal Lactobacillus; and lower (P<0.05) serum triglyceride and total cholesterol during the starter phase. During the grower phase, the birds fed 100 mg/kg of COS had higher (P<0.05) calcium digestibility and CP retention than those fed the chlortetracycline treatment, and lower concentrations of cecal Escherichia coli than birds in the control treatment. The serum growth hormone level in birds fed 50 mg/kg of COS was higher (P<0.05) than in the other treatments. The birds fed 100 mg/kg of COS had lower (P<0.05) serum triglyceride, higher (P<0.05) serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and higher serum total protein content than birds in the other treatments. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with COS appeared to improve the average daily gain of broilers by increasing the average daily feed intake and nutrient digestibility and modulating the concentrations of cecal microbial flora. Additionally, COS increased serum protein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and decreased serum triglyceride.

Independent differentiation of mammotropes and somatotropes in the chicken embryonic pituitary gland. Analysis by cell distribution and attempt to detect somatomammotropes

It has been reported that mammotropes in a rodent pituitary gland are derived from somatotropes via somatomammotropes (SMTs), cells that produce both growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (Prl). However, no studies have been done on the transdifferentiation of somatotropes in the chicken pituitary gland. In this study, in order to determine the origin of mammotropes, we studied detail property of appearance of chicken somatotropes, mammotropes and pit-1 cells and then evaluated the existence of SMTs in the chicken embryonic pituitary gland. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that GH-immunopositive (GH-ip) cells appeared on embryonic day (E) 14 and were mainly distributed in the caudal lobe, while Prl-immunopositive (Prl-ip) cells appeared in the cephalic lobe of the pituitary gland on E16. In situ hybridization (ISH) and RT-PCR analysis showed that expression of GH and Prl mRNA starts at E12 in the caudal lobe and at E14 in the cephalic lobe respectively. Pit-1 mRNA was first detected on E5 by RT-PCR, and pit-1 mRNA-expressing cells were found in the cephalic lobe on E8. Then with the ontogeny of the chicken, these cells spread into both lobes. Using a double staining method with ISH and immunohistochemistry, we could not detect the existence of SMTs in the chicken embryonic pituitary gland even in the marginal region of either lobe. These results suggest that chicken somatotropes and mammotropes independently appear in different lobes of pituitary gland and that transdifferentiation from somatotropes to mammotropes is not the central route for differentiation of mammotropes in the embryonic chicken pituitary gland.

Chicken growth hormone: further characterization and ontogenic changes of an N-glycosylated isoform in the anterior pituitary gland

Glycosylation is one of the post-translational modifications that growth hormone (GH) can undergo. This has been reported for human, rat, mouse, pig, chicken and buffalo GH. The nature and significance of GH glycosylation remains to be elucidated. This present study further characterizes glycosylated chicken GH (G-cGH) and examines changes in the pituitary concentration of G-cGH during embryonic development and post hatching growth. G-cGH was purified from chicken pituitaries by affinity chromatography (Concanavalin A-Sepharose and monoclonal antibody bound to Sepharose). Immunoreactive G-cGH has a MW of 26 kDa or 29 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE, respectively, under non-reducing and reducing conditions. Evidence that it is N-glycosylated comes from its susceptibility to peptide N-glycosidase F, and its resistance to O-glycosidase. Based on the ability of G-cGH to bind Concanavalin A or wheat germ agglutinin but not other lectins and its susceptibility to peptide N-glycosidase F, a hybrid or biantennary type glycopeptide (GlcNac2, Man) structure is proposed. Some G-cGH can be observed in the pituitary at most ages examined (from 15-day embryo to adult). Moreover, electron microscopy revealed the presence of both immuno-reactive GH and Concanavalin A-reactive sites in the same secretory granules in the somatotrope. There were marked changes in the level and relative proportion of G-cGH in the pituitary gland during development and growth, the proportion of G-cGH rising during late embryonic development (e.g., between 15 and 18 days of development) and with further increases between 9 weeks and 15 weeks old. G-cGH was able to bind to chicken liver membrane preparations with less affinity than non-glycosylated monomer; on the other hand, however, G-cGH stimulated cell proliferation on Nb2 lymphoma bioassay whereas the non-glycosylated monomer was uncapable to do it.

Fibronectin binding to the Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium ShdA autotransporter protein is inhibited by a monoclonal antibody recognizing the A3 repeat

ShdA is a large outer membrane protein of the autotransporter family whose passenger domain binds the extracellular matrix proteins fibronectin and collagen I, possibly by mimicking the host ligand heparin. The ShdA passenger domain consists of approximately 1,500 amino acid residues that can be divided into two regions based on features of the primary amino acid sequence: an N-terminal nonrepeat region followed by a repeat region composed of two types of imperfect direct amino acid repeats, called type A and type B. The repeat region bound bovine fibronectin with an affinity similar to that for the complete ShdA passenger domain, while the nonrepeat region exhibited comparatively low fibronectin-binding activity. A number of fusion proteins containing truncated fragments of the repeat region did not bind bovine fibronectin. However, binding of the passenger domain to fibronectin was inhibited in the presence of immune serum raised to one truncated fragment of the repeat region that contained repeats A2, B8, A3, and B9. Furthermore, a monoclonal antibody that specifically recognized an epitope in a recombinant protein containing the A3 repeat inhibited binding of ShdA to fibronectin.

Immunohistochemical localization of chromogranin A in gonadotrophs and somatotrophs of the turkey and chicken pituitary

In the course of producing monoclonal antibodies to turkey prolactin, three monoclonal antibodies to turkey chromogranin A (CgA) were also produced, apparently arising from minor contamination of the turkey prolactin immunogen with peptide fragments of CgA. The identity of the antigen recognized by these antibodies was established by tandem mass spectrometry de novo sequencing of seven tryptic peptides from a turkey pituitary protein purified by immunoaffinity chromatography. These peptides showed high homology with distinctly separate regions of mammalian and ostrich CgA, and in silico cloned chicken CgA sequences. Chromogranin A immunostaining patterns on Western blots and pituitary tissue sections differed from those of prolactin, growth hormone, or luteinizing hormone (LH). Dual-label fluorescent immunohistochemistry revealed that CgA was co-localized with LH in most avian gonadotrophs in young chickens and turkeys, but not in adult, laying birds. Conversely, CgA was found in a majority of somatotrophs in laying birds but was absent from somatotrophs in young, growing chickens and turkeys. Lactotrophs contained no detectable CgA immunoreactivity in the tissues studied. These results suggest that CgA may modulate hormone secretion by gonadotrophs and somatotrophs in a manner that differs between cell type with age or reproductive state.

