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Lourenço da Silva MI, Ulans A, Jacobs L. Pharmacological validation of an attention bias test for conventional broiler chickens. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297715. [PMID: 38593170 PMCID: PMC11003672 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Fear and anxiety are considered concerns for animal welfare as they are associated with negative affective states. This study aimed to pharmacologically validate an attention bias test (ABT) for broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) as a cognitive bias test to determine anxiety. Two-hundred-and-four male Ross 708 broiler chickens were arbitrarily allocated to either the anxiogenic or control treatment at 25 days of age (n = 102/treatment). Birds from the anxiogenic group were administered with 2.5 mg of β-CCM (β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid-N-methylamide [FG 7142]) per kg of body weight through an intraperitoneal injection (0.1 ml/100 g of body weight). Birds from the control group were administered with 9 mg of a saline solution per kg of body weight. During ABT, birds were tested in groups of three (n = 34 groups of three birds/treatment) with commercial feed and mealworms as positive stimuli and a conspecific alarm call as a negative stimulus. Control birds were 45 s faster to begin feeding than anxiogenic birds. Birds from the control group vocalized 40 s later and stepped 57 s later than birds from the anxiogenic group. The occurrence of vigilance behaviors did not differ between treatments. This study was successful in pharmacologically validating an attention bias test for fast-growing broiler chickens, testing three birds simultaneously. Our findings showed that latencies to begin feeding, first vocalization, and first step were valid measures to quantify anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marconi Italo Lourenço da Silva
- Department of Animal Production and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Alexandra Ulans
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States of America
| | - Leonie Jacobs
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States of America
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2
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Velasco VV, Ochiai T, Tsudzuki M, Goto N, Ishikawa A. Quantitative trait loci mapping of innate fear behavior in day-old F2 chickens of Japanese Oh-Shamo and White Leghorn breeds using restriction site-associated DNA sequencing. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103228. [PMID: 37989001 PMCID: PMC10667749 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the genetic mechanisms that underlie innate fear behavior is essential for improving the management and performance of the poultry industry. This study aimed to map QTL associated with innate fear responses in open field (OF) and tonic immobility (TI) tests, using an F2 chicken intercross population between 2 behaviorally distinct breeds: the aggressive Japanese Oh-Shamo (OSM) and the docile White Leghorn T-line (WL-T). Genome-wide QTL analysis for the OF and TI traits was conducted using 2,109 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers obtained through restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq). While several suggestive QTL were identified for TI and OF traits at genome-wide 20% significance threshold levels, the analysis revealed 2 significant QTL for 2 OF traits (total distance and maximum speed) at genome-wide 5% significance threshold levels. These significant QTL were located between 12.34 and 30.49 megabase (Mb) on chromosome 1 and between 40.02 and 63.38 Mb on chromosome 2, explaining 6.75 to 7.40% of the total variances. These findings provide valuable insights for the poultry industry, particularly in refining chicken management strategies and informing targeted breeding efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Takayuki Ochiai
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Masaoki Tsudzuki
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan
| | - Naoki Goto
- Hendrix Genetics BU Layers, Boxmeer 5831 CK, The Netherlands
| | - Akira Ishikawa
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.
