Effect of Mealworm on GBP4L Gene Expression in the Spleen Tissue of Ross Broiler Chickens

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Professor, Animal Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Animal Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.

4 Department of Animal Science, Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University, Bila Tserkva, Ukraine.

5 Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University, Bila Tserkva, Ukraine

6 Sumy National Agrarian University, Sumy, Ukraine

7 Sumy National Agrarian University, Sumy, Ukraine.

8 National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Ukraine.

9 Poltava State Agrarian University, Ukraine.

10 Associate Professor, Poltava State Agrarian University, Ukraine.

10.22103/jab.2025.25277.1714

Abstract

Objective
The mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) can be used as both a protein supplement and a prebiotic in poultry diets. It has been shown that its use not only provides environmental benefits and reduces production costs in poultry farms but also improves poultry health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure the relative expression of the GBP4L gene in the spleen tissue of Ross broiler chickens under the effect of dietary mealworm supplementation.
Materials and methods
For this experiment, 20 broiler chicks were randomly divided into two groups of 10 birds each and fed with mealworm as a dietary additive. At the time of slaughter, spleen tissue samples were collected. Total RNA was extracted using a total RNA extraction kit. After RNA extraction and purification, the quantity and quality of the RNA were evaluated using agarose gel electrophoresis and NanoDrop analysis. Complementary DNA (cDNA) was synthesized from the total RNA. To assess the relative expression of the target gene (GBP4L) and the reference gene (GAPDH), Real-Time PCR was performed. Data analysis was carried out using Excel and Prism software.
Results
The extracted total RNA showed clear and intact 18S and 28S rRNA bands. The RNA exhibited reasonable concentration and was free from protein and alcohol contamination. The amplification and melting curves were standard, and the presence of single bands in gel electrophoresis confirmed the specificity of the reactions. Gene expression analysis indicated that the addition of mealworm to the broiler diet had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on increasing GBP4L gene expression in spleen tissue compared to the control group.
Conclusions
Based on the findings of this study and comparison with previous research, it can be concluded that dietary supplementation with mealworm can alter the relative expression of GBP4L in the spleen tissue of broiler chickens. This modulation may enhance immune function and increase resistance to heat stress in broilers. Therefore, GBP4L may serve as a key modulator in improving immune responses, paving the way for further research with larger sample sizes and under diverse physiological and environmental conditions.

Keywords

References

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Agricultural Biotechnology Journal
Volume 17, Issue 2
May 2025
Pages 343-360

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