Somatotrophic and thyroid hormones around the onset of lay in broiler breeders under different conditions

Somatotrophic and thyroid hormones were determined around the onset of reproduction in broiler breeders reared in two different housing systems [dark, close-sided house (CH) and conventional, open-sided house (OH)]. In both groups age-related changes were obvious for thyroxine (T4), growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1); levels of T4 decreased, especially between 24 and 28 weeks in both groups; concomitantly GH sharply increased over the same period. A transient peak in triiodothyronine (T3) occurred between 25 and 27 weeks. The effect of housing was only present after the onset of lay. Between weeks 27-28 and the end of the period studied, the CH group showed higher levels of GH and T3 but lower T4 levels as compared to the OH group. A significant increase in GH after onset of lay, without any significant rise in T3 or in IGF-I, could point to a relative insensitivity to high plasma GH levels. Changes at GH receptor level, together with an increased pituitary GH secretion and/or decreased GH turnover may be expected. This may indicate that hypothalamo-pituitary changes at the onset of lay not only imply changes of gonadotrophic cell function, but also other hormonal axes. The relatively decrease in T4 without changes in T3, may point to a decrease in the activity of the thyrotropic axis.

Involvement of thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor, somatostatin receptor subtype 2 and corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor type 1 in the control of chicken thyrotropin secretion

Thyrotropin or thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion in the chicken is controlled by several hypothalamic hormones. It is stimulated by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), whereas somatostatin (SRIH) exerts an inhibitory effect. In order to determine the mechanism by which these hypothalamic hormones modulate chicken TSH release, we examined the cellular localization of TRH receptors (TRH-R), CRH receptors type 1 (CRH-R1) and somatostatin subtype 2 receptors (SSTR2) in the chicken pars distalis by in situ hybridization (ISH), combined with immunological staining of thyrotropes. We show that thyrotropes express TRH-Rs and SSTR2s, allowing a direct action of TRH and SRIH at the level of the thyrotropes. CRH-R1 expression is virtually confined to corticotropes, suggesting that CRH-induced adrenocorticotropin release is the result of a direct stimulation of corticotropes, whereas CRH-stimulated TSH release is not directly mediated by the known chicken CRH-R1. Possibly CRH-induced TSH secretion is mediated by a yet unknown type of CRH-R in the chicken. Alternatively, a pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptide, secreted by the corticotropes following CRH stimulation, could act as an activator of TSH secretion in a paracrine way.

Pre- and postprandial changes in plasma hormone and metabolite levels and hepatic deiodinase activities in meal-fed broiler chickens

The present study aimed to study the effects of food deprivation and subsequent postprandial changes in plasma somatotrophic and thyrotrophic hormone levels and focused on the inter-relationships between these hormonal axes and representative metabolites of the intermediary metabolism of meal-fed broiler chickens. Male broiler chickens (2 weeks old) were fed a meal of 40-45 g/bird per d for two consecutive weeks (food-restricted (FR) treatment). The daily allowance was consumed in about 30 min. At 4 weeks of age, FR chickens were killed at several time intervals (ten per sampling time) in relation to the daily food allowance: before feeding (about 23.5 h of food deprivation), and at 10, 20, 30 (end of feeding), 40, 50, 60, 90, 120 and 200 min after initiation of feeding. Birds fed ad libitum served as controls (ad-libitum (AL) treatment). Liver tissue was collected for deiodinase type I and type III activity measurements and blood samples for analysis of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, thyroxine (T4), 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3), glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), uric acid, triacylglycerol (TG) and lactate levels. Food deprivation caused a shift from lipogenesis to lipolysis and increased fatty acid turnover, a reduction in protein anabolism and reduced metabolic rate. Food intake was followed immediately by a pronounced increase in metabolic rate, initially mainly based on anaerobic mechanisms. Refeeding gradually reversed the fasting-induced alterations in plasma hormone and metabolite levels, but the time course of changes differed between metabolites, which clearly preceded those of the hormones investigated. The order of responsiveness after food provision were glucose>uric acid>or=NEFA>lactate>TG for the plasma metabolites and for hormones. Based on these different postprandial time courses, several functional relationships are proposed. Glucose is believed to be the primary trigger for the normalisation of the effects of fasting on these plasma variables by restoring hepatic GH receptor capacity, as well as decreasing deiodinase type III activity.

Differential secretion of chicken growth hormone variants after growth hormone-releasing hormone stimulation in vitro

Variants of growth hormone (GH) are present in most vertebrates. Chicken GH (cGH) undergoes posttranslational modifications that contribute to its structural diversity. Although the 22-kDa form of GH is the most abundant, some other variants have discrete bioactivities that may not be shared by others. The proportion of cGH variants changes during ontogeny, suggesting that they are regulated differentially. The effect of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) on the release of cGH variants was studied in both pituitary gland and primary cell cultures, employing sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, and densitometry. GHRH (2 nM, 2 h) stimulated the secretion of most of the size variants of cGH although the amplitude of increase was not equal for each one. A differential effect on the secretion of GH size variants, particularly on the 22- (monomer) and 26-kDa (putatively glycosylated) cGH isoforms was found in both systems. In the whole pituitary culture, the proportion of the 26-kDa immunoreactive cGH increased 35% while the 22 kDa decreased 31% after GHRH treatment in comparison with the controls. In the primary cell culture system, the proportion of the glycosylated variant increased 43% whereas the monomer and the dimer decreased 22.26 and 29%, respectively, after GHRH stimulation. Activators of intracellular signals such as 1 mM 8-bromo-cAMP and 1 microM phorbol myristate acetate had a similar effect to that obtained with GHRH. The data support the hypothesis that GH variants may be under differential control and that GHRH promotes the release of a glycosylated cGH variant that has an extended half-life in circulation.

Developmental changes in thyrotropic and somatotropic effect of TRH in precocial Japanese quail and altricial European starlings

The thyrotropic and somatotropic effects of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) in precocial Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) and altricial European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) during postnatal ontogeny were studied. Concentrations of thyroid hormones (TH) and growth hormone (GH) in the circulation were determined 60 min after the subcutaneous administration of TRH. In quail, TRH caused an increase of triiodothyronine (T(3)) in plasma during the phase of rapid growth, whereas thyroxine (T(4)) concentrations were not affected. In starlings, with a different developmental pattern of TH concentrations, TRH induced an increase of plasma T(3) concentrations on all analyzed days, whereas a significant increase of T(4) occurred on day 1 only. Concentrations of GH were stimulated by TRH in both species. Although growth rate is nearly two times higher in starlings than in quail, differences in the control of the thyrotropic and somatotropic axes do not parallel this difference and tissue sensitivity to other hormonal signals are expected in both developmental strategies.