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3
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Farghly M, Alhotan R, Mahrose K, Attia Y, Abdelfattah M, Abougabal M, Taboosha M, Ghonime M, Shaaban M, Losacco C, Tufarelli V. Intermittent light program impacts on reproductive performance, health and welfare of breeding hens. Arch Anim Breed 2023; 66:315-324. [PMID: 38111385 PMCID: PMC10726021 DOI: 10.5194/aab-66-315-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The lighting regime significantly impacts poultry production, reproductive performance, health and welfare. This study aimed to test the effect of the intermittent light (IL) regime on reproductive organs and hormones, semen quality, and behavioral performance. Thus, 270 Rhode Island Red hens aged 20 weeks were distributed among three groups of six replicates and 15 birds each, housed in floor pens. The first group was used as a control (C) and was exposed to constant light for 16 h d- 1 , while birds in other groups were exposed to IL for 20 min h- 1 (T20) and 40 min h- 1 (T40) during the 16 h light period. The outcomes were that follicle number was higher for T20 compared to T40 but not the controls, while T40 is different from T20 but not the controls. The same is true for testosterone. The sperm concentration is lower for T40 compared to the controls, with no difference between T20 and the controls. Body temperature was not different among groups. Conversely, differences were not noticed for leg alterations; plumage conditions; and relative ovary, oviduct, and/or testes weight and hatchability. Thus, the IL T20 program should be further investigated as a lighting regimen for managing Rhode Island Red laying hens for stimulating follicle number and testosterone without negatively impacting the physiological response and health traits. From a practical point of view, the IL schedule of 20 min h- 1 during 20-36 weeks of age can be economically viable due to saving 66 % of the light cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed F. A. Farghly
- Poultry Production Department, Agriculture College, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Rashed A. Alhotan
- Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid M. Mahrose
- Animal and Poultry Production Department, Faculty of Technology and Development, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Youssef A. Attia
- Animal and Poultry Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damanhour University, Damanhour 22516, Egypt
| | - Mostafa Abdelfattah
- Poultry Production Department, Agriculture College, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Abougabal
- Animal Production Department, Agriculture College, Al-Azher University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mossad Taboosha
- Animal Production Department, Agriculture College, Al-Azher University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Ghonime
- Animal and Poultry Production Department, Agriculture and Natural Resources College, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Shaaban
- Poultry Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, New Valley University, New Valley, Egypt
| | - Caterina Losacco
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Jonian Area, Section of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Tufarelli
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Jonian Area, Section of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
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Meyer MM, Johnson AK, Bobeck EA. Increased duration of laser environmental enrichment increased broiler physical activity and pen-wide movement without altering tibia measurements. Poult Sci 2023; 102:102704. [PMID: 37141811 PMCID: PMC10176259 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Inactivity and leg disorders negatively impact broiler welfare. Enrichment designed to increase barn complexity may encourage physical exercise. The study aim was to implement a second-generation laser enrichment device, previously shown to increase broiler activity, for extended periods of time and to measure behavior and tibia quality. A total of 1,360 Ross 708 broilers in 40 pens of 34 were assigned to laser enrichment or control (no laser enrichment) for 49 d. Seventy focal birds were randomly selected on d 0 for individual behavior analysis. Laser-enriched birds were exposed to 6-min laser periods 4 times daily. A 3-min novel object test was performed on all pens and tonic immobility was induced on 1 bird/pen on wk 1 and 6. Focal bird time budget and walking distance and pen-wide laser-following behavior and movement were obtained during laser periods d 0 to 8 and 1 d/wk through wk 7. Right tibias were collected from focal birds on d 49 for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and bone breaking analysis. Time spent active during laser periods was increased on d 3, 6, and 8 and wk 2 to 3 in laser-enriched vs. control focal birds (P = 0.04). Time at the feeder was increased in laser-enriched focal birds on d 0, 3 to 4, and 8 and wk 2 and 4 (P < 0.01). Distance walked during laser periods was increased in laser-enriched focal birds on d 1, 3 to 5, 8, and wk 2 compared to the control (P < 0.01). Pen-wide movement was increased on d 0, 2, 4 to 8, and wk 1 to 5 and 7 in laser-enriched vs. control birds (P < 0.01). More laser-enriched broilers were within 25 cm of the novel object at 1 min 30 s than the control (P = 0.03), and latency to approach the novel object was reduced in both treatments at wk 6 compared to wk 1 (P < 0.01). Tonic immobility duration was increased by 123 s on wk 6 compared to wk 1, regardless of treatment (P < 0.01). Daily laser enrichment for extended periods increased bird activity without inducing fearfulness or altering tibia measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Meyer
