@article{yin_chen_chen_he_xia_wang_2022, title={Determination of non-phytate phosphorus requirement for slow-growing feather-frizzled broilers from 1 to 21 days of age}, volume={291}, ISSN={["1873-2216"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2022.115397}, abstractNote={The influence of dietary non-phytate phosphorous (NPP) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, bone quality and serum parameters were investigated to determine the NPP requirement of slow-growing feather-frizzled broilers aged from 1 to 21 days. A total of 480 1-day-old indigenous slow-growing male feather-frizzled broilers were assigned to 1 of 6 treatments with 8 cage replicates of 10 birds each using a completely randomized design. They were fed with corn-soybean meal-based basal diet (containing 0.13 % of NPP) supplemented with 0.00 %, 0.08 %, 0.16 %, 0.24 %, 0.32 %, and 0.40 % of inorganic phosphorus (CaHPO4.2 H2O), respectively. The experimental diets contained a constant 0.90% calcium. Results showed that body weight gain, feed intake, eviscerated carcass ratio, tibia breaking strength, tibia and toe ash or phosphorous concentrations, femoral strength and serum inorganic phosphorous concentration were affected (P < 0.010) by dietary NPP level, and showed significant quadratic responses (P < 0.030) to dietary NPP levels. The estimates of dietary NPP requirements were 0.25–0.36 % based on the best fitted broken-line or quadratic models (P < 0.029) of the above performance, serum and bone parameters. In conclusion, the NPP requirements would be about 0.25 % to obtain the optimum growth performance and carcass yield, and 0.36 % to meet bone development and P metabolism for such slow-growing feather-frizzled broilers fed a conventional corn-soybean meal diet from 1 to 21 days of age.}, journal={ANIMAL FEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY}, author={Yin, F. Q. and Chen, C. and Chen, J. W. and He, X. P. and Xia, C. M. and Wang, R. L.}, year={2022}, month={Sep} }
 @article{pokoo-aikins_timmons_min_lee_mwangi_mcdonough_chen_2022, title={Effects of Varying Levels of Dietary DL-Methionine Supplementation on Breast Meat Quality of Male and Female Broilers}, volume={1}, url={https://www.mdpi.com/2674-1164/1/1/5}, DOI={10.3390/poultry1010005}, abstractNote={This study evaluated the effects of feeding varying levels of dietary DL-methionine (MET) supplementation on breast meat (BM) quality of broilers of different sex. The 1-day-old, sexed chicks (Ross 708, 1552) were randomly allocated into four groups (each with 4 replicates) and were raised with diets supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1, or 2 g MET/kg of feed to a common weight (2.72 kg). Color, pH, drip loss (DL), water-holding capacity, moisture uptake, cooking yield (CY), texture, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and lipid oxidation (LO) were determined using BM samples harvested 24 h postmortem. The male BM had higher redness, TAC, firmness, and toughness but lower yellowness (p < 0.01) than the female BM. In both sexes, birds fed 0.5 g/kg MET had lower DL (p < 0.01) than those fed 1 and 2 g/kg MET. For storage up to 3 days, MET suppressed LO in cooked BM (p < 0.01) and suppression increased as MET increased. CY for 1 and 2 g/kg MET were higher (p < 0.01; 79.04 and 78.60%, respectively) than CY for 0 and 0.5 g/kg MET (66.18 and 68.03%, respectively). These results suggest that MET supplementation at 1 g/kg or higher for broilers can improve oxidative stability, muscle functionality, and breast meat CY.}, number={1}, journal={Poultry}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Pokoo-Aikins, Anthony and Timmons, Jennifer and Min, Byungrok Rok and Lee, William Robert and Mwangi, Samuel Njoroge and McDonough, Callie Megan and Chen, Chongxiao}, year={2022}, month={Mar}, pages={40–53} }
 @article{yamada_chen_sugiyama_kim_2021, title={Effect of Age on Bone Structure Parameters in Laying Hens}, volume={11}, ISSN={["2076-2615"]}, url={https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/2/570}, DOI={10.3390/ani11020570}, abstractNote={Changes in medullary and cortical bone structure with age remain unclear. Twenty Hy-Line W36 hens, 25 or 52 weeks of age, were euthanized, and both tibiae were collected when an egg was present in the magnum. Serial cross sections of the tibiae were stained with Alcian blue. The bones were scanned using micro-computed tomography. Trabecular width (Tb.Wi) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in 25-week-old hens, whereas medullary bone tissue volume (TV) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in 52-week-old hens. 25-week-old hens had significantly higher (p < 0.01) bone volume fraction (BVF = calcified tissue / TV). Moreover, the cortical bone parameters were significantly higher (TV and bone mineral content (BMC) at p < 0.05, and bone volume (BV) and BVF at p < 0.01) in younger hens. Open porosity and total porosity, which indicate less density, were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in older hens. Older hens showed significantly higher (p < 0.01) tibial diaphysis TV than younger hens. Younger hens had significantly higher (p < 0.01) BV, BVF and bone mineral density (BMD) of the tibial diaphysis. These findings reveal that reductions in medullary bone quality might be associated with age-related low estrogen levels and stimulation of osteoclastic bone resorption by parathyroid hormone. Cortical bone quality decreased with enlargement of the Haversian canals and loss of volume, with a longer egg-laying period leading to osteoporosis.}, number={2}, journal={ANIMALS}, author={Yamada, Masayoshi and Chen, Chongxiao and Sugiyama, Toshie and Kim, Woo Kyun}, year={2021}, month={Feb} }