Transcriptional regulation of iodothyronine deiodinases during embryonic development

A single dose of chicken growth hormone (cGH) or dexamethasone acutely increases circulating T(3) levels in 18-day-old chicken embryos through a reduction of hepatic type III iodothyronine deiodinase (D3). The data in the present study suggest that this decrease in D3 is induced by a direct downregulation of hepatic D3 gene transcription. The lack of effect of cGH or dexamethasone on brain and kidney D3 activity, furthermore suggests that both hormones affect peripheral thyroid hormone metabolism in a tissue specific manner. Dexamethasone administration also results in an increase in brain type II iodothyronine deiodinase (D2) activity and mRNA levels that is also regulated at a transcriptional level. In contrast, however, cGH has no effect on brain D2 activity, thereby suggesting that either GH cannot pass through the blood-brain barrier in chicken or that cGH and dexamethasone regulate thyroid hormone deiodination by different mechanisms. In addition, the very short half-life of D2 and D3 (t(1/2)<1 h) in comparison with the longer half life of type I iodothyronine deiodinase (D1, t(1/2)>8 h), allows for D2 and D3 to play a more prominent role in the acute regulation of peripheral thyroid hormone metabolism than D1.

The turkey transcription factor Pit-1/GHF-1 can activate the turkey prolactin and growth hormone gene promoters in vitro but is not detectable in lactotrophs in vivo

The transcription factor Pit-1/GHF-1 plays an important role in regulating the prolactin (Prl) and growth hormone (GH) genes in mammals. In this study, the role that Pit-1 plays in regulating the prolactin and growth hormone genes in avian species was examined by cotransfection assays and immunofluorescence staining of pituitary sections. In cotransfection assays, turkey Pit-1 activated the turkey Prl, turkey GH, and rat Prl promoters 3.8-, 3.7-, and 12.5-fold, respectively. This activation was comparable to rat Pit-1 activation of these same promoters. A point mutation in the turkey Pit-1 cDNA, which changed leu-219 to ser-219, resulted in a 2-, 2-, and 10-fold reduction in the activation of the turkey Prl, turkey GH, and rat Prl promoters, respectively. Unexpectedly, coexpression of tPit-1 (leu-219) and tPit-1(ser-219) activated turkey Prl and rat Prl promoters 9.4- and 35.9-fold, respectively, but had no effect on the turkey GH promoter. Dual-label immunofluorescence analysis of turkey pituitary sections revealed that Pit-1 was not detectable in prolactin-staining cells but was detectable in GH-staining cells. Taken together, these data indicate that in the domestic turkey, Pit-1 can activate the turkey Prl promoter in vitro, but does not appear to play a role in regulating Prl gene expression in vivo. Pit-1, however, still likely plays a role in regulating GH gene expression.

Characterization of a bioactive 15 kDa fragment produced by proteolytic cleavage of chicken growth hormone

There is evidence for a cleaved form of GH in the chicken pituitary gland. A 25 kDa band of immunoreactive-(ir-)GH, as well as the 22 kDa monomeric form and some oligomeric forms were observed when purified GH or fresh pituitary extract were subjected to SDS-PAGE under nonreducing conditions. Under reducing conditions, the 25 kDa ir-GH was no longer observed, being replaced by a 15 kDa band, consistent with reduction of the disulfide bridges of the cleaved form. The type of protease involved was investigated using exogenous proteases and monomeric cGH. Cleaved forms of chicken GH were generated by thrombin or collagenase. The site of cleavage was found in position Arg133-Gly134 as revealed by sequencing the fragments produced. The NH2-terminal sequence of 40 amino acid residues in the 15 kDa form was identical to that of the rcGH and analysis of the remaining 7 kDa fragment showed an exact identity with positions 134-140 of cGH structure. The thrombin cleaved GH and the 15 kDa form showed reduced activity (0.8% and 0.5% of GH, respectively) in a radioreceptor assay employing a chicken liver membrane preparation. However, this fragment had a clear bioactivity in an angiogenic bioassay and was capable to inhibit the activity of deiodinase type III in the chicken liver.

Quantification of growth hormone receptor extra- and intracellular domain gene expression in chicken liver by quantitative competitive RT-PCR

The very sensitive competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to investigate the expression of the extracellular (GHRe) and intracellular (GHRi) parts of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) in the liver tissue of chickens. Two competitors (internal standards), pGHRi MUT and pGHRe MUT, specific to the GHRi and GHRe genes, respectively, were constructed by site-specific mutagenesis. The internal standards defined PCR products of 394 bp for the pGHRi MUT and 330 bp for the GHRe MUT. These were used as competitors to the wild-type GHRi or GHRe which defined PCR products of 382 and 328 bp, respectively. Coamplification, under standardized conditions, of the native RNA in competition with serial dilutions of the mutant RNA in the same PCR reaction followed by enzymatic digestion produced the expected sizes of internal standard cDNA and predicted target cDNA. Expression levels of GHRe and GHRi were determined from standard curves generated. The method was sensitive enough to detect expressions down to picogram levels. Applying this method, the effect of GH and T(3) injection on GHRe and GHRi mRNA expression was determined in the liver of adult female Hisex birds and 1-day-old normal and dwarf chickens. Intravenous GH injection (25 microg/kg body weight) increased plasma levels of GH in Hisex birds after 10 min but rapidly decreased at 60 min followed by an increase in T(3). GH injection significantly increased the expression of the GHRe 60 min after injection but not at 10 min, when the GH level in plasma was high. In the liver of saline-treated dwarf (dw) and nondwarf (Dw) chicks, the level of expression of GHRe was similar in both strains despite disparate levels of basal GH and T(3). However, the level of GHRi was higher in Dw than in dw chicks. Although GH levels increased in both strains after intravenous GH injection (250 microg/kg body wt), the expression of GHRe in both strains was unaffected. However, the mRNA for the GHRi was significantly depressed by injection in the Dw but unaffected in dw chicks. Intravenous injection of T(3) (0.5 and 5 microg/kg body wt) increased plasma levels in both strains but caused depression of GHRi in Dw but not in dw chicks. T(3) injections had no effect on GHRe in either Dw or dw chicks. It is concluded that the expression of the GHRe in adult chickens is GH regulated either directly or indirectly. In contrast, in 1-day-old chicks, GH or T(3) had no effects on the GHRe but regulated the expression of GHRi in Dw chicks, whereas in dwarf chicks both had no effect on GHRe or GHRi expression. It is postulated that GHRe and GHRi gene expression may be regulated by different agonists/antagonists in different strains and depending on the age of the chicken.

