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Open AccessReview
Exploring Evolutionary Adaptations and Genomic Advancements to Improve Heat Tolerance in Chickens
by
Ali Hassan Nawaz
Ali Hassan Nawaz 1
,
Phatthawin Setthaya
Phatthawin Setthaya 2 and
Chungang Feng
Chungang Feng
Chungang Feng is a Professor at the College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing He received in [...]
Chungang Feng is a Professor at the College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural
University. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and Ph.D. in Animal
Genetic Breeding and Reproduction, both from China Agricultural University in
2005 and 2012, respectively. Afterward, he served as a Research Assistant at the
same university from 2012 to 2014. He was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Uppsala
University, Sweden (2014–2017) and at Linköping University, Sweden (2018). Then,
he joined Nanjing Agricultural University in 2018. He also serves as the
director of the Animal Genetics and Breeding Branch of the Chinese Association
of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, CAAV; the director of the Poultry
Branch of CAAV, and the director of the Jiangsu Zoological Society. His main
research interests include poultry genetic breeding and poultry genetics and
genomics.
1,*
1
College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
2
Multidisciplinary Research Institute, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2024, 14(15), 2215; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14152215 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 31 May 2024
/
Revised: 24 July 2024
/
Accepted: 29 July 2024
/
Published: 30 July 2024
Simple Summary
This study provides a historical perspective of climate change in relation to chickens and a review of genetic advancements related to heat tolerance in chickens. It highlights the origin of the chickens and how the process of domestication and selective breeding has resulted in genetic variations and increased vulnerability to heat stress. This review also discusses the protective genes and molecular mechanisms, such as heat shock proteins, antioxidants, and immunological response that contribute to heat stress tolerance. Likewise, it discusses the use of further genomic techniques such as the genome-wide association study (GWAS) and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis in the identification of genetic variables that contribute to the breeding of broiler chickens with enhanced heat tolerance. Similarly, it highlights the need for including local chickens in breeding programs to enhance genetic diversity. This would help them to better withstand heat stress, addressing the challenge of sustainable poultry production in the context of global warming.
Abstract
Climate change poses a significant threat to the poultry industry, especially in hot climates that adversely affect chicken growth, development, and productivity through heat stress. This literature review evaluates the evolutionary background of chickens with the specific genetic characteristics that can help chickens to cope with hot conditions. Both natural selection and human interventions have influenced the genetic characteristics of the breeds used in the current poultry production system. The domestication of chickens from the Red junglefowl (Gallus gallus) has resulted in the development of various breeds with distinct genetic differences. Over the past few years, deliberate breeding for desirable traits (such as meat production and egg quality) in chickens has resulted in the emergence of various economically valuable breeds. However, this selective breeding has also caused a decrease in the genetic diversity of chickens, making them more susceptible to environmental stressors like heat stress. Consequently, the chicken breeds currently in use may possess a limited ability to adapt to challenging conditions, such as extreme heat. This review focuses on evaluating potential genes and pathways responsible for heat tolerance, including heat shock response, antioxidant defense systems, immune function, and cellular homeostasis. This article will also discuss the physiological and behavioral responses of chicken varieties that exhibit genetic resistance to heat, such as the naked neck and dwarf traits in different indigenous chickens. This article intends to review the current genomic findings related to heat tolerance in chickens that used methods such as the genome-wide association study (GWAS) and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, offering valuable insights for the sustainability of poultry in the face of global warming.
Share and Cite
MDPI and ACS Style
Nawaz, A.H.; Setthaya, P.; Feng, C.
Exploring Evolutionary Adaptations and Genomic Advancements to Improve Heat Tolerance in Chickens. Animals 2024, 14, 2215.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14152215
AMA Style
Nawaz AH, Setthaya P, Feng C.
Exploring Evolutionary Adaptations and Genomic Advancements to Improve Heat Tolerance in Chickens. Animals. 2024; 14(15):2215.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14152215
Chicago/Turabian Style
Nawaz, Ali Hassan, Phatthawin Setthaya, and Chungang Feng.
2024. "Exploring Evolutionary Adaptations and Genomic Advancements to Improve Heat Tolerance in Chickens" Animals 14, no. 15: 2215.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14152215
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