RNA sequencing identifies sub-clinical hepatic response to stocking density

We report the hepatic response of broiler chickens to an increase in stocking density. Here we compare gene expression profiles of liver cells via RNA-seq of broiler chicken raised under a high stocking density to broiler chickens raised under a lower stocking density with the objective of this study being to identify biomarkers of stress before the clinical and economic impacts are observed. We found that increasing stocking density seems to have a unique impact on hepatic gene expression prior to eliciting common clinical signs associated with stress. The cellular functions that are most affected appear to be those involved in steroidogenesis and cell movement/migration as identified by RNA-seq analysis of the liver transcriptome. These results could provide a baseline of information that future research to identify genes or molecules that could aid in the detection of negative effects of stressors such as stocking density prior to negative clinical and economic signs presenting themselves. Hepatic gene expression profiles via RNAseq of broilers raised under a stocking density of 24.4kg/m2 (5 lbs/ft2 (treatment A)) and 39.1kg/m2 (8 lbs/ft2 (treatment D))