The effects of dietary L-carnitine supplementation on the performance, organ weights and circulating hormone and metabolite concentrations of broiler chickens reared under a normal or low temperature schedule

1. The present study examined the effects of the addition of 100 mg/kg L-carnitine to the basal starter (containing 17.8 mg/kg L-carnitine) and finisher (containing 22.9 mg/kg L-carnitine) diets on performance, organ weights and plasma hormone and metabolite concentrations of male and female broiler chickens. The broiler chickens were reared either in a room with a normal temperature (NT) program or with a low temperature (LT) program (rapid decrease from 28 degrees C to 20 degrees C at 14 d of age). 2. Broiler chickens reared under the LT schedule consumed more food and attained a greater body weight at 42 d of age than their counterparts reared under NT schedule, without any difference in food efficiency or abdominal fat content. Dietary L-carnitine supplementation had no significant effects on any of these production parameters, except for a reduction in the abdominal fat content of female NT chickens. However, the LT schedule and dietary L-carnitine supplementation greatly increased absolute and proportional heart weights. The elevated heart weights were not due to right ventricle hypertrophy. 3. Both the LT program and L-carnitine supplementation increased circulating plasma triiodothyronine concentrations. There were also some transient effects of both experimental variables on plasma growth hormone, glucose and triglyceride concentrations. 4. L-carnitine did not improve broiler performance. However, this result does not mean that L-carnitine supplementation cannot have beneficial effects in other circumstances. In view of the elevated proportional heart weights, it can also be argued that L-carnitine is a potential agent for reducing the incidence of metabolic diseases in broiler chickens.

Early and temporary quantitative food restriction of broiler chickens. 2. Effects on allometric growth and growth hormone secretion

1. An experiment was conducted with male broiler chickens to investigate the effect of different early food restriction programmes on proportional weights and allometric growth coefficients of carcase parts and on pulsatile growth hormone secretion. 2. At 4 d of age the animals were restricted to 80% or 90% of the ad libitum intake for 4 d or 80% for 8 d. When the restriction was finished, all birds received ad libitum food again. 3. On d 1, 8, 11, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42, from each group 8 birds were weighed, stunned and killed and the weights of the stomachs, liver, heart, sternum, right thigh, right drumstick, breast and abdominal fat pad were determined. On d 29, 30, 31, 32 serial blood samples of 2 birds from each group were taken to determine the plasma growth hormone (GH) content. 4. Only the most severe restriction resulted in a tendency for the stomachs to mature earlier and the thighs to mature later. No other significant effect on the allometric coefficients could be observed. 5. It is concluded that during the restriction the birds give priority to the development of the supply organs such as the stomach, which are more important during early development at the expense of the demand tissues like breast and thigh. 6. No significant differences concerning the GH secretory parameters could be observed.

Food deprivation and feeding of broiler chickens is associated with rapid and interdependent changes in the somatotrophic and thyrotrophic axes

1. In several experiments, hormonal changes in the somatotrophic axis, growth hormone (GH) sensitivity to a GH-secretagogue, thyroid hormones and their metabolising enzymes and plasma glucose levels were measured in relation to food deprivation and reinitiation after a single daily meal in 4- to 5-week-old male broiler chickens. 2. Floor-reared male broiler chickens were fed ad libitum or were restricted to a daily food intake of 40 or 45 g per d from the age of 2 weeks onwards. The daily food allowance was consumed in 0.5 h. 3. Food deprivation increased plasma GH concentrations but decreased GH-dependent variables such as plasma insulin-like growth factor-I and 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations. Hepatic inner ring deiodinating type III activity was markedly elevated, presumably as a consequence of low hepatic GH receptor numbers, and is thought to be the causal mechanism for the low plasma T3 concentrations. Food intake reversed these variables in a time-related manner. 4. GH pulsatility characteristics, as calculated by deconvolution analysis, revealed profound changes between food restricted and ad libitum fed animals. Chickens deprived of food for about 23.5 h were characterised by an enhanced pulsatile GH release as reflected in the higher GH secretory burst amplitude, GH mass per burst, GH production rate and GH pulse frequency. These variables returned very quickly to normal values after refeeding. 5. In summary these experiments taken together demonstrate very clearly the interdependent and time-related changes of the somatotrophic and thyroid axes upon a single meal in previously food-deprived broiler chickens.

Role of melatonin in the control of growth and growth hormone secretion in poultry

The pineal hormone melatonin controls reproduction of photoperiodic mammals and is an integral part of the circadian organization in birds. Recent findings indicate an involvement of this hormone also in more basic physiological processes, including growth, development, and aging. Melatonin may modulate growth in poultry through interaction with transcriptional factors, through interaction with hormones involved in growth control, and by modulation of energy metabolism and decreasing physical activity. Our studies showed that a single melatonin injection increased plasma growth hormone (GH) concentrations in the Japanese quail. Specific serotonin receptor blocker ketanserin did not preclude a stimulatory action of melatonin on GH synthesis. Serotonin agonist quipazine increased GH levels but failed to enhance the stimulatory effect of melatonin. Pretreatment with melatonin in drinking water did not affect the magnitude of the GH response to subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) that considerably stimulated GH secretion. Present data suggest that melatonin modulates rather central neural pathways involved in the control of GH synthesis at the hypothalamic level than the sensitivity of the pituitary gland.

The regulation of GH-dependent hormones and enzymes after feed restriction in dwarf and control chickens

The principal objective of this study was to examine the GH-dependency of IGF-I and IGF-II changes in the chicken. To this end, the regulation of GH-dependent hormones and enzymes were studied in undernourished normal and dwarf chickens. The dwarf chickens examined exhibit a Laron-type dwarfism and have been shown to be GH receptor deficient. Thus, they provide an interesting model to determine the GH-dependency of IGF-I and IGF-II changes. Short (1 day) and long-term (7 days) feed restriction was imposed on growing normal and dwarf chickens to follow the subsequent endocrine changes. Since short-term feed restriction of dwarf chickens resulted in decreased plasma IGF-I, it appears that this is not a GH-dependent effect. However, with longer term undernutrition, IGF-I was not decreased in dwarf chickens. So, after a longer restriction period, the regulation of these factors appears to become more GH-dependent. IGF-II was not depressed at all by feed restriction in the dwarf chicken, suggesting a degree of GH-dependency.

