Project description:To identify markers associated with inherent cellular sex-identity, we analysed macrophages from newly-hatched chicks. We found that male and female macrophages respond differently to stimulation by bacterial lipopolysaccharide and that female macrophages constitutively express higher levels of interferon target genes than male macrophages.
Project description:Newly-hatched domestic chick serves as an important model for studies of neural and behavioral plasticity, particularly with respect to learning and memory such as filial imprinting. Imprinting is assumed to be a unique case of recognition learning with some characteristic features, such as sensitive period and irreversibility. However, the molecules involved in the memory process are yet to be fully identified. To address this issue, we attempted to identify the genes differentially expressed at an earlier phase of filial imprinting than described in our previous report (Brain Res. Bull.76, 275-281 (2008)). One-day-old chicks were trained for imprinting for 1 h and whole brains were collected and used for cDNA microarray analysis and quantitative RT-PCR. We identified 18 genes upregulated accompanying filial imprinting. These results suggested that the increase of these 18 genes associated with filial imprinting might play an important role in the acquisition of memory in the filial imprinting. Total RNA was extracted from whole brains of trained chicks (n=16) and control dark-reared chicks (n=16). Using these total RNAs, we performed RT-PCR to distinguish male chicks from females. Then total RNAs were separated and mixed in four groups (1, male trained (n=8); 2, female trained (n=8); 3, male dark-reared (n=8); and 4, female dark-reared chicks (n=8)), and we performed cDNA microarray expression analysis to identify the upregulated genes following imprinting (1 versus 3 and 2 versus 4).
Project description:Newly-hatched domestic chick serves as an important model for studies of neural and behavioral plasticity, particularly with respect to learning and memory such as filial imprinting. Imprinting is assumed to be a unique case of recognition learning with some characteristic features, such as sensitive period and irreversibility. However, the molecules involved in the memory process are yet to be fully identified. To address this issue, we attempted to identify the genes differentially expressed at an earlier phase of filial imprinting than described in our previous report (Brain Res. Bull.76, 275-281 (2008)). One-day-old chicks were trained for imprinting for 1 h and whole brains were collected and used for cDNA microarray analysis and quantitative RT-PCR. We identified 18 genes upregulated accompanying filial imprinting. These results suggested that the increase of these 18 genes associated with filial imprinting might play an important role in the acquisition of memory in the filial imprinting.
Project description:To identify markers associated with inherent cellular sex-identity, we analysed macrophages from newly-hatched chicks. We found that male and female macrophages respond differently to stimulation by bacterial lipopolysaccharide and that female macrophages constitutively express higher levels of interferon target genes than male macrophages. Macrophages were collected from leg-bones of chickens between 1 and 3 days after hatch. Three pools of macrophage cells were made for male and female cultures. Cells were cultured in either standard medium or in medium containing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to activate the macrophages. Macrophages were harvested and RNA collected for microarray analysis.
Project description:The first period post-hatch with all its stimuli could potentially be stressful for the chicks, and by that affect the welfare of the chicken as they mature. By measuring changes in the transcriptome, along with behavioural phenotypes and hormonal levels, the aim is to investigate short and long term effects on the chicken. One batch of chicken were hatched in a production environment, and underwent the same treatment all newly hatched production animals do (sorting, sexing and transportation). Eggs of the same age were simultaneously incubated and hatched in a control environment in a lab. From the end of day one after hatch, both groups were reared under the same conditions in the lab.