 @article{pokoo-aikins_timmons_min_lee_mwangi_chen_2021, title={Effects of Feeding Varying Levels of DL-Methionine on Live Performance and Yield of Broiler Chickens}, volume={11}, ISSN={["2076-2615"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102839}, DOI={10.3390/ani11102839}, abstractNote={This study was designed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplemental DL-methionine (MET) on live performance and meat yield for broilers raised to a common weight. A total of 1552 one-day old Ross 708, sexed broilers were randomly distributed to 32 pens resulting in eight treatments (TRT) of four replicates with 44 male or 53 female/pen. A randomized complete block with a 2 × 4 (sex × 4 MET levels 0, 0.5, 1, and 2 g/kg) factorial arrangement of TRT was used. A common weight of 2400 g was approached by day 46 (1 and 2 g MET/kg feed) and day 48 (0 and 0.5 g MET/kg feed). Supplementation of MET at 1, and 2 g/kg had a lower (p < 0.01) feed conversion ratio (FCR) at day 46/48 than broilers fed 0.5 g MET/kg. Broilers without supplemental MET had the worst (p < 0.01) feed conversion and average daily gain (ADG) at day 46/48. Birds fed 0 g MET/kg of feed had lower (p < 0.05) whole eviscerated carcass without giblets (WOG), yield than birds fed 2 g MET/kg of feed. Additionally, birds fed 0 g MET/kg of feed had lower (p < 0.05) breast fillet and tender percent yields than birds fed supplemental MET. Elimination of MET from organic broiler diets resulted in reduced ADG, breast fillet yield and feed efficiency of meat yield of broilers raised to day 46/48. Reduction in MET supplementation below current levels reduced the efficiency of meat production of organic broilers raised to day 46/48.}, number={10}, journal={ANIMALS}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Pokoo-Aikins, Anthony and Timmons, Jennifer Rumsey and Min, Byungrok Rok and Lee, William Robert and Mwangi, Samuel Njoroge and Chen, Chongxiao}, year={2021}, month={Oct} }
 @article{white_adhikari_wang_chen_lee_kim_2021, title={Effects of dietary protein, energy and beta-mannanase on laying performance, egg quality, and ileal amino acid digestibility in laying hens}, volume={100}, ISSN={["1525-3171"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2021.101312}, DOI={10.1016/j.psj.2021.101312}, abstractNote={β-mannan is a nonstarch polysaccharide found in hulled and dehulled soybeans that can survive drying-toasting phase of processing soybeans and have antinutritive effects in poultry. β-mannanase is an active enzyme (endohydrolase) that can hydrolyze β-mannan to reduce its antinutritional effects. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of β-mannanase supplementation in low energy/protein diets on egg production, egg quality, and apparent ileal digestibility of the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and amino acids in 21-week-old Single Comb White Leghorn hens (Hy-Line W-36). A total of 192 hens (8 replicates of 6 hens per treatment) for a production study (Exp. 1) and a total of 64 hens (8 replicates of 2 hens per treatment) for a digestibility study (Exp. 2) were randomly allocated to 4 experimental treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Four dietary treatments were control (CS) based on corn and 44% CP soybean meal (ME: 2,850 kcal/kg CP: 18.5%) and CS-low energy/protein (CSL) (ME: 2,750 kcal/kg CP: 17.5%), with or without 0.05% β-mannanase enzyme. Hens were fed the experimental diets for 14 d for the digestibility study and 8 wk for the production study. Hen-day egg production (HDEP), weekly feed intake, FCR, and biweekly egg quality parameters were measured. Significant interaction on feed intake (P < 0.01) was observed between energy/protein and enzyme. At 3, 6 and 8 wk, the feed intake and FCR of CSL with enzyme were significantly lower than those of CSL without enzymes. The main effects indicated that birds fed diets without inclusion of β-mannanase had higher feed intake than those fed diets with enzymes at 4, 7, and 8 wk. The inclusion of β-mannanase significantly increased (P < 0.05) HDEP at 2, 3, 5, and 7 wk. However, there was no significant effect of nutrient density or enzyme supplementation on egg quality parameters. The digestibility study showed that the inclusion of β-mannanase significantly improved (P < 0.01) apparent ileal digestibility of lysine, histidine and tryptophan in the diet. The results of these experiments indicate that supplementation of β-mannanase could reduce the feed intake and FCR and improve HDEP and apparent ileal digestibility of key amino acids in corn/soy diets fed to laying hens.}, number={9}, journal={POULTRY SCIENCE}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={White, Dima and Adhikari, Roshan and Wang, Jinquan and Chen, Chongxiao and Lee, Jae Hwan and Kim, Woo Kyun}, year={2021}, month={Sep} }
 @article{sharma_white_chen_kim_adhikari_2021, title={Effects of the housing environment and laying hen strain on tibia and femur bone properties of different laying phases of Hy-Line hens}, volume={100}, url={https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.12.030}, DOI={10.1016/j.psj.2020.12.030}, abstractNote={This study aimed to determine the effect of the housing environment and laying hen strain on tibia and femur properties. A 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of 3 housing environments (conventional cages [CC], enriched colony cages [EC], and free range [FR]) and 2 laying hen strains (Hy-Line W-36 [W-36] and Hy-Line Brown [HB]) in a completely randomized design was conducted from 32 to 85 wk of age. Six left tibias were collected at 8 different time points (38, 45, 52, 59, 65, 72, 79, and 85 wk of age), whereas 6 left femurs were collected at 3 time points (38, 65, and 85 wk of age). Tibias were evaluated for tibia breaking strength (TBS) and ash percentage, whereas femurs were evaluated for bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content, bone volume as a fraction tissue volume, and porosity percentage from total, cortical, medullary, and