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - A K Johnson
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - E A Bobeck
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
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Tiemann I, Becker S, Fournier J, Damiran D, Büscher W, Hillemacher S. Differences among domestic chicken breeds in tonic immobility responses as a measure of fearfulness. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14703. [PMID: 37033722 PMCID: PMC10081456 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background One priority for animal welfare is for animals to experience less fear, especially during human contact. For domestic animals, breeds that are less fearful may provide genetic resources to develop strains with improved welfare due to lower susceptibility to fear. Genetic predispositions inherited in these breeds might reflect the large diversity of chicken breeds. The goal of the present study was to systematically test a diverse group of chicken breeds to search for breeds that experience less fear. Methods Nineteen chicken breeds from commercial hybrid lines, native layer-type, meat-type and dual-purpose breeds, ornamental breeds as well as bantam breeds were tested in a standardized tonic immobility (TI) test. Chickens were manually restrained on their back, and the time to first head movement and first leg movement, the duration of TI, as well as the number of attempts needed to induce TI were measured. Results The TI response differed among chicken breeds (p ≤ 0.001) for naïve, mature hens. The median number of attempts required to induce TI ranged from 1 to 2 and did not differ significantly among breeds. Median durations were much more variable, with Lohmann Brown showing shortest durations (6 s, 12 s, 58 s for time to first head movement, first leg movement and total duration of TI, respectively). In contrast, medians reached the maximum of 600 s for all three measures in German Creepers. Repeated tests on the same individuals did not affect attempts needed to induce TI nor TI durations. Breeds clustered into two main groups, with layer-type native breeds and ornamental breeds having longer TI durations, and bantam, dual-purpose and meat-type native breeds having shorter TI durations. Conclusions Our findings provide evidence for substantial variation of fearfulness among breeds. This variation could be linked to the intended use during the breed's specific history. Knowledge and quantitative measurement of these behavioural responses provide the opportunity to improve welfare through selection and future breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Tiemann
- Institute of Agricultural Engineering, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Senta Becker
- Institute of Agricultural Engineering, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jocelyn Fournier
- Department of Animal & Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Daalkhaijav Damiran
- Department of Animal & Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Wolfgang Büscher
- Institute of Agricultural Engineering, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sonja Hillemacher
- Institute of Agricultural Engineering, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Ochiai T, Sakaguchi M, Kawakami SI, Ishikawa A. Identification of candidate genes responsible for innate fear behavior in the chicken. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 13:6861905. [PMID: 36454218 PMCID: PMC9911055 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Identifying the genes responsible for quantitative traits remains a major challenge. We previously found a major QTL on chromosome 4 affecting several innate fear behavioral traits obtained by an open-field test in an F2 population between White Leghorn and Nagoya breeds of chickens (Gallus gallus). Here, an integrated approach of transcriptome, haplotype frequency, and association analyses was used to identify candidate genes for the QTL in phenotypically extreme individuals selected from the same segregating F2 population as that used in the initial QTL analysis. QTL mapping for the first principal component, which summarizes the variances of all affected behavioral traits in the F2 population, revealed the behavioral QTL located at 14-35 Mb on chromosome 4 with 333 genes. After RNA-seq analysis using two pooled RNAs from extreme F2 individuals, real-time qPCR analysis in the two parental breeds and their F1 individuals greatly reduced the number of candidate genes in the QTL interval from 333 to 16 genes. Haplotype frequency analysis in the two extreme F2 groups further reduced the number of candidate genes from 16 to 11. After comparing gene expression in the two extreme groups, a conditional correlation analysis of diplotypes between gene expression and phenotype of extreme individuals revealed that NPY5R and LOC101749214 genes were strong candidate genes for innate fear behavior. This study illustrates how the integrated approach can identify candidate genes more rapidly than fine mapping of the initial QTL interval and provides new information for studying the genetic basis of innate fear behavior in chickens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Ochiai
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Marina Sakaguchi
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Kawakami
- Laboratory of Animal Behavior and Physiology, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan
| | - Akira Ishikawa
- Corresponding author: Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.
