Modulating ascites-related genes expression by several synthetic or herbal drugs in broiler chickens exposed to low ambient temperatures

Hassan Shirzadi, Farid Shariatmadari, Mohammad Amir Karimi-Torshizi, Ali Akbar Masoudi, Fahimeh Hashemzadeh and Shaban Rahimi

Modulating ascites-related genes expression by several synthetic or herbal drugs in broiler chickens exposed to low ambient temperatures

Hassan Shirzadi, Farid Shariatmadari, Mohammad Amir Karimi-Torshizi, Ali Akbar Masoudi, Fahimeh Hashemzadeh and Shaban Rahimi

Tarbiat Modares University, Iran

: J Vet Sci Med Diagn

Abstract

This experiment investigated effects of two plant extracts, L-arginine, vitamin E and CaptoprilÃ‚Â® on ascites-related genes expression in broilers exposed to low ambient temperatures. 450 1 d old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly allocated to 6 dietary treatments including 5 replicates with 15 birds per each, and grown over a 28 d experimental period. Room temperature was kept at 32Ã‚ÂºC during the first 3 d of the trial and was then gradually reduced to 14Ã‚ÂºC by the third week, at which was maintained through the end of the experiment. Dietary treatments consisting of a control diet without additive and 5 similar diets that were supplemented with Prosopis farcta extract (PFE, 200 mg/kg), Rhus coriaria L. extract (RCE, 200 mg/kg), L-arginine (40% more than requirement), vitamin E (100 mg/kg), and CaptoprilÃ‚Â® (15 mg/kg), respectively. On d 28, two birds from each pen were randomly selected, slaughtered and then their lungs were collected for mRNA extraction consequently evaluating gene expression. RT-qPCR was done with the Bio- Rad real-time detection system, and also ÃŽÂ² actin gene was considered as the control for cDNA quantity and quality. In addition, specific primers for angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) genes were designed by Allele ID Software. The results revealed that use of PFE, RCE, and CaptoprilÃ‚Â® caused to decrease in ACE expression level in lungs of broilers than two other additives (P=0.003). Also, the level of iNOS mRNA in lungs tissue was only significantly increased by adding PFE and arginine to diet as compared to control diet (P=0.001). It can be concluded that using PFE due to having beneficial effects on both of genes is an effective drug for preventing ascites syndrome.