trabecular bones. The higher TBS (P = 0.0005) and ash percentage (P = 0.045) was observed in hens raised in FR systems compared with those raised in the CC. Overall, TBS of W-36 hens was significantly greater than that of HB hens (P < 0.0001); however, there was no difference in the ash percentage between the strains (P > 0.05). An interaction between the housing environment and hen strain was observed for BMD (P = 0.04), wherein W-36 hens raised in the FR system had higher BMD than HB hens. Similarly, hens raised in FR systems had higher trabecular bone volume than those raised in CC (P = 0.022). Hen strain influenced total and cortical bone properties: BMD, bone volume as a fraction tissue volume, and porosity percentage, wherein W-36 hens had better properties than HB hens (P < 0.05). Trabecular BMD was higher in W-36 hens than in HB hens (P = 0.04), whereas bone volume was higher in HB hens (P < 0.0001). The results suggest that raising laying hens in alternative housing systems that have provision for exercise such as FR reduces structural bone loss, stimulate structural bone formation, and improve breaking strength of bones; however, it varies with the strain.}, number={3}, journal={Poultry Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Sharma, Milan K. and White, Dima and Chen, Chongxiao and Kim, Woo K. and Adhikari, Pratima}, year={2021}, month={Mar}, pages={100933} }
 @article{chen_white_marshall_kim_2021, title={Role of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D-3 and 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D-3 in Chicken Embryo Osteogenesis, Adipogenesis, Myogenesis, and Vitamin D-3 Metabolism}, volume={12}, ISSN={["1664-042X"]}, DOI={10.3389/fphys.2021.637629}, abstractNote={A study was conducted to understand the effects of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25OHD) administration on the expression of key genes related to osteogenesis, adipogenesis, myogenesis, and vitamin D3 metabolism in the chicken embryo. A total of 120 fertilized Cobb 500 eggs were used in the current study and were reared under standard incubation conditions. On embryonic day 3 (ED 3), PBS (C), PBS with 40ng 1,25OHD (1,25D-L), 200ng 1,25OHD (1,25D-H), 40ng 25OHD (25D-L), or 200ng 25OHD (25D-H) were injected into the dorsal vein of developing embryos. Whole embryos were harvested at 1, 3, and 6h post-injection for gene expression analyses (n=8). Gene expression for key osteogenesis markers (RUNX2: runt-related transcription factor 2; BMP2: bone morphogenetic protein 2; COL1A2: collagen type I alpha 2 chain; BGLAP: bone gamma-carboxyglutamate protein; SPP1: secreted phosphoprotein 1; and ALP: alkaline phosphatese), adipogenesis markers (PPAR-γ: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma; FASN: fatty acid synthase; and FABP4: fatty acid binding protein 4), myogenesis markers (MYOG: myogenin; MYOD1: myogenic differentiation 1; and MYF5: myogenic factor 5), and the enzyme responsible for vitamin D3 inactivation (CYP24A1: cytochrome P450 family 24 subfamily A member 1) were measured using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Data were normalized by the ΔΔCT method and analyzed using a one-way ANOVA. Results indicated that at 1h post-injection, no differences were found among treatments. At 3h, the early osteogenesis differentiation marker, ALP, was increased by 1,25D-H and 25D-H, and 25D-H also stimulated the expression of adipogenesis markers (FAPB4 and FASN). In contrast, the expression of myogenesis markers (MYOD1 and MYF5) was suppressed by 25OHD or 1,25OHD treatments, respectively. At 6h, a late osteogenic differentiation marker, SPP1, was increased by 25D-H. MYOD1 and MYF5 were continuously suppressed by 25OHD treatments or 1,25D-H. The evidence of vitamin D3 metabolite retention was assessed by measuring CYP24A1 expression. At 1h, there were no differences in CYP24A1 expression. At 3h, all treatments upregulated CYP24A1 expression relative to control (PBS) embryos. However, at 6h, only the 25D-H group retained higher CYP24A1 expression compared to the other treatments. In conclusion, the results suggested both 1,25OHD and 25OHD induced chicken embryo osteogenesis and adipogenesis, but inhibited myogenesis during early chicken embryo development. The higher dosage of 25OHD showed a possibility of a longer retention time in the embryos.}, journal={FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY}, author={Chen, Chongxiao and White, Dima Lynn and Marshall, Brett and Kim, Woo Kyun}, year={2021}, month={Feb} }
 @article{moseti_regassa_chen_karmin_kim_2020, title={25-Hydroxycholesterol Inhibits Adipogenic Differentiation of C3H10T1/2 Pluripotent Stromal Cells}, volume={21}, url={https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/2/412}, DOI={10.3390/ijms21020412}, abstractNote={Understanding of adipogenesis is important to find remedies for obesity and related disorders. In addition, it is also critical in bone disorders because there is a reciprocal relationship between adipogenesis and osteogenesis in bone micro-environment. Oxysterols are pro-osteogenic and anti-adipogenic molecules via hedgehog activation in pluripotent bone marrow stomal cells. However, no study has evaluated the role of specific oxysterols in C3H10T1/2 cells, which are a good cell model for studying osteogenesis and adipogenesis in bone-marrows. Thus, we investigated the effects of specific oxysterols on adipogenesis and expression of adipogenic transcripts in C3H10T1/2 cells. Treatment of cells with DMITro significantly induced mRNA expression of Pparγ. This induction was significantly inhibited by 25-HC. The expression of C/cepα, Fabp4 and Lpl was also inhibited by 25-HC. To determine the mechanism by which 25-HC inhibits adipogenesis, the effects of the hedgehog signalling pathway inhibitor, cyclopamine and CUR61414, were evaluated. Treatment of C3H10T1/2 cells with DMITro + cyclopamine or DMITro + CUR61414 for 96h did not modulate adipocyte differentiation; cyclopamine and CUR61414 did not reverse the inhibitory effects of 25-HC, suggesting that the canonical hedgehog signalling may not play a role in the anti-adipogenic effects of 25-HC in C3H10T1/2 cells. In addition, LXR agonist did not inhibit adipogenesis, but 25-HC strongly inhibits adipogenesis of C3H10T1/2 cells. Our observations showed that 25-HC was the most potent oxysterol in inhibiting adipogenesis and the expression of key adipogenic transcripts in C3H10T1/2 cells among the tested oxysterols, suggesting its potential application in providing an intervention in osteoporosis and obesity. We also report that the inhibitory effects of 25-HC on adipogenic differentiation in C3H10T1/2 cells are not mediated by hedgehog signaling and LXR.