ABSTRACT β-conglycinin from soybean has been recognized as one of the major feed allergens. This study investigated the effects of β-conglycinin-induced allergic sensitization on chicks’ small intestines. A total of 40 7-day-old (100 g) chicks were divided into four groups as control, β-conglycinin 1 h, β-conglycinin 6 h, and β-conglycinin 12 h. All treatment groups were administered 60 mg of β-conglycinin/chick and small intestine samples were collected. β-conglycinin-induced allergic sensitization marginally damages the epithelium lining of the duodenum villi and, in addition, significantly increases the accumulation of mast cells in the lamina propria and crypt of the duodenum. Moreover, the TNF-α level significantly increased in all β-conglycinin groups. IL-8 and IL-2 were significantly downregulated in the 1 h group; however, there were increases for the 6 h and 12 h groups. These results suggest that β-conglycinin may lead to an inflammatory response in the chicks’ small intestines.

ABSTRACT The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of taurine on heat stress by evaluating them RNA and protein expressions of HSP90, 70 and 60in Ross broilers. Birds were distributed in a control group (CO) reared at 24ºC, a heat-stress group (HS) maintained at 34°C (weeks 3-5) and not supplemented with taurine, and a heat-stress group (HST) maintained at 34°C (weeks 3-5) and supplemented with 0.1% taurine from 2 weeks of age. The final body weight was significantly higher in the HST group than in the HS group (p<0.05). The mRNA expression of all three genes in the liver and of HSP90 in the muscle were significantly lower in the HST than in the HS group (p<0.05). In the liver, the expression of HSP70 and HSP60 proteins was significantly higher in the HS group compared with the CO and HST groups (p<0.05), while HSP90 expression was not different (p>0.05). In the muscle, HSP70 expression was significantly lower in the HST group than in the CO and HS groups and HSP60 expression was dramatically decreased in HS group, whereas no differences in HSP90 expression were detected among groups. In conclusion, the broilers exposed to heat stress and supplemented with taurine showed lower expressions of heat shock genes and proteins both in the liver and muscle tissues, indicating that taurine supplementation improved broiler thermo-tolerance.