Analysis of the adaptation for the spontaneous low-energy state in chickens during incubation behavior

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06350
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42010:Animal production science-related
• Research Institution: Ibaraki University
• Principal Investigator: Ohkubo Takeshi 茨城大学, 農学部, 教授 (70233070)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: CRP / レプチン / エネルギー代謝 / ニワトリ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the present study, the relationship between CRP and leptin was analyzed to clarify the adaptation of chickens to the physiological low-energy state (incubation behavior).
As a result, it was found that CRP is a marker reflecting energy intake and that the liver metabolism may be altered specifically during incubation behavior based on the result of CRP mRNA expression. On the other hand, unlike mammals, the interaction between CRP and leptin is not associated to regulate energy metabolism in birds. Furthermore, it was revealed that mRNA expression of CRP and leptin increases from late development in the hypothalamus chick embryos when neural circuit construction occurs.

Free Research Field

動物生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果は、ニワトリが抱卵中の自律的なエネルギー摂取の抑制とそれに対する適応に炎症性マーカーの一つであるＣ反応性タンパク質（CRP）が関与する可能性を見出したもので、ニワトリの生殖とエネルギー摂取との関連を明らかにするうえで、学術的な意義は高い。さらに本研究では、発生後期のニワトリ胚視床下部でCRPとレプチンがともに増加することを今回初めて明らかにした。発生後期の視床下部における両因子の役割は明らかでなく、脳の機能発達と両因子の関係解明に向けた研究の進展が期待される。