}, number={2}, journal={International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Moseti, Dorothy and Regassa, Alemu and Chen, Chongxiao and Karmin, O and Kim, Woo Kyun}, year={2020}, month={Jan}, pages={412} }
 @article{adhikari_chen_kim_2020, title={Effect of 20(S)-Hydroxycholesterol on Multilineage Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Isolated from Compact Bones in Chicken}, volume={11}, ISSN={["2073-4425"]}, DOI={10.3390/genes11111360}, abstractNote={Bone health and body weight gain have significant economic and welfare importance in the poultry industry. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are common progenitors of different cell lineages such as osteoblasts, adipocytes, and myocytes. Specific oxysterols have shown to be pro-osteogenic and anti-adipogenic in mouse and human MSCs. To determine the effect of 20(S)-hydroxycholesterol (20S) on osteogenic, adipogenic, and myogenic differentiation in chicken, mesenchymal stem cells isolated from compact bones of broiler chickens (cBMSCs) were subjected to various doses of 20S, and markers of lineage-specific mRNA were analyzed using real-time PCR and cell cytochemistry. Further studies were conducted to evaluate the molecular mechanisms involved in lineage-specific differentiation pathways. Like human and mouse MSCs, 20S oxysterol expressed pro-osteogenic, pro-myogenic, and anti-adipogenic differentiation potential in cBMSCs. Moreover, 20(S)-Hydroxycholesterol induced markers of osteogenic genes and myogenic regulatory factors when exposed to cBMSCs treated with their specific medium. In contrast, 20S oxysterol suppressed expression of adipogenic marker genes when exposed to cBMSCs treated with OA, an adipogenic precursor of cBMSCs. To elucidate the molecular mechanism by which 20S exerts its differentiation potential in all three lineages, we focused on the hedgehog signaling pathway. The hedgehog inhibitor, cyclopamine, completely reversed the effect of 20S induced expression of osteogenic and anti-adipogenic mRNA. However, there was no change in the mRNA expression of myogenic genes. The results showed that 20S oxysterol promotes osteogenic and myogenic differentiation and decreases adipocyte differentiation of cBMSCs. This study also showed that the induction of osteogenesis and adipogenesis inhibition in cBMSCs by 20S is mediated through the hedgehog signaling mechanism. The results indicated that 20(S) could play an important role in the differentiation of chicken-derived MSCs and provided the theory basis on developing an intervention strategy to regulate skeletal, myogenic, and adipogenic differentiation in chicken, which will contribute to improving chicken bone health and meat quality. The current results provide the rationale for the further study of regulatory mechanisms of bioactive molecules on the differentiation of MSCs in chicken, which can help to address skeletal health problems in poultry.}, number={11}, journal={GENES}, author={Adhikari, Roshan and Chen, Chongxiao and Kim, Woo Kyun}, year={2020}, month={Nov} }
 @article{santos_teng_yadav_castro_gould_craig_chen_fuller_pazdro_sartori_et al._2020, title={Effects of Inorganic Zn and Cu Supplementation on Gut Health in Broiler Chickens Challenged With Eimeria spp.}, volume={7}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85084462648&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.3389/fvets.2020.00230}, abstractNote={An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of inorganic copper and zinc on growth performance, intestinal permeability, intestinal lesion scores, oocyst shedding, antioxidant properties and bone quality in broilers challenged with Eimeria spp. A total of 360 d-old male Cobb broiler chickens were housed in floor cages for 12 days at the Poultry Research Center. At 12 days of age, birds were placed in grower Petersime batteries and distributed in a completely randomized design with 10 birds per cage, six replicates per treatment, and six treatments. There were six corn-soybean meal-based dietary treatments: non-challenged control (NC), challenged control (CC), 100 ppm Cu (100 Cu), 150 ppm Cu (150 Cu), 80 ppm Zn (80 Zn), and 100 ppm Zn (100 Zn). Broilers received the treatment diets for 9 days (12–20d). Birds, except NC, were challenged with Eimeria maxima (50,000 oocysts/bird), Eimeria tenella (50,000 oocysts/bird), and Eimeria acervulina (250,000 oocysts/bird) on 14d. On 20d, the growth performance was recorded, and one bird/cage was used for analysis of intestinal permeability, antioxidant properties and bone quality. Lesion score was recorded at 20 days of age in eight birds/cage. The means were subjected to ANOVA and, when significant, compared by Duncan's test. Intestinal permeability was significantly improved when birds received the 100 Zn diet (P < 0.05). In addition, lesion scores on duodenum were reduced when broilers received diets 150 Cu as compared to CC diet (P < 0.05). However, growth performance was not positively influenced by inclusion of inorganic minerals as compared to the NC diet. Furthermore, activity of superoxide dismutase and bone quality were not affected, whereas glutathione status was improved with mineral supplementation in all groups. This study showed that Cu and Zn supplementation improves intestinal integrity during the Eimeria spp. infection, suggesting that Cu and Zn supplementation would be a potential strategy to reduce detrimental effects of Eimeria infection in broilers.}, journal={Frontiers in Veterinary Science}, author={Santos, T.S.D. and Teng, P.-Y. and Yadav, S. and Castro, F.L.D.S. and Gould, R.L. and Craig, S.W. and Chen, C. and Fuller, A.L. and Pazdro, R. and Sartori, J.R. and et al.}, year={2020} }
