Project Number: 6612-32000-003-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: May 19, 2006
End Date: May 18, 2011

Objective:
Develop an understanding of the effects of feed withdrawal and alternative molt techniques on gut physiology and change in Salmonella enteritidis receptor expression. Dissection of the cytokine, neuroendocrine, and endocrine interactions in chicken lymphocytes and gut lymphoid tissues and how this is affected by molting. Elucidate the development of systemically and mucosal immunity in the chicken to infection by S. enteritidis and how it is affected by molting. Dissect the lymphocyte population changes gut tissues in response to S. enteritidis infection and how it is affected molting. Define the cytokine/chemokine profile of gut tissues in response to S. enteritidis infection and how the profile changes in molted birds.

Approach:
Identification of gross and histological organ changes in tissues collected during feed withdrawal and alternative molting methods and effect of molting methods on S. enteritidis binding and penetration of tissues. Molecular examination of alterations in cytokine, neuroendocrine, and endocrine hormone expression and expression of these receptors in immune cells collected from hens molted with feed withdrawal and alternative molt techniques. Measurement of serum endocrine hormone alterations in hens molted with feed withdrawal and alternative molting techniques. Examination of the effect of endocrine hormone treatment and molting methods on immune cell activity, as measured by cytokine and hormone molecular expression and expression of cytokine and hormone receptor genes. Measurement of immune responses in S. enteritidis infected hens molted with feed withdrawal and alternative molting techniques.