Endothermic heart rate response in broiler and White Leghorn chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus) during the first two days of post-hatch life

Ontogeny of skeletal and cardiac muscle mitochondria oxygen fluxes in two breeds of chicken

From its earliest days of domestication, the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) has been selectively bred for specific traits. Decades of genetic selection have resulted in significant dissimilarities in metabolism and growth between breeds, in particular fast-growing broilers and highly productive layers. A chicken develops the capacity to elevate metabolism in response to decreases in ambient temperature upon hatching, including well-developed methods of regulating thermogenesis. However, a differential timing between incipient endothermic capacities of broiler and layer strains exists. Although both broiler and layer chicks show the hallmark rapid attainment of endothermic capacity of precocial birds, endothermic capacity of broilers matures faster than that of layers. Here we characterized changes in morphology and mitochondria physiology during the developmental transition as the animals become endothermic. Changes in body mass occurred at a faster rate in broilers, with hatching embryos showing significant increases over embryonic body mass, while layers did not exhibit significant differences in mass until after hatch. Heart and liver both exhibited rapid growth upon hatching that occurred with little change in body mass in both breeds. Skeletal and cardiac mitochondrial respiration capacity in broilers increased from the embryonic stage through hatching. Oxidative phosphorylation was more tightly coupled to ATP production in broilers than layer muscles during external pipping. By selecting for faster growth and higher meat yield, the physiological transition from ectothermy to endothermy was also affected: differences in whole-animal, tissue, and organelle responses are evident in these two divergent breeds of chicken.

Critical developmental windows for morphology and hematology revealed by intermittent and continuous hypoxic incubation in embryos of quail (Coturnix coturnix)

Hypoxia during embryonic growth in embryos is frequently a powerful determinant of development, but at least in avian embryos the effects appear to show considerable intra- and inter-specific variation. We hypothesized that some of this variation may arise from different protocols that may or may not result in exposure during the embryo’s critical window for hypoxic effects. To test this hypothesis, quail embryos (Coturnix coturnix) in the intact egg were exposed to hypoxia (~15% O₂) during “early” (Day 0 through Day 5, abbreviated as D0-D5), “middle” (D6-D10) or “late” (D11-D15) incubation or for their entire 16–18 day incubation (“continuous hypoxia”) to determine critical windows for viability and growth. Viability, body mass, beak and toe length, heart mass, and hematology (hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration) were measured on D5, D10, D15 and at hatching typically between D16 and D18 Viability rate was ~50–70% immediately following the exposure period in the early, middle and late hypoxic groups, but viability improved in the early and late groups once normoxia was restored. Middle hypoxia groups showed continuing low viability, suggesting a critical period from D6-D10 for embryo viability. The continuous hypoxia group experienced viability reaching <10% after D15. Hypoxia, especially during late and continuous hypoxia, also inhibited growth of body, beak and toe when measured at D15. Full recovery to normal body mass upon hatching occurred in all other groups except for continuous hypoxia. Contrary to previous avian studies, heart mass, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration were not altered by any hypoxic incubation pattern. Although hypoxia can inhibit embryo viability and organ growth during most incubation periods, the greatest effects result from continuous or middle incubation hypoxic exposure. Hypoxic inhibition of growth can subsequently be “repaired” by catch-up growth if a final period of normoxic development is available. Collectively, these data indicate a critical developmental window for hypoxia susceptibility during the mid-embryonic period of development.