 @article{ma_xu_li_wei_kim_chen_sun_fu_wang_li_2020, title={Effects of alpha-lipoic acid on the behavior, serum indicators, and bone quality of broilers under stocking density stress}, volume={99}, url={https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.05.007}, DOI={10.1016/j.psj.2020.05.007}, abstractNote={The objective of present study was to investigate the effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) dietary supplementation on the behavior, physiological and oxidant stress indicators, and bone quality in broilers under high stocking density (HSD) stress. A total of one thousand eight hundred 22-day-old Arbor Acres male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 18 pens (2.97 × 2.03 m) in 3 groups: 14 birds/m2 (NSD, normal stocking density) or 18 birds/m2 (HSD) or 18 birds/m2 plus 300 mg/kg ALA dietary supplement (HSD + ALA, high stocking density + alpha-lipoic acid). Each treatment had 6 replicates, and the experiment lasted 3 wk. The HSD group was significantly lower than the NSD group (P < 0.05) in the frequency of eating, walking, and preening behavior. The alkaline phosphatase activity and serum calcium content were significantly higher, and the parathyroid hormone (PTH) level was significantly lower in the HSD group than in the NSD group (P < 0.05). When compared with the NSD group, the HSD group showed an increase (P < 0.05) in serum heterophil/lymphocyte ratio (H/L ratio), corticosterone (CORT), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and catalase (CAT) activity, whereas a decrease (P < 0.05) in total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) concentrations. The HSD group was also significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the NSD group in the tibia and femur breaking strength, bone mineral density, and BMC. Importantly, the addition of ALA into the diets of the HSD group enabled the HSD + ALA group to recover to the levels of NSD group (P > 0.05) in the standing and preening behavior, alkaline phosphatase activity, PTH concentration, H/L ratio, CAT, T-AOC, MDA, SOD, and GSH-Px. These results indicate that the increase of stocking density lowered the bone quality, increased the physiological and oxidative stress indicators, and modified the behavior of broilers, whereas ALA dietary supplementation could counteract the reduction in the performance and physiological responses of broilers under high-density environmental stress.}, number={10}, journal={Poultry Science}, author={Ma, Huihui and Xu, Bin and Li, Wenjia and Wei, Fengxian and Kim, Woo Kyun and Chen, Chongxiao and Sun, Quanyou and Fu, Chen and Wang, Gaili and Li, Shaoyu}, year={2020}, month={Oct}, pages={4653–4661} }
 @article{su_wang_chen_suh_azain_kim_2020, title={Fatty Acid Composition and Regulatory Gene Expression in Late-Term Embryos of ACRB and COBB Broilers}, volume={7}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85087727044&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.3389/fvets.2020.00317}, abstractNote={Cobb broilers (COBB) have been heavily selected for their production performance in the past several decades, while the Athens Canadian Random Bred (ACRB) chickens, a meat-type breed, have been kept as a non-selected control strain. The purpose of this study was to compare these two lines of chickens at late embryonic development and identify the molecular markers and fatty acid profiles underlining their differences in growth performance due to selection. Fertilized eggs of the ACRB (n = 6) and COBB (n = 6) were used at 14 and 18 embryonic days. Genes involved in lipogenesis and myogenesis were measured using quantitative real-time reverse transcroption-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and fatty acid (FA) compositions of egg yolk, muscle, and liver were measured using gas chromatography. COBB had higher egg weight, embryo weight, and breast and fat ratio. The gene expression in the liver showed an interaction between age and breed on FASN expression, with the highest level in COBB at E18. ACRB had higher ApoB and MTTP expression, but lower SREBP-1 expression compared to COBB. No difference was found in myogenesis gene expression in the muscle between two breeds. For the FA composition, muscle was largely affected by both breed and age. Yolk and liver were affected mainly by breed and age, respectively. Constant interaction effects in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), indicating the highest level in all the tested tissues of ACRB at E14 and the constant main effects with higher myristic, palmitic, and gondoic, but lower linolenic acid in the liver and yolk of COBB compared to the levels in those of ACRB. Finally, fat accumulation in the liver had no obvious difference between the breeds but was higher when embryo was older. In conclusion, broiler breed affects egg, embryo, and tissue weight, as well as FA composition in initial egg yolk and throughout the embryonic development. The highest docosahexaenoic percentage was observed in ACRB, indicating that genetic selection may result in fatty acid profile changes such as lower DHA content in chicken tissues and eggs.}, journal={Frontiers in Veterinary Science}, author={Su, S. and Wang, Y. and Chen, C. and Suh, M. and Azain, M. and Kim, W.K.}, year={2020} }
