Basic Analysis of Glycolysis in Cardiac Tissue in Broiler Chickens Presenting with Ascites Syndrome

Ascites syndrome (AS) is one of the most noticeable metabolic disorders in broiler chickens. In the present study, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were performed to investigate the influence of metabolic functions on the development of AS. Pathological examination of cardiac tissues of AS broilers revealed loosely arranged myocardial fibers, blurred plasma membrane boundaries, interstitial edema, and congestion. Levels of glycolysis were analyzed in cardiac tissue samples based on the expression of major rate-limiting enzymes in the related pathway. The results showed that the mRNA levels of PFK and PKM were significantly increased 2.19-fold and 3.82-fold vs. the control group in AS group (P<0.05), respectively. IHC results showed increased protein levels of PFK1, p-PFK2 and PKM2, which were in accordance with the changes in the levels of mRNA. Then, the Western blot analysis demonstrated that the expression percentage of PFK1, p-PFK2 and p-PKM2 were increased by 48.71, 45.41 and 67.14% than healthy broilers (P<0.01). The results indicated that the acidic intermediate products induced by the activation of glycolytic pathway might trigger fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity of broilers with AS. (C) 2019 PVJ. All rights reserved