The effect of microbial challenge on the intestinal proteome of broiler chickens

As well as providing a mechanism by which the body can derive nutrition from its environment, the gastrointestinal tract, composed as it is of physical and chemical immunological components must also safeguard the bird against disease (Yegani and Korver, 2008). Proteomics was used in this study to evaluate the effect of a microbial challenge (in this case used poultry litter) on the intestinal proteome of broiler chickens. Proteomic techniques have only recently been used to study poultry and to date this approach has not been used to study the intestinal proteome in chickens. Difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE), a proteomic approach where the proteins of several samples are labelled with spectrally distinct fluorescent dyes prior to electrophoretic separation (Westermeier, et al. 2008) was used to identify proteins differentially expressed in the intestines as a result of exposure to the mixed microbial challenge from used litter. Additionally the pen weights for the groups were recorded and the acute phase protein alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) a moderate indicator for infection and inflammation was also measured to identify any effects the addition of the litter had on innate immunity and growth rate of the birds