Effects of post hatch delayed-feeding stress on enteric nervous activity and intestinal nutrient transport in broiler chickens
Date
2022
Authors
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Early life stress alters gastrointestinal (GI) development leading to functional disorders (such as leaky gut, malnutrition, etc.). This leads to negative consequences later in life. The enteric nervous system (ENS) that coordinates many functions of the intestine is sensitive to stress and has been overlooked in agricultural animal’s health. Post-hatch delayed feeding in the broiler industry is a common stressor which impairs the intestinal development and health of birds. This project serves to evaluate the effects of post-hatch delayed feeding stress on enteric nervous activity, and intestinal nutrient transport in broiler chickens. Ross 308 birds were incubated, hatched, and immediately allotted into either a normal feeding (NF) or delayed feeding (DF) group. DF birds did not receive feed for 72 hours post-hatch, while NF birds had immediate access to feed. Both groups had ad libitum access to water throughout the entire trial and following the 72 hours, DF birds and NF birds had ad libitum access to the same commercial diet until day 42 of age. At day 42 of age, a subset of each group experienced a 24-hour period of feed restriction to serve as a secondary stress event. Growth performance parameters were collected weekly throughout the 6 week grow out period. At day 3, 14, and 42 birds were euthanized, and intestinal samples were taken. Intestinal function was evaluated using the Ussing Chambers. ☐ It was found that experiencing early life stress triggered immediate and long lasting changes in the intestinal functions and ENS activities of broiler chickens. Growth performance was reduced after the initial 72 hour feed delay, but by day 42 the DF birds are able to recover. The DF group had a lower FCR which suggests that there may be a mechanism such as increased nutrient absorption to allow for increased feed efficiency and potential compensatory growth. ☐ These changes can predispose the birds to a higher risk of later life GI infectious diseases, especially under suboptimal growth conditions with secondary stress. The stressed birds were more adaptive to a secondary stress in terms of less ENS neural mediated responses and enhanced nutrient transport functions. An enhanced electrogenic nutrient transport function in the stressed birds could be the mechanism for compensatory growth seen in this group. Understanding the link between ENS activities and intestinal functions in stressed animals could give insight into developing novel targets that lead to the improvement of GI health and animal production.
Description
Keywords
Chickens, Delayed feeding, Broiler birds