 @article{aranibar_chen_davis_daley_dunkley_kim_usher_webster_wilson_2020, title={Impact of an alternate feeding program on broiler breeder pullet behavior, performance, and plasma corticosterone}, volume={99}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85078194382&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1016/j.psj.2019.12.025}, abstractNote={Broiler breeders are commonly feed restricted using some variation of skip-a-day feeding to prevent excessive body weight (BW) gain and poor flock uniformity that results in lower production levels. However, the level of feed restriction has increased leading to negative effects on broiler breeder welfare. Research needs to be conducted to evaluate alternative feeding programs to diminish the negative impact of restricted feeding on bird welfare. This research examined pullets that were fed soybean hulls (alternate day feeding, ATD) on the off day of a traditional skip-a-day feeding program in comparison to the standard skip-a-day program (SAD). The 2 dietary feeding treatments each had 3 replicate pens of 210 pullets each and were fed from wk 5 to 21 of age. Nitrogen-corrected true metabolizable energy and digestible amino acid coefficients of soybean hulls were determined. Body weight in the ATD feed program was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than the birds on the SAD feed program until 16 wk of age. Feed allocations for the SAD feeding program was increased at 11 wk of age to achieve similar BW prior to photo stimulation. The ATD feed program significantly improved BW uniformity of the birds for weeks 8, 12, 16, and 20. Hens fed on the SAD feed program had a lower mean egg production than the hens fed on the ATD program. There were significant differences on plasma corticosterone concentrations between the feeding days (24 or 48 h after feeding) in both feed programs. There was a shift in the behavior of the birds with significant differences in the feeding, foraging, and comfort behaviors between the feeding programs on the same feed day. Overall, feeding the ATD females soybean hulls on the off feed day improved the BW uniformity and egg production, but further research will be needed to determine potential differences in nutrient utilization or behavior of the pullets that positively impacted this flock performance.}, number={2}, journal={Poultry Science}, author={Aranibar, C.D. and Chen, C. and Davis, A.J. and Daley, W.I. and Dunkley, C. and Kim, W.K. and Usher, C. and Webster, A.B. and Wilson, J.L.}, year={2020}, pages={829–838} }
 @article{chen_turner_applegate_litta_kim_2020, title={Role of long-term supplementation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 on egg production and egg quality of laying hen}, volume={9}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.09.020}, DOI={10.1016/j.psj.2020.09.020}, abstractNote={A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD) on pullet and egg-laying hen growth performance, egg production, and egg quality. Three hundred and ninety 1-day-old Hy-Line W36 pullets were randomly allocated to 3 treatments with 10 replicated cages and 13 birds per cage. Dietary treatments were vitamin D3 at 2,760 IU/kg (D); vitamin D3 at 5,520 IU/kg (DD), and vitamin D3 at 2,760 IU/kg plus 25OHD at 2,760 IU (69 μg)/kg (25D). Body weight and feed intake were recorded at the end of each stage: starter 1 (0–3 wk), starter 2 (4–6 wk), grower (7–12 wk), developer (13–15 wk), prelay (15–17 wk), peaking (18–38 wk), layer 2 (39–48 wk), layer 3 (49–60 wk), layer 4 (61–75 wk), and layer 5 (76–95 wk). Egg production was recorded daily. Egg quality was evaluated every 8 wk starting from 25 wk. There was no difference in growth performance during the rearing period (0–17 wk). In the laying period (18–95 wk), DD showed lower feed intake at layer 2, but higher intake at layer 3 along with lower hen day production (HDP) from 22 to 48 wk compared to the other treatments. During the same period, the DD group laid smaller eggs with higher specific gravity and shell thickness compared with the other treatments or D alone at 40 wk, which may be partly due to the lower body weight. In contrast, 25D had better feed conversion ratio (feed intake per dozen of eggs) at layer 2, and higher overall (22–60 wk) HDP compared with DD. For the egg quality analysis, at 25 and 33 wk, both DD and 25D had higher Haugh unit compared with D. However, 25OHD has no effects on eggshell quality during the entire production period and no beneficial effects on egg production during the later laying period (after 60 wk). In summary, long-term and early supplementation of 25OHD has positive effects on egg production and egg quality, and the beneficial effects were mainly observed during the early laying stage.}, journal={Poultry Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Chen, C. and Turner, B. and Applegate, T.J. and Litta, Gilberto and Kim, W.K.}, year={2020}, month={Sep} }
