Journal article

Publication year: 2007

Pages: 1187-1195

Journal: Poultry Science

Volume number: 86

Issue number: 6

ISSN: 0032-5791

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1093/ps/86.6.1187

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 
Expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR alpha) has been shown in liver of chicks, but effects of its activation have not yet been investigated. In this study, laying hens were treated with clofibrate, a synthetic PPAR alpha agonist, to investigate the effects of PPAR alpha activation on liver lipid metabolism. Hens receiving a diet containing 5 g of clofibrate/kg had a lower food intake and higher liver mRNA concentrations of typical PPAR alpha target genes (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A, acyl-coenzyme A oxidase, bifunctional enzyme, lipoprotein lipase) involved in hepatic mitochondrial and peroxisomal alpha-oxidation and plasma triglyceride clearance than control hens that received the same diet without clofibrate (P < 0.05). Hens treated with clofibrate also had lower mRNA concentrations of fatty acid synthase, 3-hydroxy- 3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, and low-density lipoprotein receptor, proteins involved in fatty acid biosynthesis and cholesterol biosynthesis and uptake, than hens fed the control diet (P < 0.05). These changes in clofibrate-treated hens were accompanied by reduced liver triglyceride concentrations, strongly diminished very low density triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations (P < 0.05), a disturbed maturation of egg follicles, a complete stop of egg production, and a markedly reduced plasma 17-alpha-estradiol concentration (P < 0.05). In conclusion, it is shown that clofibrate has complex effects on hepatic lipid metabolism in laying hens that mimic PPAR alpha activation in mammals, affect maturation of egg follicles, and lead to a stop of egg production. Because clofibrate treatment strongly reduced food intake in the hens, some of these effects (i.e., egg production) may have been due to a low energy and nutrient intake.

Harvard Citation style: König, B., Kluge, H., Haase, K., Brandsch, C., Stangl, G. and Eder, K. (2007) Effects of clofibrate treatment in laying hens, Poultry Science, 86(6), pp. 1187-1195. https://doi.org/10.1093/ps/86.6.1187

APA Citation style: König, B., Kluge, H., Haase, K., Brandsch, C., Stangl, G., & Eder, K. (2007). Effects of clofibrate treatment in laying hens. Poultry Science. 86(6), 1187-1195. https://doi.org/10.1093/ps/86.6.1187