Prenatal development of hematopoietic and hormone-producing cells in the chicken adenohypophysis

The developmental sequence of markers for hematopoietic, hormone-producing, and folliculo-stellate cells in the chicken adenohypophysis is described using immunohistochemical staining techniques. Hematopoietic cells are detected in cryosections of the adenohypophysis starting from 10- or 12-day embryos, using chicken-specific monoclonal antibodies against the leukocyte common antigen (CD45) and the macrophage antigen CVI-ChNL-68.1, respectively. During the second half of embryonic development, CVI-ChNL-68.1-positive macrophages, which are also found in several lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues of the embryo, progressively populate the adenohypophysis, simultaneously with the maturation of the different hormone-producing cell types in their characteristic topographical location. In cryosections of embryonic chicken adenohypophyses, from day 10, distinct cell populations gradually become immunoreactive to chicken-specific monoclonal antibodies against proopiomelanocortin, the beta-subunit of luteinizing hormone, growth hormone, and prolactin. At hatching, these pituitary hormones are immunohistochemically detectable in a topographical pattern corresponding to the known distribution of hormone-producing cells in the adult chicken adenohypophysis. However, in the hatchling, there is no immunoreactivity to the S100 protein, a marker characteristic for the non-hormone-producing folliculo-stellate (FS) cells in the adult adenohypophysis, although FS cells in the 4-week-old chicken show a strong immunoreactivity to a polyclonal antiserum against bovine S100. Immunoreactivity to the major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-class II of the chicken) is also absent in the embryonic adenohypophysis, thereby corroborating the absence of these characteristic markers of dendritic cells (MHC class II) and FS cells (S100) in the perinatal adenohypophysis, as in the rat. It is concluded that, whereas early macrophages populate the adenohypophysis simultaneously with the maturation of hormone-producing cells (i.e., during the second half of embryonic development), the FS cell-specific expression of S100 protein does not take place before hatching, and neither does the expression of MHC-class II antigens in the embryonic chicken adenohypophysis.

Metabolic disturbances in male broilers of different strains. 2. Relationship between the thyroid and somatotropic axes with growth rate and mortality

Seven male broiler strains (Arbor Acres, Avian Farms, Cobb-500, Hubbard-Peterson, ISA, Naked Neck, and Ross) were compared for their growth rate, feed efficiency, and mortality due to sudden death and ascites. In addition, weekly plasma levels of thyroid hormones [3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) thyroxine (T4), T3: T4 ratio, growth hormone (GH), and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I)] were determined. The highly productive, commercial strains were very similar in their endocrine profiles but differed markedly from the Naked Neck chickens. Naked Neck chickens were characterized by higher plasma T3 and lower T4 levels at similar ages as well as when compared on the same body weight basis. The present findings support the hypothesis that the slightly hypothyroid state of high productive broilers renders them more sensitive to metabolic disorders. Naked Neck chickens also had higher plasma GH levels than those of their age-matched commercial broilers. The coefficient of variation for GH was highest for Naked Neck chickens, which is indicative for an amplified GH burst amplitude. It may be stated that changes in plasma thyroid hormone concentration in indirect response to selection for low feed conversion and fast growth may be causatively linked to susceptibility for metabolic disturbances such as sudden death syndrome and ascites.

Performance and physiological variables in broiler chicken lines differing in susceptibility to the ascites syndrome: 2. Effect of ambient temperature on partial efficiencies of protein and fat retention and plasma hormone concentrations

1. Male broilers of 5 genetic stocks (A, B, C, D and E), selected in different ways for fast growth and low food conversion rate (FCR) and differing in sensitivity to ascites, were subjected to 2 different ambient temperature (Ta) step-down programmes: normal (HT) and low (LT) Ta. 2. Ascites incidence was followed daily. Growth and food intake were measured weekly. Heat production (Hp), oxygen consumption (Oxc) and energy- metabolism parameters were calculated according to the comparative slaughter method. At week 4 blood samples were taken for the analysis of plasma T4, T3, growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) concentrations. 3. Within-line changes of GH and IGF-1 point to the relative independence of both hormone concentrations. 4. Partial protein efficiency was higher in lines with lower GH, especially at LT. 5. The increase in plasma T3 concentration at LT was accompanied by a decrease in relative fat deposition from the increased energy expenditure. 6. The combination of fast growth and low FCR, linked to a low plasma T4 concentration at LT is indicative of a thyroid insufficiency which is related to an increased occurrence of ascites in these lines.

Generation of chicken growth hormone-binding proteins by proteolysis

A soluble protein that specifically bound growth hormone (GH) was characterized in culture medium of a COS-7 cell line transfected with the cDNA of the full-length chicken GH receptor (cGHR). Incubation of culture medium with 125I-labeled human GH resulted in the formation of a single specific complex with high affinity (KD = 0.36 nM) and apparent molecular weight of 75 kDa. The production of large quantities of GH-binding protein (GHBP) amounting to, per hour, 23% of the cell's GHR, points to the importance of partial proteolysis for GHR turnover. Considerable amounts of GHBP were also detected in a cytosolic fraction. These results strongly suggest that in chicken, as in rabbit and monkey, the GHBP is generated, at least partially, by proteolytic cleavage of the membrane-anchored GHR.

Acute pretranslational regulation of type III iodothyronine deiodinase by growth hormone and dexamethasone in chicken embryos

Both growth hormone (GH) and glucocorticoids are regulators of thyroid hormone metabolism in vertebrates. Studies on chicken embryos demonstrated that intravenous (i.v.) injection of chicken GH or glucocorticoids results in increased plasma 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations, and this through a reduction of hepatic type III iodothyronine deiodinase (D3) activity. The recent cloning of chicken type I iodothyronine deiodinase (D1) and D3 offers the tools to investigate at what level (pre- or posttranslational) this downregulation of D3 occurs. Eighteen day old chicken embryos were injected with either 0.9% NaCl (control), 50 microg dexamethasone (DEX), or 20 microg cGH per animal. Plasma and tissue samples were taken 5, 10, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min post-injection. Plasma T3 and thyroxine (T4) were determined as well as in vitro hepatic D1 and D3 activities. Hepatic D1 and D3 mRNA levels were measured by both Northern analysis and competitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Injection of GH or DEX resulted in a significant increase in plasma T3 when compared to controls within 30 min post-injection. This increase remained until the end of the experiment in the DEX-treated group, but not in the GH group. GH administration had no influence on plasma T4 levels, whereas DEX significantly reduced plasma T4 from 30 min onwards. Hepatic D1 activity and D1 mRNA levels showed no changes. Hepatic D3 activity, however, decreased within 10 min after DEX administration and somewhat slower after GH administration (within 30 min). Hepatic D3 activity remained low for the remainder of the experiment in the DEX-treated group, whereas D3 activity gradually returned to control levels in the GH group. This change in hepatic D3 activity was paralleled by the changes in hepatic D3 mRNA levels (r = 0.88, P = 0.0001) as confirmed by both Northern analysis and competitive RT-PCR. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that in embryonic chicken GH and DEX acutely increase plasma T3 levels by decreasing hepatic D3 activity, a decrease that seems to be regulated predominantly at the pretranslational level. These results are also an indication for the short half life (t(1/2)) of the D3 enzyme. The time lag between the effect of GH and DEX on hepatic D3 mRNA may be due to differences in the mechanism of action between both hormones, a subject that needs further investigation.

