Reproductive failure associated with heat stress is a well-known phenomenon in poultry. High temperatures also induce various metabolic disturbances in many animals. Because the liver plays a central role in metabolism, the present study aimed to clarify the relationship between liver and reproduction in Japanese quails exposed to high temperatures. In the consecutive 20-D experimental period, quails were treated with 25°C (control) or 34°C (heat) from 12:00 to 16:00. Eggs were collected for hatching. On completion of the experimental period, quails were humanely euthanized for hormone analyses (e.g., serum and ovarian follicles). Serum metabolites were analyzed using GC/MS. Liver and ovary samples were collected for mRNA levels, histomorphology, and metabolic analysis. Ovary and oviduct weights significantly decreased after daily heat exposure. The number and weight of hierarchical follicles also decreased. Consequently, egg weight decreased. Although there was no difference in fertilization rate, chick birth weight significantly decreased in the heated group. Corticosterone and 17β-estradiol in the serum significantly increased in the heated group. Yolk corticosterone and 17β-estradiol concentration and content were higher in the heated group. Ovary sterologenic enzymes gene P450scc and estrogen receptor expression level increased. The FSH receptor decreased in heat-stressed quails. MetaboAnalyst analysis indicated that high temperature affects propanoate metabolism, beta-alanine metabolism, aspartate metabolism, and histidine metabolism. Triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the liver increased in the heated group. The heated group also had an increased mRNA expression of AGPAT5, apoptosis gene caspase3, and the immunocytokine genes IL-6 and TLR4. However, NF-κB gene expression decreased. These results suggest that high temperatures affect lipid metabolism and apoptosis and cause inflammation in the liver. High temperature induced ovarian dysfunction, which resulted in the decline of hierarchical follicle number and weight, egg weight, and chick birth weight. The increased level of 17β-estradiol suggests liver damage. Protecting liver function from damage may assist quails cope in summer.

中文翻译：

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暴露于高环境温度下的日本雌鹌鹑（Coturnix japonica）的肝损害与生殖之间的关系。

与热应激相关的生殖衰竭是家禽中的一种众所周知的现象。高温还会在许多动物中诱发各种代谢紊乱。由于肝脏在新陈代谢中起着核心作用，因此本研究旨在阐明暴露于高温的日本鹌鹑肝脏与繁殖之间的关系。在连续的20天实验期内，从12:00到16:00用25°C（对照）或34°C（热）处理鹌鹑。收集卵进行孵化。实验期结束后，将鹌鹑人道安乐死进行激素分析（例如血清和卵巢卵泡）。使用GC / MS分析血清代谢物。收集肝和卵巢样品以进行mRNA水平，组织形态学和代谢分析。每天受热后，卵巢和输卵管重量显着下降。分级卵泡的数量和重量也减少了。因此，鸡蛋的重量减少了。尽管受精率没有差异，但加热组的雏鸡出生体重显着下降。加热组血清中的皮质酮和17β-雌二醇显着升高。加热组卵黄皮质酮和17β-雌二醇的浓度和含量较高。卵巢固醇生成酶基因P450scc和雌激素受体的表达水平升高。热应激鹌鹑的FSH受体下降。MetaboAnalyst分析表明，高温会影响丙酸酯代谢，β-丙氨酸代谢，天冬氨酸代谢和组氨酸代谢。加热组肝脏中甘油三酸酯和胆固醇水平升高。加热组的AGPAT5 mRNA表达也增加，凋亡基因caspase3，以及免疫细胞因子基因IL-6和TLR4。但是，NF-κB基因表达下降。这些结果表明高温会影响脂质代谢和细胞凋亡并引起肝脏炎症。高温引起的卵巢功能障碍，导致卵泡的分层数量和重量，卵重和雏鸡出生体重下降。17β-雌二醇水平升高表明肝脏受损。保护肝脏功能不受损害可能有助于鹌鹑在夏天应付。这导致卵泡的分级数量和重量，卵重和雏鸡出生体重下降。17β-雌二醇水平升高表明肝脏受损。保护肝脏功能不受损害可能有助于鹌鹑在夏天应付。这导致卵泡的层次数量和重量，卵重和雏鸡出生体重下降。17β-雌二醇水平升高表明肝脏受损。保护肝脏功能不受损害可能有助于鹌鹑在夏天应付。