Effect of heat exposure on the thermoregulatory responses of selected naked neck chickens

Abstract

Estudaram-se o efeito do estresse térmico sobre a temperatura cloacal, a perda de peso corporal e a expressão da proteína de estresse de 70 kDa (Hsp70) em três genótipos de galinhas de pescoço-pelado. Foram usadas 12 aves de cada genótipo (Na/Na, Na/na e na/na), com peso corporal médio de 2,100kg e criadas em temperatura termoneutra. Seis aves de cada grupo serviram como controle e as seis restantes foram submetidas a estresse térmico gradativo (28ºC - 36ºC). A temperatura cloacal e o peso das aves foram avaliados antes e depois do estresse. Amostras de fígado foram coletadas e os níveis de Hsp70 foram quantificados por western blotting com anticorpo monoclonal específico para Hsp70 de galinha. As aves heterozigotas (Na/na) tiveram variação de temperatura cloacal significativamente menor e menor perda de peso corporal durante o estresse térmico do que as dos outros genótipos. Não foi observada diferença significativa (P>0,05) para o aumento de Hsp70 no fígado. Aves heterozigotas parecem ter pequena vantagem sobre os outros genótipos durante estresse térmico gradativo, talvez devido ao efeito de heterose.

The variation in cloacal temperature, body weight loss and expression of the 70 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70) in three naked neck broiler genotypes during heat stress were studied. Twelve birds of each genotype (Na/Na, Na/na and na/na) were reared to market weight (approximately 2.1kg) at thermoneutral temperature. Six birds from each group served as controls and the remaining six underwent gradual heat stress (from 28ºC to 36ºC). Cloacal temperature and body weight were measured before and after exposure to heat. Liver samples were collected and Hsp70 levels were quantified using western blotting with monoclonal anti-chicken Hsp70 antibody. Heterozygous (Na/na) birds had a significantly lower cloacal temperature variation and less body weight loss during heat stress than the other genotypes. There was no significant difference in the Hsp70 levels among the genotypes. Heterozygous birds (Na/na) appeared to have a slight advantage over the other genotypes during gradual heat stress, perhaps because of a heterotic effect.