Performance, incidence of metabolic disturbances and endocrine variables of food-restricted male broiler chickens

1. This experiment was carried out to evaluate the productive and physiological consequences of a slight but long term food restriction of male broiler chickens from 2 commercial strains. 2. Cobb-500 and Ross chickens were submitted to a 20% food restriction from 8 to 21 d of age. Strain, food programme and their interactive effects were analysed in terms of consequences upon performance, mortality, incidence of sudden death syndrome (SDS) and ascites syndrome (AS), index of right cardiac hypertrophy and plasma concentrations of hormones related to metabolism and growth (T3, T4, T3:T4 ratio, IGF-I and GH). 3. Although some catch-up growth was observed by refeeding previously restricted birds after 22 d of rearing, food restriction decreased (P < or = 0.05) body weight at market age (42 d) irrespective of the strain, but improved (P < or = 0.05) food conversion. 4. The incidence of mortality was not high in non-restricted birds but SDS and AS caused more than 50% of deaths. Hypertrophic cardiac index was observed in chickens of both strains after 4 weeks of age and was higher in ad libitum fed birds. 5. During the period of food restriction, plasma T3 and IGF-I concentrations decreased whereas plasma T4 and GH concentrations increased compared to those of the age-matched ad libitum fed counterparts. During the subsequent ad libitum feeding period, few differences in circulating hormone concentrations were observed, except for the higher mean GH litres in previously food-restricted chickens at 35 d of age. 6. These results indicate that even a non-severe food restriction negatively affects body weight of 42-d-old male broilers but these are benefits with improved food efficiency and diminished mortality from metabolic disturbances. The hormone results suggest that the degree of food restriction applied was not severe because there was a very fast adaptive response with small and transient alterations in T3, T4 and GH plasma concentrations during the period of compensatory growth.

The molecular characterisation of chicken pituitary N-terminal pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)

Monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) specifically recognizing the chicken pituitary corticotropes were used to isolate a population of closely related peptides from crude chicken pituitary extracts. A homogeneous N-terminal sequence homologous to the extreme N-terminus of mammalian and amphibian pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) was revealed. Further physicochemical analysis proved the existence of a series of C-terminally truncated peptides including 3 major molecular species corresponding to Ser1-Gly64, Ser1-Arg73 and Ser1-Gly105 respectively. The two latter molecules were shown to be N-glycosylated at position Asn67, with mass spectrometric data indicating a carbohydrate structure of the oligomannose 5 type, in addition to two more complex structures. No evidence was found in favour of O-glycosylation on Ser47. Degenerated PCR primers were deduced from the above protein sequence and from the known chicken adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) sequence. The nucleotide sequence obtained by reversed transcription PCR (RT-PCR) completely confirmed the new amino acid sequence data including pro-gamma-MSH, the joining peptide and ACTH.

In ovo treatment with an aromatase inhibitor masculinizes postnatal hormone levels, abdominal fat pad content, and GH pulsatility in broiler chickens

Vorozole, a selective aromatase inhibitor, was administered in ovo to test the specific embryonic role of estrogen in conferring the sex distinction in GH release and body phenotype in broilers. On Day 6 of incubation, eggs were injected with saline or with different concentrations of vorozole. Postnatal blood samples were analyzed for T3, T4, GH, estradiol (E2), and testosterone (T). At the age of 4 wk, control and vorozole-treated birds were cannulated, and serial blood samples were withdrawn every 10 min for 5 hr, wherein GH pulsatility characteristics were determined using deconvolution analysis. The proportional abdominal fat pad weight was reduced significantly in the treated groups, especially in female birds. The vorozole treatment increased plasma T3, E2, T, and GH concentrations, and decreased T4. The frequency of the GH pulses was lower and the interval between the bursts (min) was higher in the vorozole-treated group, as were the mass secreted per burst (ng/ml), the amplitude (ng/ml/min) and the production rate (ng/ml/5 hr). In conclusion, early in ovo treatment with a potent aromatase inhibitor is able to increase the mean serum T3 and GH concentration and masculinize the GH pulse pattern, resulting in an economically favorable decrease in abdominal fat pad content in male and female broilers at slaughter age.

Intermittent lighting reduces the incidence of ascites in broilers: an interaction with protein content of feed on performance and the endocrine system

An experiment with 840 day-old male broiler chicks (Ross) was initiated to investigate the effect of intermittent lighting schedules, combined with two isocaloric feeds differing in protein content, on ascites mortality. At 9 d of age, chicks were randomly distributed over two rooms: one room with a 23 h light(L):1 h dark (D) lighting schedule (CL), and another room with an intermittent lighting schedule (IL, 1L:3D). In each room, two isocaloric feeds differing in CP content, supplemented or not supplemented with 1.5 ppm triiodothyronine (T3), were provided. The experiment was repeated under identical conditions except that lighting schedules were changed between rooms. From Day 14 onwards, biweekly growth and feed intake were determined and feed conversion (FCR) was calculated. Daily mortality was recorded and necropsies were performed. Weekly blood samples were taken from 10 randomly chosen birds per experimental group for measurements of growth hormone (GH), thyroid hormones [thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)], and hematocrit values. Birds reared in IL manifested a more concave growth trajectory than those in CL, which was associated with a lower FCR and higher plasma GH levels during the finisher period. Mortality due to ascites was markedly increased by dietary T3 supplementation. In hyperthyroid chickens, ascites mortality was lower in IL than in CL and lower in birds fed normal protein than in those fed subnormal protein levels. Dietary T3 decreased plasma GH and T4 levels, whereas T3 levels were increased. It is concluded that IL or a higher protein content of the feed reduces the incidence of T3-induced ascites mortality. Possible causal mechanisms are discussed.

