Moderate Heat Challenge Increased Yolk Steroid Hormones and Shaped Offspring Growth and Behavior in Chickens

摘要: Background Environmental challenges might affect the maternal organism and indirectly later ontogeny of progeny. We investigated cross-generation impact a moderate heat challenge in chickens. hypothesized that warm temperature–within thermotolerance range- would hormonal environment provided to embryos by mothers, turn, morphology behavioral phenotype offspring. Methodology/Principal Findings Laying hens were raised under standard thermal condition at 21°C (controls) or 30°C (experimental) for 5 consecutive weeks. A significant increase was observed internal temperature exposed treatment; however plasma corticosterone levels remained unaffected. The laying rate not affected, but experimental laid lighter eggs than controls during treatment. As expected, affected yolk hormone contents. Eggs showed significantly higher concentrations progesterone, testosterone, estradiol. All chicks conditions. quality hatchlings, growth, feeding behavior emotional reactivity analyzed. Offspring (C30 chicks) obtained better morphological scores hatching (C21 chicks). C30 expressed lesser distress calls when novel food. Unlike C21 chicks, no preference energetic food. Conclusion/Significance Our findings suggest triggers effects modulate developmental trajectory offspring way may be adaptive. This suggests on captive wild populations have effect.