Ventilation changes associated with hatching and maturation of an endothermic phenotype in the Pekin duck, Anas platyrhynchos domestica

Precocial birds begin embryonic life with an ectothermic metabolic phenotype and rapidly develop an endothermic phenotype after hatching. Switching to a high-energy, endothermic phenotype requires high-functioning respiratory and cardiovascular systems to deliver sufficient environmental oxygen to the tissues. We measured tidal volume (VT), breathing frequency (ƒ), minute ventilation (V̇e), and whole-animal oxygen consumption (V̇o2) in response to gradual cooling from 37.5°C (externally pipped paranates, EP) or 35°C (hatchlings) to 20°C along with response to hypercapnia during developmental transition from an ectothermic, EP paranate to endothermic hatchling. To examine potential eggshell constraints on EP ventilation, we repeated these experiments in artificially hatched early and late EP paranates. Hatchlings and artificially hatched late EP paranates were able to increase V̇o2significantly in response to cooling. EP paranates had high ƒ that decreased with cooling, coupled with an unchanging low VT and did not respond to hypercapnia. Hatchlings had significantly lower ƒ and higher VT and V̇e that increased with cooling and hypercapnia. In response to artificial hatching, all ventilation values quickly reached those of hatchlings and responded to hypercapnia. The timing of artificial hatching influenced the temperature response, with only artificially hatched late EP animals, exhibiting the hatchling ventilation response to cooling. We suggest one potential constraint on ventilatory responses of EP paranates is the rigid eggshell, limiting air sac expansion during inhalation and constraining VT Upon natural or artificial hatching, the VT limitation is removed and the animal is able to increase VT, V̇e, and thus V̇o2, and exhibit an endothermic phenotype.

The effects of acute cold exposure on morphology and gene expression in the heart of neonatal chicks

Cold exposure induces an increase in blood flow and blood pressure, and long-term exposure to cold causes cardiac hypertrophy. Neonatal chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus) are highly sensitive to cold exposure, because their capacity for thermogenesis is immature until 1 week after hatching. Hence, we hypothesized that the heart of chicks at around 1 week of age acutely responds to cold environment. To investigate the effect of acute (24 h) and long-term (2 weeks) cold on the heart of chicks, 7-day-old chicks were exposed to cold temperature (4 °C) or kept warm (30 °C). Chicks exposed to the cold showed cardiac hypertrophy with marked left ventricular (LV) chamber dilation and wall thickening. On the other hand, long-term cold exposure (2 weeks from 7-day-old) induced an increase in total ventricular mass, but not in LV morphological parameters. Then, we investigated the details of acute cardiac hypertrophy in chicks. Electron microscopy revealed that cardiomyocytes in the hypertrophied LV had enlarged mitochondria with less dense cristae. Although the mRNA expression of lipoprotein lipase in the LV of the cold-exposed chicks significantly increased, the mRNA expression of genes involved in fatty acid β-oxidation did not change in response to cold exposure. In addition, the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha, which enhances mitochondrial biogenesis and function under physiological cardiac hypertrophy, increased in LV of cold-exposed chicks. The study found that acute cold exposure to neonatal chicks induces LV hypertrophy. However, these results suggest that acute cold exposure to chicks might induce both adaptive and maladaptive responses of the LV.

Consequences of different growth rates in broiler breeder and layer hens on embryogenesis, metabolism and metabolic rate: A review

Intensive genetic selection of broiler breeders and layer hens for economically important production traits, which has been carried out for almost a century, resulted in considerable differences in the mechanisms of growth and development and, thus, in avian metabolism, both during embryogenesis and after hatching. Selection for meat production (broiler breeders) and eggs (layer hens) led to increased productivity but also brought about metabolic disorders. That intensive genetic selection of broiler breeders and layer hens is effective is seen, for example, in the differences in growth and development, metabolism of the yolk sac, hormones and lipids, gas exchange, and thermogenesis. Due to genetic proximity and different developmental mechanisms in broiler breeders and layer hens, avian embryos and chicks serve as excellent models for fundamental scientific research. This review paper discusses the consequences of different growth rates as a result of long-term genetic selection on embryonic development and metabolic rate of broilers and layers. The evidence presented herein indicates that it would be worth comparing these issues in a meta-analysis.