The effect of food intake from two weeks of age to sexual maturity on plasma growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins, and thyroid hormones in female broiler breeder chickens

Plasma concentrations of metabolic hormones were determined in broiler breeders fed on three quantitatively different food regimes in the period prior to sexual maturity. The first group was fed ad libitum, the second group was fed a restricted quantity of food, and the third group was restricted to obtain an intermediate body weight between those of the first two groups. In food-restricted birds, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) reached the highest plasma concentrations at 8 and 14 weeks of age in contrast with levels in the fully fed animals, in which only one maximum value was observed at 10 weeks. From 14 weeks on, IGF-I concentrations remained higher in the restricted groups compared to the ad libitum group. Three IGF-binding proteins with molecular masses of 28, 34, and 40.5 kDa were detected in the plasma of broiler breeders after Western ligand blotting. The concentrations of the 28- and 34-kDa IGF-binding protein bands showed an age-related pattern in all groups. The intensity of these bands was higher in the restricted groups compared to that of the bands for the fully fed animals. No significant differences between the groups could be observed in the intensity of the 40.5-kDa band. Food restriction resulted in higher plasma concentrations of GH and T4 compared with levels in the fully fed animals. T3 plasma concentrations were higher in the ad libitum fed group than in the restricted groups. In all groups, GH and T3 concentrations decreased with advancing age, whereas T4 increased during the same period. This is the first description of the effects of long-term food restriction prior to the onset of sexual maturity on circulating levels of hormones of the somatotrophic and the thyrotrophic axes in female broiler breeders. The interrelationship between GH, IGF-I, IGFBPs, and thyroid hormone concentrations and differences in subsequent reproductive performance of differently fed broiler breeders requires further investigation.

Compensatory growth of broiler chickens is associated with an enhanced pulsatile growth hormone (GH) secretion: preferential amplification of GH secretory burst mass

1. The present study was conducted to establish the effect of compensatory growth of broiler chickens on pulsatile growth hormone (GH) secretion. 2. Exposing male broiler chickens to intermittent lighting (IL) at 10 d of age was associated with a transient reduction in body weight gain which was followed by compensatory growth from 4 weeks of age onwards. At 34 d of age, cannulated IL broiler chickens manifesting compensatory growth and control chickens reared under continuous illumination (CL) were serially sampled at 10 min intervals over 5 consecutive hours and plasma GH concentrations measured. The resultant GH time series were analysed by deconvolution analysis. 3. The overall mean GH concentration was higher for IL than for CL broilers. The burst frequency did not differ between lighting treatments, but during each GH surge, IL broilers released a higher GH mass which resulted in higher GH amplitude values. As a consequence, GH production rates of IL broilers during the entire sampling session were markedly elevated compared to those of their age-matched CL broilers. There were no differences in the monoexponential GH half-life. 4. Compensatory growth in broiler chickens is associated with an amplification of GH secretory burst mass. The underlying causal mechanisms remain to be elucidated.

The use of intermittent lighting in broiler raising. 2. Effects on the somatotrophic and thyroid axes and on plasma testosterone levels

Male and female broiler chicks were raised separately in nearly continuous lighting [23 h light (L):1 h dark (D), CL] and consumed feed ad libitum. At 7 d of age, the intermittent lighting schedule (1L:3D, IL) was imposed on half of the chicks, whereas the other chicks remained under CL. In addition to performance characteristics, several parameters of the somatotrophic and thyrotrophic axes were studied together with plasma concentrations of testosterone. Males had a higher growth rate than females regardless of the imposed lighting schedule and this pronounced growth difference is reflected by higher plasma concentrations of growth hormone (GH), and a better GH receptor occupancy. Differences in growth rate between sexes could not be attributed to differences in circulating 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) levels or to hepatic deiodination activities. However, from 3 wk of age onwards, males had significantly higher plasma testosterone levels than females. Plasma GH and T3 levels decreased whereas plasma insulin-like growth factor-I and thyroxine levels increased with age in all experimental groups. The age-related decline in plasma GH levels were less pronounced for males than for females. No major changes in other hormonal parameters or deiodination activities could be observed as a result of imposing IL, except for the higher plasma GH levels of IL chickens, and for plasma testosterone concentrations in IL males at Day 41, which were twice the levels found in their CL counterparts. These results therefore suggest that the somatotrophic axis as well as circulating testosterone levels mediate the sex-related differences in growth rate and the compensatory growth as present in males.

Plasma thyroid hormone and growth hormone patterns in precocial Japanese quail and altricial European starlings during postnatal development

Plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones (TH) and growth hormone (GH) during postnatal development in the precocial Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), and the altricial European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) were measured. Developmental changes in plasma TH found in the starling, differ considerably from those detected in quail. In quail rather high triiodothyronine (T3) values were measured during the first few days after hatching. Subsequently a steady decrease of plasma T3, to adult levels, was observed. Thyroxine (T4) concentrations did not change significantly during the period studied. In starlings, on day 1, plasma T3 was low and T4 was at or below the assay detection limit. An increase in concentrations of both hormones occurred between day 1 and day 5 after hatching. A gradual increase of T4 occurred afterwards, while plasma T3 levels remained nearly constant during this growing period. Plasma GH concentrations showed a similar pattern in both species. There was an increase during first days after hatching and GH concentrations peaked at day 7 in quail and day 5 in starlings. A subsequent decrease was observed in both species. Although the GH profiles in species studied were comparable, there were noticeable differences in their growth rates. Thus different developmental strategies have been reflected in different developmental patterns of TH in precocial Japanese quail and altricial European starling whereas developmental changes of GH levels were similar in both species.

One-step immunoaffinity purification and partial characterization of hypophyseal growth hormone from the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell)

Growth hormone (GH) was purified from African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) pituitary extracts in a single step by use of immunoaffinity chromatography. A monoclonal antibody to chicken GH, which labels the catfish hypophyseal somatotropes in immunocytochemistry, was coupled to CNBr-activated Sepharose, and crude alkaline pituitary extracts were run over the immunoadsorbent. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of the eluted material suggested heterogeneity, whereas silver staining upon SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed one single band with an estimated molecular weight between 22,000 and 23,000 Da. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis of the same preparation revealed the presence of several components with molecular weights ranging from 20,170 to 20,900 Da. The amino terminus of the protein was homogeneous, and the first 50 residues matched the proposed sequence of GH from two other siluran species (Ictalurus punctatus and Pangasius pangasius), except for one substitution at position 3. These data unequivocally confirm the identity of the purified molecule as suggested by immunochemical evidence. The bioactivity of the GH preparation was demonstrated by the short-term effect of GH on T3 plasma levels in juvenile catfish.

Disappearance rate of glycosylated and non-glycosylated chicken growth hormone: influence on biological activity

The disappearance rates for glycosylated (GcGH) and non-glycosylated chicken growth hormone (NGcGH) were compared following their intravenous injection into anaesthetized adult laying hens. The metabolic clearance rate of GcGH was about 20% lower (P = 0.13) compared to NGcGH. Similarly, there was a tendency towards a longer half-life for GcGH. No major physiological significance could be attributed to the glycosylation state of the preparations as far as their effects on circulating insulin-like growth factor I and iodohormone levels were concerned.

