Proteomic Analysis of Thermal Regulation of Small Yellow Follicles in Broiler-Type Taiwan Country Chickens

摘要: Heat stress hampers egg production and lowers fertility in layers. This study investigated global protein abundance the small yellow follicles (SYFs, 6-8 mm diameter) of a broiler-type strain Taiwan country chickens (TCCs) under acute heat stress. Twelve 30-week-old TCC hens were allocated to control group maintained at 25°C, three heat-stressed groups subjected 38°C for 2 h without recovery, with 2-h or 6-h recovery. Two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis analysis identified 119 significantly differentially expressed proteins after exposure. Gene ontology revealed that most these are involved molecular binding (34%), catalytic activity (23%), structural molecule (11%), participate metabolic processes (20%), cellular component organization biogenesis (11%). Proteins associated response survival (HSP25, HSP47, HSP70, HSC70, HSPA9), cytoskeleton remodeling, mitochondrial process ATP production, antioxidative defense (peroxiredoxin-6), cargo lipid export delivery (vitellogenin, apolipoprotein B A1), toxin/metabolite clearance (albumin) upregulated SYFs TCCs. No overt cell death atresia observed Collectively, responses may represent protective mechanism maintain follicle integrity survival, thereby ensuring sufficient pool selection into ovulation hierarchy successful production.