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Bakovic V, Höglund A, Martin Cerezo ML, Henriksen R, Wright D. Genomic and gene expression associations to morphology of a sexual ornament in the chicken. G3 GENES|GENOMES|GENETICS 2022; 12:6633936. [PMID: 35801935 PMCID: PMC9434260 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
How sexual selection affects the genome ultimately relies on the strength and type of selection, and the genetic architecture of the involved traits. While associating genotype with phenotype often utilizes standard trait morphology, trait representations in morphospace using geometric morphometric approaches receive less focus in this regard. Here, we identify genetic associations to a sexual ornament, the comb, in the chicken system (Gallus gallus). Our approach combined genome-wide genotype and gene expression data (>30k genes) with different aspects of comb morphology in an advanced intercross line (F8) generated by crossing a wild-type Red Junglefowl with a domestic breed of chicken (White Leghorn). In total, 10 quantitative trait loci were found associated to various aspects of comb shape and size, while 1,184 expression QTL were found associated to gene expression patterns, among which 98 had overlapping confidence intervals with those of quantitative trait loci. Our results highlight both known genomic regions confirming previous records of a large effect quantitative trait loci associated to comb size, and novel quantitative trait loci associated to comb shape. Genes were considered candidates affecting comb morphology if they were found within both confidence intervals of the underlying quantitative trait loci and eQTL. Overlaps between quantitative trait loci and genome-wide selective sweeps identified in a previous study revealed that only loci associated to comb size may be experiencing on-going selection under domestication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vid Bakovic
- IFM Biology, University of Linköping , Linköping 581 83, Sweden
| | - Andrey Höglund
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University , Stockholm 106 91, Sweden
| | | | - Rie Henriksen
- IFM Biology, University of Linköping , Linköping 581 83, Sweden
| | - Dominic Wright
- IFM Biology, University of Linköping , Linköping 581 83, Sweden
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Campbell AM, Johnson AM, Persia ME, Jacobs L. Effects of Housing System on Anxiety, Chronic Stress, Fear, and Immune Function in Bovan Brown Laying Hens. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:1803. [PMID: 35883350 PMCID: PMC9311790 DOI: 10.3390/ani12141803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The scientific community needs objective measures to appropriately assess animal welfare. The study objective was to assess the impact of housing system on novel physiological and behavioral measurements of animal welfare for laying hens, including secretory and plasma Immunoglobulin (IgA; immune function), feather corticosterone (chronic stress), and attention bias testing (ABT; anxiety), in addition to the well-validated tonic immobility test (TI; fearfulness). To test this, 184 Bovan brown hens were housed in 28 conventional cages (3 birds/cage) and 4 enriched pens (25 birds/pen). Feces, blood, and feathers were collected 4 times between week 22 and 43 to quantify secretory and plasma IgA and feather corticosterone concentrations. TI tests and ABT were performed once. Hens that were from cages tended to show longer TI, had increased feather corticosterone, and decreased secretory IgA at 22 weeks of age. The caged hens fed quicker, and more hens fed during the ABT compared to the penned hens. Hens that were in conventional cages showed somewhat poorer welfare outcomes than the hens in enriched pens, as indicated by increased chronic stress, decreased immune function at 22 weeks of age but no other ages, somewhat increased fear, but reduced anxiety. Overall, these novel markers show some appropriate contrast between housing treatments and may be useful in an animal welfare assessment context for laying hens. More research is needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Leonie Jacobs
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (A.M.C.); (A.M.J.); (M.E.P.)
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Carli G, Farabollini F. Environmental, ecological and methodological factors of Tonic Immobility (TI) modulation. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2022; 271:101-132. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2022.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Kohno S, Ogawa S, Shimmura T, Sato K, Tokutake Y. Myeloperoxidase expression in diencephalon is potentially associated with fear‐related behavior in chicks of laying hen. Anim Sci J 2022; 93:e13779. [PMID: 36345734 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Preventing feather pecking (FP) in adult laying hens is important for the welfare of intensively poultry farming. Fear-related behavior in growing female layer chicks may predict FP in adult hens. In this study, in two representative laying breeds (White Leghorn [WL] and Rhode Island Red [RIR]) that have different FP frequencies, we identified a candidate gene associated with fear-related behavior in chicks and FP in adult hens. In the tonic immobility test and open-field test, the behavioral activity was lower in WL chicks than in RIR chicks (P < 0.01), suggesting that WL chicks were more fearful than RIR chicks. Based on previous studies, 51 genes that have been found to be differentially expressed in the brain between high- and low-FP populations were chosen, and their expression levels were screened in the chick diencephalon. This analysis revealed that myeloperoxidase (MPO) gene expression level was higher in WL chicks than that in RIR chicks (P < 0.05). Furthermore, STRING analysis predicted the gene network including MPO and MPO-related genes and revealed the association of these genes with fear-related behavior. These results suggest that MPO is potentially associated with fear-related behavior in growing female layer chicks and FP in adult hens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzuka Kohno
