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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Quality and Safety Assessment Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #421024
Research Project: Assessment of Quality Attributes of Poultry Products, Grain, Seed, Nuts, and Feed

Location: Quality and Safety Assessment Research Unit

Title: Reduction of ribonucleotide reductase subunit RRM2 potentially impairs gut function in broilers exhibiting the woody breast condition

Author
item SHAKERI, MAJID - Orise Fellow
item ZIABTCHENKO, ELIZABETH - Hispanic Association Of Colleges & Universities (HACU)
item CHOI, JANGHAN - Orise Fellow
item Harris, Caitlin
item Buhr, Richard
item Mitchell, Trevor
item Kong, Byungwhi
item Zhuang, Hong
item Bowker, Brian

Submitted to: International Poultry Scientific Forum
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/25/2024
Publication Date: 1/27/2025
Citation: Shakeri, M., Ziabtchenko, E., Choi, J., Harris, C.E., Buhr, R.J., Mitchell, T.R., Kong, B.C., Zhuang, H., Bowker, B.C. 2025. Reduction of ribonucleotide reductase subunit RRM2 potentially impairs gut function in broilers exhibiting the woody breast condition. International Poultry Scientific Forum. 33.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The woody breast (WB) condition impairs the texture and appearance of chicken breast meat causing a financial loss for the poultry industry. Recent studies showed that nutritional treatments reduce WB and suggest that gut health may play a role in WB. However, there is limited information available on gut health and the WB condition. Ribonucleotide reductase, subunit RRM2, is involved in DNA synthesis and mitochondria function. Inhibition of RRM2 increases gastrointestinal disturbances and liver toxicity by disturbing inflammatory mediators and mitochondrial homeostasis. This study aimed to investigate links between RRM2 and gut health in broilers exhibiting WB. Samples were collected '15min post-mortem from 15 severe WB and 15 normal (N) birds. Gene expression was performed by qPCR using SYBR reagents, while biochemical kits were conducted to collect data. Data were analyzed using Prism V.9 and t-test. Results indicated that WB breast muscles exhibited higher pH (P=0.03), drip loss (P=0.03), compression force (P=0.0005), redness (P=0.02), and hemorrhages scores (P=0.004) vs N samples at 24h post-mortem. RRM2 expression was reduced for WB (duodenum and liver, P= '0.0001 and P=0.01). Bcl-2 (P=0.03 and NS), HSP70 (P=0.002 and NS), MDA (both P=0.01) and DNA damage (P=0.004 and NS) increased for WB, indicating greater oxidative damage in the tissues. Expression of genes related to mitochondria function were reduced for WB; ATP-6 (P=0.07 and P=0.08), CytB (P=0.06 and NS), mtDNA (P=0.05 and NS), tolemere (P=0.05 and NS) and UCP3 (NS and P=0.01). WB had shorter villi length (P=0.004) and thicker crypt (P=0.07), consequently lowered villi/crypt ratio (P=0.004). Expression of claudin1 (P=0.003 and NS), occuldin (P=0.02 and NS) and SGLT-1 (P=0.005 and P=0.002) reduced for WB indicating impaired gut barrier function. Amylase (measured in the duodenum, P=0.04) and citrulline (P=0.07 and P=0.04) were reduced for WB. ATP concentrations were reduced for WB (both P=0.07). In conclusion, reduced RRM2 expression impaired mitochondria function leading to increased inflammation and altered the gut morphology and enzyme activities, suggest that RMM2 may play an essential role in gut health and potentially the WB myopathy.