Nutritional approaches for enhancing productivity and welfare in poultry: epigenetic response to maternal feeding of omega-3 fatty acids

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Poultry products are the most consumed animal proteins in Canada and contribute significantly to the national economy. To meet this demand, genetic selection and improvements in nutrition and management have led to dramatic increases in productivity and profitability of table egg laying hens and meat-type birds. On the downside, metabolic and skeletal disorders persist in commercial poultry production and the associated mortality and morbidity exerts huge economic losses to producers. There are two main concerns relating to skeletal disorders in poultry: (a) osteoporosis in egg-laying hens, and (b) leg disorders caused by rapid bone growth in broiler (meat-type) chickens. Furthermore, gastrointestinal adaptation to luminal environmental stress and resiliency to intensive production practices may represent rate-limiting step in genetic improvement for meat-type birds more so in the light of restriction on the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP). Omega-3 fatty acids (FA) such as EPA and DHA are known to play critical roles in the regulation of a variety of biological processes including development of vital organs such as skeleton, brain, gastrointestinal and engender transgenerational effects on development and behavior. The embryo to neonate transition is a critical period of development in poultry in which important genetic programs governing metabolism and growth are established. The potential of omega-3 FA in stimulating bone, brain, and immune cells development at embryonic through to early phases of chicks could significantly improve poultry productivity and welfare. Previous research in this area had focused on feeding omega-3 FA to adult birds to manage metabolic disorders, but limited research has investigated maternal feeding of omega-3 FA on epigenetic responses in the progeny. To address this gap in knowledge, series of studies will be conducted to explore epigenetic response of feeding broiler and egg strain pullet breeders omega-3 FA and subsequent effects on progeny skeletal, gut and behavioral development. The research project will support training of 3 Ph.D and 2 undergraduate students, and a technician.