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science Tohoku University Sendai Miyagi Japan
| | - Shinichiro Ogawa
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science Tohoku University Sendai Miyagi Japan
- Division of Meat Animal and Poultry Research Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, NARO Tsukuba Ibaraki Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Shimmura
- Department of Biological Production Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Tokyo Japan
| | - Kan Sato
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science Tohoku University Sendai Miyagi Japan
| | - Yukako Tokutake
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science Tohoku University Sendai Miyagi Japan
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Anderson MG, Campbell AM, Crump A, Arnott G, Newberry RC, Jacobs L. Effect of Environmental Complexity and Stocking Density on Fear and Anxiety in Broiler Chickens. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2383. [PMID: 34438839 PMCID: PMC8388751 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Barren housing and high stocking densities may contribute to negative affective states in broiler chickens, reducing their welfare. We investigated the effects of environmental complexity and stocking density on broilers' attention bias (measure of anxiety) and tonic immobility (measure of fear). In Experiment 1, individual birds were tested for attention bias (n = 60) and in Experiment 2, groups of three birds were tested (n = 144). Tonic immobility testing was performed on days 12 and 26 (n = 36) in Experiment 1, and on day 19 (n = 72) in Experiment 2. In Experiment 1, no differences were observed in the attention bias test. In Experiment 2, birds from high-complexity pens began feeding faster and more birds resumed feeding than from low-complexity pens following playback of an alarm call, suggesting that birds housed in the complex environment were less anxious. Furthermore, birds housed in high-density or high-complexity pens had shorter tonic immobility durations on day 12 compared to day 26 in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, birds from high-density pens had shorter tonic immobility durations than birds housed in low-density pens, which is contrary to expectations. Our results suggest that birds at 3 weeks of age were less fearful under high stocking density conditions than low density conditions. In addition, results indicated that the complex environment improved welfare of broilers through reduced anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallory G. Anderson
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (M.G.A.); (A.M.C.)
| | - Andrew M. Campbell
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (M.G.A.); (A.M.C.)
| | - Andrew Crump
- Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science, London School of Economics and Political Science, London WC2A 2AE, UK;
| | - Gareth Arnott
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK;
| | - Ruth C. Newberry
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432 Ås, Norway;
| | - Leonie Jacobs
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (M.G.A.); (A.M.C.)
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Wachholz GE, Rengel BD, Vargesson N, Fraga LR. From the Farm to the Lab: How Chicken Embryos Contribute to the Field of Teratology. Front Genet 2021; 12:666726. [PMID: 34367238 PMCID: PMC8339958 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.666726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital anomalies and its causes, particularly, by external factors are the aim of the field called teratology. The external factors studied by teratology are known as teratogens and can be biological or environmental factors for example, chemicals, medications, recreational drugs, environmental pollutants, physical agents (e.g., X-rays and maternal hyperthermia) and maternal metabolic conditions. Proving the teratogenicity of a factor is a difficult task requiring epidemiology studies as well as experimental teratology evidence from the use of animal models, one of which is the chicken embryo. This model in particular has the advantage of being able to follow development live and in vivo, with rapid development hatching around 21 days, is cheap and easy to manipulate and to observe development. All this allows the chicken embryo to be used in drug screening studies, teratogenic evaluation and studies of mechanisms of teratogenicity. The chicken embryo shares morphological, biochemical and genetic similarities with humans as well as mammalian species, making them ideal to ascertain the actions of teratogens, as well as screen drugs to test for their safety. Pre-clinical trials for new drugs are carried out in rodents and rabbits, however, chicken embryos have been used to screen new compounds or analogs of thalidomide as well as to investigate how some drugs can lead to congenital malformations. Indeed, the chicken embryo has proved valuable in understanding how many congenital anomalies, seen in humans, arise following teratogen exposure. The aim of this review is to highlight the role of the chicken embryo as an experimental model for studies in teratology, exploring its use in drug screening studies, phenotypic evaluation and studies of teratogenic mechanisms of action. Here, we discuss many known teratogens, that have been evaluated using the chicken embryo model including some medicines, such as, thalidomide, valproic acid; recreational drugs including alcohol; environmental influences, such as viruses, specifically ZIKV, which is a newly discovered human teratogen. In addition, we discuss how the chicken embryo has provided insight on the mechanisms of teratogenesis of many compounds and also how this impact on drug safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Elis Wachholz
