Water homeostasis gene expression in intestines of male and female broilers divergently selected and individually phenotyped for low and high water conversion ratio
- 1Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas , , ,
Abstract
Background: The goal of this study was to evaluate gene expression of water homeostasis-related genes in the intestines of male and female broilers individually phenotyped for low and high water conversion ratio (LWCR and HWCR, respectively).
Methods: A 2x2 factorial experiment was conducted with male and female broilers from fourth generation LWCR and HWCR lines. From 4 to 6 wk, broilers were housed in cages to phenotype birds for WCR (g water intake/g body weight gain [BWG]) and feed conversion ratio (FCR, g feed intake/BWG). At 6 wk, samples obtained from the upper duodenum, ileum, and cecum (n=5/group) were frozen in liquid nitrogen. Gene expression was determined by RT-PCR for: 1) the arginine vasotocin (AVT) system (AVT, mesotocin [MT] and receptors [VR2, VR1a, VR1b, MTR]), 2) the renin-angiotensin system (angiotensinogen [AGT], angiotensin receptors [AT1, AT2], renin [REN], AGT converting enzyme [ACE], and Na+/K+ ATPase [ATP1B1], 3) aquaporins (AQP1–5 and 11), and 4) genes encoding tight junction proteins (occludin, [OCLN], and claudins [CLDN2, CLDN15]).
Results: Gene (mRNA) expression of AVT, VR1a, ACE, and AQP 1,3 and 11 was lower and CLDN2 higher in the LWCR compared to the HWCR line in the upper duodenum. In the ileum, mRNA expression of VR1a and AQP11 was lower, and REN, ATP1B1 and CLDN2 higher in LWCR compared to HWCR broilers. In the cecum, the LWCR line exhibited higher expression of VR2, ACE, and CLDN15 and lower expression of AGT and AQP5 compared to HWCR broilers. Female broilers exhibited lower expression of AQP4 in the upper duodenum and lower expression of AGT, REN, ACE, AT1, and AT2 in the ileum compared to males. In the cecum, females had elevated levels of MTR, AGT, ACE, AT1, AT2, AQP1,2,3,4, and 11, and OCLN and CLDN2 in the cecum compared to males.
Conclusion: The results of this study provide insight into water homeostasis gene expression in intestines of male and female broilers divergently selected for LWCR and HWCR. We hope this information will contribute to greater understanding of water homeostasis in broilers and help sustain the broiler industry as water scarcity issues continue worldwide.
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BibTeX
@article{lassiter2026water,
title = {{Water homeostasis gene expression in intestines of male and female broilers divergently selected and individually phenotyped for low and high water conversion ratio}},
author = {Kentu Lassiter and Elizabeth S. Greene and Marciela Maqaeda and Travis Tabler and Kirsten Shafer and Brooklee Roach and Robert F. Wideman and Sami Dridi and Sara Orlowski-Workman and Walter G. Bottje},
journal = {Frontiers in physiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fphys.2026.1954752},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13719633},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Water homeostasis gene expression in intestines of male and female broilers divergently selected and individually phenotyped for low and high water conversion ratio
AU - Kentu Lassiter
AU - Elizabeth S. Greene
AU - Marciela Maqaeda
AU - Travis Tabler
AU - Kirsten Shafer
AU - Brooklee Roach
AU - Robert F. Wideman
AU - Sami Dridi
AU - Sara Orlowski-Workman
AU - Walter G. Bottje
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/16
JO - Frontiers in physiology
DO - 10.3389/fphys.2026.1954752
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13719633
AB - Background: The goal of this study was to evaluate gene expression of water homeostasis-related genes in the intestines of male and female broilers individually phenotyped for low and high water conversion ratio (LWCR and HWCR, respectively). Methods: A 2x2 factorial experiment was conducted with male and female broilers from fourth generation LWCR and HWCR lines. From 4 to 6 wk, broilers were housed in cages to phenotype birds for WCR (g water intake/g body weight gain [BWG]) and feed conversion ratio (FCR, g feed intake/BWG). At 6 wk, samples obtained from the upper duodenum, ileum, and cecum (n=5/group) were frozen in liquid nitrogen. Gene expression was determined by RT-PCR for: 1) the arginine vasotocin (AVT) system (AVT, mesotocin [MT] and receptors [VR2, VR1a, VR1b, MTR]), 2) the renin-angiotensin system (angiotensinogen [AGT], angiotensin receptors [AT1, AT2], renin [REN], AGT converting enzyme [ACE], and Na+/K+ ATPase [ATP1B1], 3) aquaporins (AQP1–5 and 11), and 4) genes encoding tight junction proteins (occludin, [OCLN], and claudins [CLDN2, CLDN15]). Results: Gene (mRNA) expression of AVT, VR1a, ACE, and AQP 1,3 and 11 was lower and CLDN2 higher in the LWCR compared to the HWCR line in the upper duodenum. In the ileum, mRNA expression of VR1a and AQP11 was lower, and REN, ATP1B1 and CLDN2 higher in LWCR compared to HWCR broilers. In the cecum, the LWCR line exhibited higher expression of VR2, ACE, and CLDN15 and lower expression of AGT and AQP5 compared to HWCR broilers. Female broilers exhibited lower expression of AQP4 in the upper duodenum and lower expression of AGT, REN, ACE, AT1, and AT2 in the ileum compared to males. In the cecum, females had elevated levels of MTR, AGT, ACE, AT1, AT2, AQP1,2,3,4, and 11, and OCLN and CLDN2 in the cecum compared to males. Conclusion: The results of this study provide insight into water homeostasis gene expression in intestines of male and female broilers divergently selected for LWCR and HWCR. We hope this information will contribute to greater understanding of water homeostasis in broilers and help sustain the broiler industry as water scarcity issues continue worldwide.
SN - 1664-042X
ER -