Epigenetics as a source of variation in comparative animal physiology – or – Lamarck is lookin' pretty good these days

Considerable variation is inherent both within and between comparative physiological data sets. Known sources for such variation include diet, gender, time of day and season of experiment, among many other factors, but a meta-analysis of physiological studies shows that surprisingly few studies report controlling for these factors. In fact, less than 3% of comparative physiological papers mention epigenetics. However, our understanding of epigenetic influences on physiological processes is growing rapidly, and it is highly likely that epigenetic phenomena are an additional ‘hidden’ source of variation, particularly in wild-caught specimens. Recent studies have shown epigenetic inheritance of commonly studied traits such as metabolic rate (water fleas Daphnia magna; emu, Dromaius novaellandiae), hypoxic tolerance, cardiac performance (zebrafish, Danio rerio), as well as numerous morphological effects. The ecological and evolutionary significance of such epigenetic inheritance is discussed in a comparative physiological context. Finally, against this context of epigenetic inheritance of phenotype, this essay also provides a number of caveats and warnings regarding the interpretation of transgenerational phenotype modification as a true epigenetic phenomenon. Parental effects, sperm storage, multiple paternity and direct gamete exposure can all be confounding factors. Epigenetic inheritance may best be studied in animal models that can be maintained in the laboratory over multiple generations, to yield parental stock that themselves are free of epigenetic effects from the historical experiences of their parents.

Egg yolk environment differentially influences physiological and morphological development of broiler and layer chicken embryos

Maternal effects are important in epigenetic determination of offspring phenotypes during all life stages. In the chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), transgenerational transfer of egg yolk factors may set the stage for morphological and physiological phenotypic differences observed among breeds. To investigate the effect of breed-specific yolk composition on embryonic broiler and layer chicken phenotypes, we employed an ex ovo, xenobiotic technique that allowed the transfer of broiler and layer chicken embryos from their natural yolks to novel yolk environments. Embryonic day two broiler embryos developing on broiler yolk culture medium (YCM) had significantly higher heart rates than layer embryos developing on layer YCM (176±7 beats min(-1) and 147±7 beats min(-1), respectively). Broiler embryos developing on layer YCM exhibited heart rates typical of layer embryos developing normally on layer YCM. However, layer embryo heart rates were not affected by development on broiler YCM. Unlike O(2) consumption, development rate and body mass of embryos were significantly affected by exposure to different yolk types, with both broiler and layer embryos displaying traits that reflected yolk source rather than embryo genotype. Analysis of hormone concentrations of broiler and layer egg yolks revealed that testosterone concentrations were higher in broiler yolk (4.63±2.02 pg mg(-1) vs 3.32±1.92 pg mg(-1)), whereas triiodothyronine concentrations were higher in layer yolk (1.05±0.18 pg mg(-1) vs 0.46±0.22 pg mg(-1)). Thus, a complex synergistic effect of breed-specific genotype and yolk environment exists early in chicken development, with yolk thyroid hormone and yolk testosterone as potential mediators of the physiological and morphological effects.

Embryonic control of heart rate: examining developmental patterns and temperature and oxygenation influences using embryonic avian models

Long-term measurements (days and weeks) of heart rate (HR) have elucidated infradian rhythms in chicken embryos and circadian rhythms in chicken hatchlings. However, such rhythms are lacking in emu embryos and only rarely observed in emu hatchlings. Parasympathetic control of HR (instantaneous heart rate (IHR) decelerations) occurs at ∼60% of incubation in both precocial and altricial avian embryos, with sympathetic control (IHR accelerations) becoming more prevalent close to hatching. A large increase in avian embryonic HR occurs during hatching (presumably an energetically expensive process, i.e. increased oxygen consumption M(O) ₂), beginning during pipping when a physical barrier to O(2) conductance is removed. Alterations in ambient O(2) have little effect on early embryonic HR, likely due to the low rate of M(O)₂ of early embryos and the fact that adequate O(2) delivery can occur via diffusion. As M(O)₂ increases in advanced embryos and circulatory convection becomes important for O(2) delivery, alterations in ambient O(2) have more profound effects on embryonic HR. Early embryos demonstrate a wide ambient temperature (T(a)) tolerance range compared with older embryos. In response to a rapid decrease in T(a), embryonic HR decreases (stroke volume and blood flow are preserved) in an exponential fashion to a steady state (from which it can potentially recover if re-warmed). A more severe decrease in T(a) results in complete cessation of HR; however, depending on developmental age, embryos are able to survive severe cold exposure and cessation of HR for up to 24h in some instances. The development of endothermy can be tracked by measuring baseline HR during T(a) changes. HR patterns change from thermo-conformity to thermoregulation (reverse to T(a) changes). Further, IHR low frequency oscillations mediated by the autonomic nervous system are augmented at low T(a)s in hatchlings. Transitions of baseline HR during endothermic development are unique to individual avian species (e.g. chickens, ducks and emu), reflecting differences in life history.

