Bao En-dong

Relationship Between Heart Damages and HSPs mRNA in Persistent Heat Stressed Broilers

The relationship between myocardial cell damages and HSPs mRNA transcription in heat stressed broilers was studied using a spectrophotometer, the histopathological technique, and fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription PCR (FQ RT-PCR). The results showed that the activities of creatine kinase (CK) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were induction during the persistent heat stress. The major lesions of the myocardial fibers were granular degeneration and necrosis. The transcription of constitutive or cognate heat shock protein 70 (HSC70) mRNA was changeable. The transcription of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) mRNA was increased obviously in the course of persistent heat stress. The results showed that the change of HSC70 mRNA transcription was contrary to the activity of CK, and the level of HSC70 mRNA transcription must be used as a symbol of the myocardial cell damages in the course of persistent heat stress.

HSP70 and HSP70 mRNA localization in heat-stressed tissues of broilers

The localization of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and HSP70 mRNA in the heart, liver, lung, kidney, spleen, thymus and cloacal bursa in broilers that were heat stressed for 6 h was conducted using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization techniques. Positive HSP70 mRNA signals were detected in the liver and lung, especially in the vessel walls. A weak presence was found in the myocardial cells. No significant signals were observed in spleen, thymus and cloacal bursa. HSP70 was observed in the vessel walls of all investigated broiler tissues. Localizations of HSP70 and HSP70 mRNA suggest that HSP70 could be correlated with cardiovascular function.