- Postgraduate Program of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Experimental Research Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Teratogen Information Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Bruna Duarte Rengel
- Postgraduate Program of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Experimental Research Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Teratogen Information Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Neil Vargesson
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Lucas Rosa Fraga
- Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Experimental Research Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Teratogen Information Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Morphological Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Postgraduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Höglund A, Henriksen R, Fogelholm J, Churcher AM, Guerrero-Bosagna CM, Martinez-Barrio A, Johnsson M, Jensen P, Wright D. The methylation landscape and its role in domestication and gene regulation in the chicken. Nat Ecol Evol 2020; 4:1713-1724. [PMID: 32958860 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-020-01310-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Domestication is one of the strongest examples of artificial selection and has produced some of the most extreme within-species phenotypic variation known. In the case of the chicken, it has been hypothesized that DNA methylation may play a mechanistic role in the domestication response. By inter-crossing wild-derived red junglefowl with domestic chickens, we mapped quantitative trait loci for hypothalamic methylation (methQTL), gene expression (eQTL) and behaviour. We find large, stable methylation differences, with 6,179 cis and 2,973 trans methQTL identified. Over 46% of the trans effects were genotypically controlled by five loci, mainly associated with increased methylation in the junglefowl genotype. In a third of eQTL, we find that there is a correlation between gene expression and methylation, while statistical causality analysis reveals multiple instances where methylation is driving gene expression, as well as the reverse. We also show that methylation is correlated with some aspects of behavioural variation in the inter-cross. In conclusion, our data suggest a role for methylation in the regulation of gene expression underlying the domesticated phenotype of the chicken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey Höglund
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Rie Henriksen
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Jesper Fogelholm
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | | | - Carlos M Guerrero-Bosagna
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Evolutionary Biology Centrum, Dept of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Martin Johnsson
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Per Jensen
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Dominic Wright
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
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Henriksen R, Höglund A, Fogelholm J, Abbey-Lee R, Johnsson M, Dingemanse NJ, Wright D. Intra-Individual Behavioural Variability: A Trait under Genetic Control. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218069. [PMID: 33138119 PMCID: PMC7663371 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
When individuals are measured more than once in the same context they do not behave in exactly the same way each time. The degree of predictability differs between individuals, with some individuals showing low levels of variation around their behavioural mean while others show high levels of variation. This intra-individual variability in behaviour has received much less attention than between-individual variability in behaviour, and very little is known about the underlying mechanisms that affect this potentially large but understudied component of behavioural variation. In this study, we combine standardized behavioural tests in a chicken intercross to estimate intra-individual behavioural variability with a large-scale genomics analysis to identify genes affecting intra-individual behavioural variability in an avian population. We used a variety of different anxiety-related behavioural phenotypes for this purpose. Our study shows that intra-individual variability in behaviour has a direct genetic basis that is largely unique compared to the genetic architecture for the standard behavioural measures they are based on (at least in the detected quantitative trait locus). We identify six suggestive candidate genes that may underpin differences in intra-individual behavioural variability, with several of these candidates having previously been linked to behaviour and mental health. These findings demonstrate that intra-individual variability in behaviour appears to be a heritable trait in and of itself on which evolution can act.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rie Henriksen
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, IFM Biology, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden; (A.H.); (R.A.-L.); (M.J.)
- Correspondence: (R.H.); (D.W.)
| | - Andrey Höglund
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, IFM Biology, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden; (A.H.); (R.A.-L.); (M.J.)
| | - Jesper Fogelholm
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, IFM Biology, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden; (A.H.); (R.A.-L.); (M.J.)
| | - Robin Abbey-Lee
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, IFM Biology, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden; (A.H.); (R.A.-L.); (M.J.)
| | - Martin Johnsson
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, IFM Biology, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden; (A.H.); (R.A.-L.); (M.J.)
