Impact of Housing Environment on the Immune System in Chickens: A Review

Animals

Tanja Hofmann¹  SonjaS. Schmucker¹  Volker Stefanski¹  Werner Bessei²  Michael Grashorn² 

[1] Department of Behavioral Physiology of Livestock, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr, 17, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany;Department of Livestock Population Genomics, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr, 17, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany;

关键词: poultry;    chicken;    immune system;    housing condition;    stress;    stressors;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ani10071138

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

During their lifespan, chickens are confronted with a wide range of acute and chronic stressors in their housing environment that may threaten their welfare and health by modulating the immune system. Especially chronic stressful conditions can exceed the individual’s allostatic load, with negative consequences for immunity. A fully functional immune system is mandatory for health and welfare and, consequently, also for high productivity and safe animal products. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of housing form, light regime as well as aerial ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations on the immune system in chickens. Certain housing conditions are clearly associated with immunological alterations which potentially impair the success of vaccinations or affect disease susceptibility. Such poor conditions counteract sustainable poultry production. This review also outlines current knowledge gaps and provides recommendations for future research.

【 授权许可】

Unknown