Increased sensitivity to triiodothyronine (T3) of broiler lines with a high susceptibility for ascites

1. In the studies reported here, broiler lines divergently selected for susceptibility to ascites under low temperature conditions were tested for their sensitivity to 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) with respect to growth rate, rate of mortality, plasma concentrations of T3, right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) and incidence of ascites. 2. Mean body weight of the ascites-susceptible line (BC-line) was higher than that of the ascites-resistant line (A-line). Adding 0.5 mg T3/kg of the diet depressed growth rate to the same extent in both lines. The effect of T3 on growth was more pronounced for males than for females. 3. T3-supplementation increased the relative weight of the heart and the incidence of RVH to the same extent in both lines. More of the T3-treated BC-line chickens had fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity than the T3-treated A-line chickens. 4. Dietary T3-treatment depressed the plasma concentration of growth hormone (GH) profoundly and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) slightly but to the same extent in both lines. The coefficient of variation of GH concentrations indicate that T3 treatment mainly decreased GH-pulsatility in young growing broilers. 5. Higher doses of dietary T3 (1 and 2 mg/kg) increased mortality in a dose-dependent manner. With 2 mg T3/kg, mortality in the BC-line was almost double that in the A-line. 6. These studies indicate that the development of ascites could be linked with thyroid function. Moreover, dietary T3 supplementation could be used to help identify ascites-inducing factors or genetic lines with differential sensitivity for ascites.

Pulsatility of plasma growth hormone and hepatic growth hormone receptor characteristics of broiler chickens divergently selected for abdominal fat content

1. Plasma growth hormone (GH) pulsatility and hepatic GH receptor characteristics were compared in experimental lines of meat-type chickens selected for high (HF) or low (LF) abdominal fat content. 2. Mean GH concentration, baseline and amplitude of pulses were slightly, but not significantly, greater in LF chickens. Length and frequency of pulses were similar. 3. LF chickens exhibited higher plasma triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations. This difference between genotypes disappeared when the diet was supplemented with 1 mg/kg T3. 4. Specific binding of GH to liver membranes was higher for the fat line but was depressed by T3 supplementation to the same level in both lines. No difference was observed between lines for affinity constants. 5. It is concluded that direct selection for leanness has a less pronounced, if any, effect on GH pulsatility as compared with selection for food conversion efficiency; therefore, different physiological mechanisms are triggered to achieve leanness.

Jojoba meal (Simmondsia chinensis) in the diet of broiler breeder pullets: physiological and endocrinological effects

The present studies evaluated the ability of jojoba meal (JO) to inhibit feed intake of broiler breeder pullets to limit body weight gain as recommended by the breeder company. A first experiment, using graded levels of JO supplementation (0 to 12%), was conducted to establish appropriate JO supplementation. Adequate reduction of growth rate was obtained with 4% JO supplementation. However, notwithstanding their similar growth rate, 4% JO chickens consumed considerably more feed compared with feed-restricted chickens. The dose-dependent impairment of feed intake with increasing levels of JO supplementation was also associated with increased plasma growth hormone and thyroxine and with decreased plasma insulin-like growth factor-I and triiodothyronine concentrations compared with 0% JO chickens. A second experiment included a pair-fed group. Notwithstanding their similar feed intake, 4% JO chickens gained significantly less body weight compared with their pair-fed counterparts. The 4% JO chickens also had a longer feed transit time per kilogram body weight. Again, circulating levels of the somatotrophic and thyrotrophic hormones were altered according to the dietary treatment. From all these observations, it was concluded that the growth retardation caused by JO supplementation was provoked by an inhibition of appetite linked with the simmondsin content of JO as well as by other antinutritional compounds affecting digestibility.

Study of the hepatic growth hormone (GH) receptor at different ages in chickens selected for a good feed conversion (FC) and a fast weight gain (GL)

The influence of genetic selection for improved feed conversion (FC) and fast growth (GL) in broiler chickens, on the hepatic growth hormone receptor was investigated as a function of age. Selection for improved feed conversion resulted in lean chickens, whereas selection for fast growth resulted in fat chickens. Growth hormone receptor characteristics were determined in liver microsomal fractions and plasma GH concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Embryos from the FC line showed higher specific GH binding than GL embryos at day 16 of embryonic development only (P < 0.05). On day 18 of embryonic development, the FC line had slightly more GH receptors than the GL line (P < 0.05), whereas simultaneous plasma GH concentrations were greater in the GL line. The effect of selection on hepatic growth hormone binding was greatest in 4 week old growing chicks at which age the GL line showed a 2- to 3-fold higher % of specific binding than the FC line (P < 0.001). The difference at this stage is probably due to down regulation of the receptor by the significantly higher GH concentrations in the FC line. The adult GL chickens also showed higher specific binding than FC, but the difference was less pronounced than in the growing stage (P < 0.05). This was due to a higher number of GH receptors, while receptor affinity was unchanged. Because no line difference in plasma GH concentrations was found in adult hens, other unknown mechanisms probably play a role in determining differences in GH receptor binding between these selected lines at older ages.

Endogenous growth hormone controls high plasma levels of 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) in growing chickens by decreasing the T3-degrading type III deiodinase activity

The influence of endogenous GH levels on peripheral monodeiodination activity has been investigated in growing chickens at the age of 4 weeks, when they normally show no T3 increase after GH injection. Injection of anti-GH serum decreased plasma T3 and increased plasma T4. Three d and 1 week after hypophysectomy, plasma T3 was also markedly decreased, while T4 was only slightly affected, hepatic 5'D-I activity showed a transient decrease, but 5D-III activity was highly increased, as were the number of hepatic GH receptor sites. Injection of GH in hypophysectomized chickens decreased 5D-III activity and increased plasma T3. GH receptor-deficient dwarf chickens had decreased plasma T3 and increased plasma T4 and hepatic 5'D-I and 5D-III activities compared to their normally-growing siblings. GH administration could only affect T3 and 5D-III in the non-dwarf siblings, which showed higher basal 5D-III activity compared to the non-responsive age-matched chickens of the Hisex strain used in the other experiments. It can be concluded that endogenous GH is an important factor in the control of plasma T3 levels in growing chickens due to its influence on the activity of the T3-degrading type III deiodinase. The effectiveness of exogenous GH administration to acutely increase plasma T3 probably depends on the balance between the injected dose and the endogenous GH concentration, the hepatic GH receptor availability and the hepatic type III deiodinase level.