Developmental programming: a new frontier for the poultry industry?
P. I. Hynd A B , S. Weaver A , N. M. Edwards A , N. D. Heberle A and M. Bowling A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: philip.hynd@adelaide.edu.au
Animal Production Science 56(8) 1233-1238 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN15373
Submitted: 13 July 2015 Accepted: 15 September 2015 Published: 25 February 2016
Abstract
Increasing evidence that the maternal environment influences the programming of developing embryos and fetuses through epigenetic mechanisms has significant potential application in the broiler industry. The broiler breeder hen is subjected to restricted-feeding regimes to maximise egg quantity and quality, but the genetically high-intake potential of these birds makes this regime a stressful one. We propose that this stress is signalled to the developing embryo via changes in yolk composition as an evolutionary adaptation to changing environments, and that exposure to high levels of corticosteroids in ovo is associated with developmental reprogramming, which has effects on the behaviour, health and growth of the progeny. The present paper describes some preliminary results from a series of trials designed to elucidate the relationship between breeder hen diet and egg composition, and the growth, behaviour and immune function of the progeny. We conclude that manipulation of the breeder hen diet is an untapped opportunity to maintain the competitiveness of the chicken meat industry and further, that achieving improved productivity by this means may be compatible with improved animal welfare outcomes for the hen and her progeny.
Additional keywords: epigenetics, environment, maternal, yolk.
References
Barker DJ, Martyn CN (1992) The maternal and fetal origins of cardiovascular disease. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 46, 8–11.| The maternal and fetal origins of cardiovascular disease.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK383ktlSkug%3D%3D&md5=f382860e281774dc3f96b081b86f9e8dCAS | 1573367PubMed |
Burdge GS, Hanson MA, Slater-Jeferies JL, Lillycrop KAS (2007) Epigenetic regulation of transcription: a mechanism for inducing variations in phenotype (fetal programming) by differnces in nutrition in early life? British Journal of Nutrition 97, 1036–1046.
| Epigenetic regulation of transcription: a mechanism for inducing variations in phenotype (fetal programming) by differnces in nutrition in early life?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXnt1Gju7c%3D&md5=453e02ab40384f80cf78d8053689857cCAS |
Chango A, Progribny IP (2015) Considering maternal dietary modulators for epigenetic regulation and programming of the fetal epigenome. Nutrients 7, 2748–2770.
| Considering maternal dietary modulators for epigenetic regulation and programming of the fetal epigenome.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXotVyqtbk%3D&md5=df135973f299063515d171f7f0089d2eCAS | 25875118PubMed |
Edwards L, McMillen IC (2002) Impact of maternal undernutriion during the periconceptual period, fetal number, and fetal sex on the development of the hypothalamopituitary adrenal axis in sheep during late gestation. Biology of Reproduction 66, 1562–1569.
| Impact of maternal undernutriion during the periconceptual period, fetal number, and fetal sex on the development of the hypothalamopituitary adrenal axis in sheep during late gestation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XjtFWnsLY%3D&md5=248f44457b351a5c8f06e2084e7edd4cCAS | 11967224PubMed |
Foxcroft GR, Dixon WT, Dyck MK, Novak S, Harding JC, Almeida FC (2009) Prenatal programming of postnatal development in the pig. Society of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement 66, 213–231.
Gatford KL, Simmons RA, DeBlasio MJ, Robinson JS, Owens JA (2010) Review: placental programming of postnatal diabetes and impaired insulin action after IUGR. Placenta 31, S60–S65.
| Review: placental programming of postnatal diabetes and impaired insulin action after IUGR.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20096455PubMed |
Glover V, O’Connor TG, O’Donnell K (2010) Prenatal stress and the programming of the HPA axis. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 35, 17–22.
| Prenatal stress and the programming of the HPA axis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhtVGrtbrE&md5=1f4534b08fc4865d01af5cef8533b01fCAS | 19914282PubMed |
Ho DH, Reed WL, Burggren WW (2011) Egg yolk environment differentially influences physiological and morphological development of broiler and layer chicken embryos. The Journal of Experimental Biology 214, 619–628.