The effects of genetic line (broilers vs. layers) on embryo development

Recent decades were characterized by genetic selection of broiler and layer chickens for enhanced growth rate and meat yield or intensified egg production, respectively. It is to be expected that genetic selection for various traits would also influence embryo development and growth patterns that affect metabolism. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of broiler (Cobb and Ross) and layer (Lohmann) lines and parent flock age (31 and 38 wk) on embryonic development, heart rate, O2 consumption, and blood parameters. For each line, 2 incubation sets, from flocks aged 31 and 38 wk, with 500 eggs per set, were studied. Development patterns differed between layers and broilers: layers hatched 1 d later and their relative embryonic weight at hatch was significantly lower, probably because of their longer period until hatch, although yolk relative weights were similar. Oxygen consumption of layer embryos was lower than that of broilers, and plasma triiodothyronine concentration, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels were lower in layers than in broilers. However, layer embryo heart rate was higher from embryonic d (E) 15 onward. Differences were found between the Ross and Cobb lines in embryonic development. Oxygen consumption of Ross embryos was slightly higher than that of Cobb from E16 to E19. Heart rate of Ross embryos was significantly higher than that of Cobb. Furthermore, plasma triiodothyronine concentration of Ross embryos was significantly higher on E14, E16, and hatch. These differences suggest that the genetic selection for rapid growth rate in the 2 broiler lines did not cause differences between their embryonic growth patterns, but it did affect their metabolic rate. Oxygen consumption was higher in embryos from the 38-wk-old flock. The results suggest that genetic selection affected not only production traits but also the developmental pattern of the embryo and its metabolic characteristics.

Tolerance of Japanese quail embryos and young chicks to hypothermia

The purpose of this study was to explore the tolerance of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) embryos and young quail chicks to a very low ambient temperature. Fifty (n = 50) quail embryos at age embryonic age d 6 were placed in a cold room at 13 degrees C for 24 h. The heart rate (HR) was determined with an infrared HR sensor in an instrument called "Buddy." After 12 and 24 h, the average body temperature of the embryos was 13 degrees C with an average HR of 8.7 +/- 0.9 beats per minute (bpm). The average body temperature of 50 control embryos was 38 degrees C and they had an average HR of 301 +/- 15 bpm. The hypothermic quail embryos had a 24-h delay in hatching at 58% hatchability. The controls hatched on time at 81% hatchability. Twelve (n = 12) 6-d-old quail chicks were placed in a low-temperature environment (13 degrees C) for a period of 6 h. Quail from which the test group was selected were retained in a brooder to serve as the control comparison. The electrocardiogram HR for both hypothermic and control quail was recorded with a digital oscilloscope. The 12 quail in the low-temperature environment exhibited an immobile state of hypothermia. These hypothermic quail had an average HR of 7 +/- 0.6 bpm. The control quail had an average HR of 525 +/- 24 bpm. After emerging from the reduced-temperature environment, the immobile hypothermic quail were placed under an infrared light that produced a brooder-like temperature of 33 degrees C. After 40 min, all quail could walk around and some ate and drank.