 @article{chen_turner_applegate_litta_kim_2020, title={Role of long-term supplementation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D<inf>3</inf> on laying hen bone 3-dimensional structural development}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85091713299&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1016/j.psj.2020.06.080}, abstractNote={Egg-laying hens have a unique bone development pattern due to the medullary bone formation and high bone turnover rate. The role of long-term supplementation of an intermediate form of vitamin D3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD), on skeletal development of pullets and laying hens is not well established. Exploring its effects on layer bone development will help develop a strategy for preventing laying hen osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of long-term supplementation of 25OHD in layer diets on bone 3-dimensional structural development. A total of 390 1-day-old Hy-Line W36 pullets were randomly allocated to 3 treatments with 10 replicate cages and 13 birds/cage. Dietary treatments were 1) vitamin D3 at 2,760 IU/kg, 2) vitamin D3 at 5,520 IU/kg, and 3) vitamin D3 at 2,760 IU/kg plus 25OHD at 2,760 IU (69 μg)/kg. The level of 25OHD in the serum was tested throughout the whole experimental period (0–95 wk). Bone growth rate (BGR) was measured at 10 wk using a calcein injection technique. Femurs were scanned using Micro-CT for 3D structural analysis, and the whole-body composition analysis was performed using a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry method at 17, 60, and 95 wk. Dietary supplementation of 25OHD significantly increased 25OHD level in the serum from 0 to 95 wk. During the rearing period (0–17 wk), 25OHD increased BGR, cortical tissue volume, and bone marrow area at 17 wk, simultaneously. 25OHD created more pores in cortical bone, which resulted in a lower cortical bone mineral density (BMD) but without alerting bone mineral content (BMC). This effect allowed more space for mineral deposition in bones during the later egg-laying period. At 60 wk, the 25OHD group had significantly greater BMD, which led to the highest total BMC, cortical volume, and trabecular bone connectivity. At 95 wk, the birds fed 25OHD had significantly higher cortical bone volume and lower porosity. The 25OHD group also had higher total BMD and medullary bone volume but a lower BMC and volume of trabecular bone than vitamin D3 or double dosage vitamin D3 treatment. This indicated that the bone resorption rate was lower in cortical bone than that in trabecular bone in the late laying period. In conclusion, supplementation with dietary 25OHD could stimulate bone growth and increase bone volume in pullets to provide more space for mineral deposition during the laying period with positive effects on laying hen bone quality.}, journal={Poultry Science}, author={Chen, C. and Turner, B. and Applegate, T.J. and Litta, G. and Kim, W.K.}, year={2020} }
 @article{chen_kim_2020, title={The application of micro-CT in egg-laying hen bone analysis: introducing an automated bone separation algorithm}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85092132897&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1016/j.psj.2020.08.047}, abstractNote={The application of micro-CT in small animal research, especially on bone health, has risen exponentially in recent years. However, its application in egg-laying hen bone analysis was still limited. This review introduces the technical aspects of micro-CT in egg-laying hen bone analysis, especially with the medullary bones presented in the cavity. In order to acquate application of micro-CT for laying hen bone research, image acquisition, reconstruction, and analysis settings need to be adjusted properly. The key difference regarding the application of micro-CT in laying hen bone compared to other small animals such as mice and rats was the larger bone size and more complex structures of medullary and trabecular bones. In order to analyze the details of laying hen bone structures, the volume of interest for laying hen should be selected at a region where all 3 bones are present (critical, trabecular, and medullary bone). Owing to the complexity of bone structures, the conventional techniques are not useful to distinguish the trabecular bone and medullary bone in laying hens accurately. In the current review, an automated segmentation algorithm is described to allow researchers to segment bone compartments without human bias. The algorithm is designed according to the morphology difference of medullary bones compared to trabecular and cortical bones. In this procedure, the loosely woven bones were separated by applying dual thresholds. The medullary calcium chunks were separated by opening or closing procedures, where we defined the diameter of medullary chunks being higher than the trabecular bone thickness as a separation trait. The application of micro-CT in laying hen bone health assessment will significantly expand our understanding of chicken bone physiology and osteoporosis, contributing to improve welfare in laying hens.}, journal={Poultry Science}, author={Chen, C. and Kim, W.K.}, year={2020} }
 @article{chen_jung_kim_2019, title={Effects of lysophospholipid on growth performance, carcass yield, intestinal development, and bone quality in broilers}, volume={98}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85071706388&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.3382/ps/pez111}, abstractNote={A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementing different levels of lysophospholipid (LPL) to normal or reduced energy diets on growth performance, carcass yield, intestinal morphology, and skeletal development in broilers. A total of 960 one-day-old Cobb 500 male birds were allocated using a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement with 2 energy levels (NE: normal and RE: 100 kcal/kg metabolizable energy reduction) and 4 LPL supplement levels (0, 0.025, 0.050, and 0.075%). Three diet phases were fed throughout the trial: starter (days 0 to 7), grower (days 8 to 21), and finisher (days 22 to 42) phases. Body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio were calculated at the end of each phase. At day 7 and 21, duodenum and jejunum samples were collected for intestinal morphology and claudin-3 expression analyses, and tibia were sampled for bone quality analyses. At day 42, 4 birds per replicate were selected to measure carcass yield. The results showed low metabolizable energy diets impaired bird's growth performance, intestine development, and bone quality. The 0.075% LPL supplement in NE improved BW, BW gain, and FI in the finisher and overall