Consequences of Heat Stress in Newly Established Chicken Hepatocyte-nonparenchymal Cell Co-culture

Abstract

Heat stress is a serious concern in broiler production as global temperatures are increasing due to climate change and because of the more intense production of broilers. Acute heat stress has implications for both animal welfare and production economy. An increase of only a few degrees can lead to acute heat stress in broiler chickens as well as long term production losses. On the level of the organism, it can lead to acute cardiac death and increased permeability of the enteric mucosa, contributing to increased susceptibility to infections by bacteria inhabiting the gut. The liver, as a key organ of metabolic processes, can also be highly affected by elevated environmental temperatures. On a cellular level, heat causes misfolding of proteins leading to loss of function. Heat can also provoke increased production of reactive oxygen species and other radicals resulting in oxidative stress.