| Egg yolk environment differentially influences physiological and morphological development of broiler and layer chicken embryos.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21270311PubMed |
Hocking PM, Maxwell MH, Roberston GW, Mitchell MA (2001) Welfare assessment of modified rearing programmes for broiler breeders. British Poultry Science 42, 424–432.
| Welfare assessment of modified rearing programmes for broiler breeders.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MrisFCmsg%3D%3D&md5=4e71eb64044875daf53ff7535e0623f5CAS | 11572616PubMed |
Irving RJ, Belton NR, Elton RA, Walker BR (2000) Adult cardiovascular risk factors in premature babies. Lancet 355, 2135–2136.
| Adult cardiovascular risk factors in premature babies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3czlvVChtA%3D%3D&md5=473bd14a1491ad5372ef5edb569c1f77CAS | 10902631PubMed |
Levitt N, Lindsay RS, Holmes MC, Seckl JR (1996) Dexamethasone in the last week of pregnancy attenuates hippocampal glucorticoid receptor gene expression and elevates blood pressure in the adult offspring in the rat. Neuroendocrinology 64, 412–418.
| Dexamethasone in the last week of pregnancy attenuates hippocampal glucorticoid receptor gene expression and elevates blood pressure in the adult offspring in the rat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXisF2lsg%3D%3D&md5=042324c1f18c4c51803ce01946a4e4ceCAS | 8990073PubMed |
Murgatroyd C, Spengler D (2011) Epigenetic programming of the HPA axis: early life decides. Stress 14, 581–589.
Sarkar P, Bergman K, O’Connor TG, Glover V (2008) Maternal antenatal anxiety and amniotic fluid cortisol and testosterone: possible implications for foetal programming. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 20, 489–496.
| Maternal antenatal anxiety and amniotic fluid cortisol and testosterone: possible implications for foetal programming.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXkslygu7k%3D&md5=bb472fd0c25de72472dee37f308e2b66CAS | 18266948PubMed |
Seckl JR (2004) Prenatal glucorticoids and long-term programming. European Journal of Endocrinology 151, U49–U62.
| Prenatal glucorticoids and long-term programming.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXhtFSht7vL&md5=c529503e3a943ee4ed907aefa431c52fCAS | 15554887PubMed |
Symonds ME, Stephenson T, Gardner DS, Budge H (2007) Long-term effects of nutritional programming of the embryo and the fetus: mechanisms and critical windows. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 19, 53–63.
| Long-term effects of nutritional programming of the embryo and the fetus: mechanisms and critical windows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Van den Bergh B, Mulder EJH, Mennes M, Glover V (2005) Antenatal maternal anxiety and stress and the neurobehavioural development of the fetus and child: links and possible mechanisms. A review. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 29, 237–258.
| Antenatal maternal anxiety and stress and the neurobehavioural development of the fetus and child: links and possible mechanisms. A review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15811496PubMed |
Weinstock M, Matlina E, Maor GI, Rosen H, McEwen BS (1992) Prenatal stress selectively alters the reactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal system in the female rat. Brain Research 595, 195–200.
| Prenatal stress selectively alters the reactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal system in the female rat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXhs1Gltw%3D%3D&md5=8237683ef56294a2211bbfb24be18570CAS | 1467966PubMed |
Welberg LAM, Seckl JR (2001) Prenatal stress, glucorticoids and the programming of the brain. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 13, 113–128.
| Prenatal stress, glucorticoids and the programming of the brain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXotFSmtQ%3D%3D&md5=82febcdcfcd5578c091a795f2efaed33CAS |
Zhang S, Rattanatray L, McMillen I, Sutter CM, Morrison JL (2011) Periconceptual nutrition and the early programming of a life of obesity or adversity. Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology 106, 307–314.
| Periconceptual nutrition and the early programming of a life of obesity or adversity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3MrnvVCqug%3D%3D&md5=e19af4d898d3471e4445ff9b06397c26CAS | 21168433PubMed |
