Journal Article

Transcriptional responses in jejunum of two layer chicken strains following variations in dietary calcium and phosphorus levels

Reyer, Henry, Ponsuksili, Siriluck, Oster, Michael, Trakooljul, Nares, Rodehutscord, Markus, Sommerfeld, Vera, Muráni, Eduard, Wimmers, Klaus, Omotoso, Adewunmi O., Iqbal, Muhammad A.

2021

Overview

Background Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) are essential nutrients that are linked to a large array of biological processes. Disturbances in Ca and P homeostasis in chickens are associated with a decline in growth and egg laying performance and environmental burden due to excessive P excretion rates. Improved utilization of minerals in particular of P sources contributes to healthy growth while preserving the finite resource of mineral P and mitigating environmental pollution. In the current study, high performance Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL) and Lohmann Brown (LB) hens at peak laying performance were examined to approximate the consequences of variable dietary Ca and P supply. The experimental design comprised four dietary groups with standard or reduced levels of either Ca or P or both ( n  = 10 birds per treatment group and strain) in order to stimulate intrinsic mechanisms to maintain homeostasis. Jejunal transcriptome profiles and the systemic endocrine regulation of mineral homeostasis were assessed ( n  = 80). Results Endogenous mechanisms to maintain mineral homeostasis in response to variations in the supply of Ca and P were effective in both laying hen strains. However, the LSL and LB appeared to adopt different molecular pathways, as shown by circulating vitamin D levels and strain-specific transcriptome patterns. Responses in LSL indicated altered proliferation rates of intestinal cells as well as adaptive responses at the level of paracellular transport and immunocompetence. Endogenous mechanisms in LB appeared to involve a restructuring of the epithelium, which may allow adaptation of absorption capacity via improved micro-anatomical characteristics. Conclusions The results suggest that LSL and LB hens may exhibit different Ca, P, and vitamin D requirements, which have so far been neglected in the supply recommendations. There is a demand for trial data showing the mechanisms of endogenous factors of Ca and P homeostasis, such as vitamin D, at local and systemic levels in laying hens.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Animal Feed - analysis / Animal Genetics and Genomics / Animals / Biological activity / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Calciferol / Calcium / Calcium, Dietary / Cell proliferation / Chickens / Chickens - genetics / Design of experiments / Diet / Egg laying / Environmental pollution / Epithelium / Essential nutrients / Female / Gene expression / Genetic aspects / Genetic transcription / Genomics / Homeostasis / Immunocompetence / Jejunum / laying hen line / Life Sciences / Metabolism / Microarrays / Microbial Genetics and Genomics / mineral homeostasis / Mineral metabolism / mineral requirements / Minerals / Non-human and non-rodent vertebrate genomics / Nutrients / Oviposition / Phosphorus / Phosphorus in the body / Physiological aspects / Plant Genetics and Genomics / Poultry / Proteomics / Research Article / Small intestine / Transcription / Transcriptomes / Vitamin D