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Niels J. Dingemanse
- Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich (LMU), 82152 Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany;
| | - Dominic Wright
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, IFM Biology, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden; (A.H.); (R.A.-L.); (M.J.)
- Correspondence: (R.H.); (D.W.)
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Ishikawa A, Sakaguchi M, Nagano AJ, Suzuki S. Genetic Architecture of Innate Fear Behavior in Chickens. Behav Genet 2020; 50:411-422. [PMID: 32770288 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-020-10012-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The genetic architecture of innate fear behavior in chickens is poorly understood. Here, we performed quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of innate responses to tonic immobility (TI) and open field (OF) fears in 242 newly hatched chicks of an F2 population between the native Japanese Nagoya breed and the White Leghorn breed using 881 single nucleotide polymorphism markers obtained by restriction site-associated DNA sequencing. At genome-wide 5% significance levels, four QTL for TI traits were revealed on chromosomes 1-3 and 24. Two of these loci had sex-specific effects on the traits. For OF traits, three QTL were revealed on chromosomes 2, 4 and 7. The TI and OF QTL identified showed no overlaps in genomic regions and different modes of inheritance. The three TI QTL and one OF QTL exerted antagonistic effects on the traits. The results demonstrated that context-dependent QTL underlie the variations in innate TI and OF behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Ishikawa
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan.
| | - Marina Sakaguchi
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan
| | - Atsushi J Nagano
- Faculty of Agriculture, Ryukoku University, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2194, Japan
| | - Sae Suzuki
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan
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The genetic regulation of size variation in the transcriptome of the cerebrum in the chicken and its role in domestication and brain size evolution. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:518. [PMID: 32727510 PMCID: PMC7392834 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-06908-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Large difference in cerebrum size exist between avian species and populations of the same species and is believed to reflect differences in processing power, i.e. in the speed and efficiency of processing information in this brain region. During domestication chickens developed a larger cerebrum compared to their wild progenitor, the Red jungle fowl. The underlying mechanisms that control cerebrum size and the extent to which genetic regulation is similar across brain regions is not well understood. In this study, we combine measurement of cerebrum size with genome-wide genetical genomics analysis to identify the genetic architecture of the cerebrum, as well as compare the regulation of gene expression in this brain region with gene expression in other regions of the brain (the hypothalamus) and somatic tissue (liver). Results We identify one candidate gene that putatively regulates cerebrum size (MTF2) as well as a large number of eQTL that regulate the transcriptome in cerebrum tissue, with the majority of these eQTL being trans-acting. The overall regulation of gene expression variation in the cerebrum was markedly different to the hypothalamus, with relatively few eQTL in common. In comparison, the cerebrum tissue shared more eQTL with a distant tissue (liver) than with a neighboring tissue (hypothalamus). Conclusion The candidate gene for cerebrum size (MTF2) has previously been linked to brain development making it a good candidate for further investigation as a regulator of inter-population variation in cerebrum size. The lack of shared eQTL between the two brain regions implies that genetic regulation of gene expression appears to be relatively independent between the two brain regions and suggest that coevolution between these two brain regions might be more functionally driven than developmental. These findings have relevance for current brain size evolution theories.
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Tonic Immobility and Open Field Responses in Nagoya, White Leghorn, and White Plymouth Rock Chicks. J Poult Sci 2020; 57:183-191. [PMID: 32733151 PMCID: PMC7387945 DOI: 10.2141/jpsa.0190085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate fear responses to tonic immobility (TI) and open field (OF) were evaluated in newly hatched chicks of three breeds with distinct breed origin and genetic relationships. The breeds studied were Nagoya (NAG), a native Japanese breed; White Leghorn (WL), a representative of layers; and White Plymouth Rock (WPR), a parental breed of common broilers. The TI test revealed that WL was the most sensitive to extensive fear evoked by the TI test among the three breeds, followed in order by WPR, and NAG. In contrast, the OF test revealed that NAG was the most sensitive to mild fear evoked by the OF test, followed in order by WPR, and WL. The different fear responses between NAG and WL were supported by minimal phenotypic correlations between TI and OF traits in each breed. These results demonstrated that NAG and WL breeds exhibit extreme and opposite responses to TI and OF fears.
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