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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

DNA methylation profiles in red blood cells of adult hens correlate with their rearing conditions

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Author(s):
Pertille, Fabio [1, 2] ; Brantsaeter, Margrethe [3] ; Nordgreen, Janicke ; Coutinho, Luiz Lehmann [2] ; Janczak, Andrew M. [3] ; Jensen, Per [1] ; Guerrero-Bosagna, Carlos [1]
Total Authors: 7
Affiliation:
[1] Linkoping Univ, Avian Behav Genom & Physiol Grp, IFM Biol, SE-58183 Linkoping - Sweden
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Anim Biotechnol Lab, Anim Sci & Pastures Dept, Luiz de Queiroz Coll Agr ESALQ, BR-13418900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[3] Norwegian Univ Life Sci, Fac Vet Med, Dept Prod Anim Clin Sci, Anim Welf Res Grp, N-0033 Oslo - Norway
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Journal of Experimental Biology; v. 220, n. 19, p. 3579-3587, OCT 1 2017.
Web of Science Citations: 8
Abstract

Stressful conditions are common in the environment where production animals are reared. Stress in animals is usually determined by the levels of stress-related hormones. A big challenge, however, is in determining the history of exposure of an organism to stress, because the release of stress hormones can show an acute (and recent) but not a sustained exposure to stress. Epigenetic tools provide an alternative option to evaluate past exposure to long-termstress. Chickens provide a unique model to study stress effects in the epigenome of red blood cells (RBCs), a cell type of easy access and nucleated in birds. The present study investigated whether two different rearing conditions in chickens can be identified by looking at DNA methylation patterns in their RBCs later in life. These conditions were rearing in open aviaries versus in cages, which are likely to differ regarding the amount of stress they generate. Our comparison revealed 115 genomic windows with significant changes in RBC DNA methylation between experimental groups, which were located around 53 genes and within 22 intronic regions. Our results set the ground for future detection of long-term stress in live production animals by measuring DNA methylation in a cell type of easy accessibility. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 16/20440-3 - Epigenetic analysis of methylation profile of chickens submitted to different stress conditions in the livestock production environment
Grantee:Fábio Pértille
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
FAPESP's process: 14/08704-0 - Identification of loci of interest for poultry production
Grantee:Luiz Lehmann Coutinho
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants