In-ovo green light photostimulation during different embryonic stages affect somatotropic axis

Poult Sci. 2018 Jun 1;97(6):1998-2004. doi: 10.3382/ps/pey078.

Abstract

Previous studies demonstrated that in-ovo photostimulation with monochromatic green light increased the somatotropic axis expression in broilers embryos. The objective of the current study was to detect the critical period for in-ovo GL photostimulation, in order to find the optimal targeted photostimulation period during the incubation process. Three hundred thirty-six fertile broiler eggs were divided into 4 groups. The first group was incubated under dark conditions as a negative control. The second incubated under intermittent monochromatic green light using light-emitting diode (LED) lamps with an intensity of 0.1 W\m2 at shell level from d 0 of the incubation as a positive control. The third group incubated under intermittent monochromatic green light from d 10 of the incubation. The last group incubated under intermittent monochromatic green light from d 15 of the incubation. In-ovo green light photostimulation from embryonic d 0 (ED0) increased plasma growth hormone (GH), as well as hypothalamic growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) and liver growth hormone receptor (GHR) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) mRNA levels. In-ovo green light photostimulation from ED10 increased the GH plasma levels compared to the negative control group, without affecting somatotropic axis mRNA genes expressions of GHRH, GHR, and IGF-1. In-ovo green light photostimulation from ED15 caused an increase in both the plasma GH levels and the somatotropic axis mRNA genes expressions of GHRH, GHR, and IGF-1, compared to the negative control group. These results suggest that the critical period of somatotropic axis acceleration by GL photostimulation start at 15 d of incubation.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Husbandry / methods*
  • Animals
  • Chick Embryo / growth & development
  • Chick Embryo / radiation effects*
  • Chickens / metabolism*
  • Color
  • Gene Expression / radiation effects*
  • Growth Hormone / metabolism
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism
  • Light*
  • Ovum / radiation effects*
  • Receptors, Somatotropin / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, Somatotropin
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • Growth Hormone