period compared with no LPL supplement in NE (P < 0.05). In RE, the 0.025% LPL supplement significantly improved growth performance compared to the other treatments in RE (P < 0.05). The interactions on processing parameters were detected with LPL supplement in NE diets; 0.025, 0.05, and 0.075% LPL supplements significantly increased pectoral major percentages compared to the one without LPL supplement in NE (P < 0.05). The 0.075% LPL supplement increased dressing percentage (cold carcass weight/live BW) compared with the others (P < 0.05). The intestine morphology results showed LPL had positive effects on intestine development mainly during the early age (day 7) and claudin-3 expression at both day 7 and 21. Furthermore, LPL supplement significantly increased the total Ca and P deposition and positively affected the bone structure development. In summary, dietary LPL supplementation promoted growth performance, carcass yield, intestinal development, intestinal health, and bone quality.}, number={9}, journal={Poultry Science}, author={Chen, C. and Jung, B. and Kim, W.K.}, year={2019}, pages={3902–3913} }
 @article{adhikari_chen_waters_west_kim_2019, title={Isolation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells from broiler chicken compact bones}, volume={10}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85065466098&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.3389/fphys.2018.01892}, abstractNote={Chicken mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be used as an avian culture model to better understand osteogenic, adipogenic, and myogenic pathways and to identify unique bioactive nutrients and molecules which can promote or inhibit these pathways. MSCs could also be used as a model to study various developmental, physiological, and therapeutic processes in avian and other species. MSCs are multipotent stem cells that are capable of differentiation into bone, muscle, fat, and closely related lineages and express unique and specific cell surface markers. MSCs have been isolated from numerous sources including human, mouse, rabbit, and chicken with potential clinical and agricultural applications. MSCs from chicken compact bones have not been isolated and characterized yet. In this study, MSCs were isolated from compact bones of the femur and tibia of day-old male broiler chicks to investigate the biological characteristics of the isolated cells. Isolated cells took 8–10 days to expand, demonstrated a monolayer growth pattern and were plastic adherent. Putative MSCs were spindle-shaped with elongated ends and showed rapid proliferation. MSCs demonstrated osteoblastic, adipocytic, and myogenic differentiation when induced with specific differentiation media. Cell surface markers for MSCs such as CD90, CD105, CD73, CD44 were detected positive and CD31, CD34, and CD45 cells were detected negative by PCR assay. The results suggest that MSCs isolated from broiler compact bones (cBMSCs) possess similar biological characteristics as MSCs isolated from other chicken tissue sources.}, number={JAN}, journal={Frontiers in Physiology}, author={Adhikari, R. and Chen, C. and Waters, E. and West, F.D. and Kim, W.K.}, year={2019} }
 @article{kumar_chen_indugu_werlang_singh_kim_thippareddi_2018, title={Effect of antibiotic withdrawal in feed on chicken gut microbial dynamics, immunity, growth performance and prevalence of foodborne pathogens}, volume={13}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85042152101&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1371/journal.pone.0192450}, abstractNote={Development of antibiotic resistance in foodborne pathogens, Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter, is a public health concern. Public demand to reduce the use of sub-therapeutic antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in poultry feeding has resulted in greater adoption of antibiotic-free poultry production systems. There is a need to understand the effects of AGP removal from poultry feed on gut microbiota and its impact on prevalence of foodborne pathogens. The effect of antibiotic withdrawal from poultry feed on gut microbial community, host performance and immunity, and prevalence of Salmonella and Campylobacter was evaluated. Birds were raised on three phase diets (starter [d0-22], grower [d23-35] and finisher [d36-42]) with and without bacitracin dimethyl salicyclate (BMD). At early growth stage, bird performance was improved (P ≤ 0.05) with BMD treatment, whereas performance was better (P ≤ 0.05) in control group (no BMD in the feed) at the time of commercial processing. Acetate and butyrate production was affected (P ≤ 0.05) by age, whereas propionate production was affected (P ≤ 0.05) by both the treatment and age. The bacterial communities in the cecum were more diverse (P ≤ 0.001) and rich compared to the ileal communities, and they shifted in parallel to one another as the chicks matured. Differences in diversity and species richness were not observed (P > 0.05) between the BMD-fed and control groups. Comparing all ages, treatments and diets, the composition of cecal and ileal bacterial communities was different (P ≤ 0.001). Inclusion of BMD in the feed did not affect the bacterial phyla. However, predictable shift in the ileal and cecal bacterial population at lower taxonomic level was observed in control vs BMD-fed group. Cytokines gene expression (IL-10, IL-4, IFN-γ, beta-defensin, and TLR-4) was affected (P≤ 0.05) in the BMD-fed group at early stages of growth. The prevalence of foodborne pathogens, Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. showed higher abundance in the ilea of BMD-fed chicks compared to control group. Overall, this study provided insight of the impact of AGP supplementation in the feed on gut microbial modulations, bird performance, host immunity and pathogen prevalence. This information can assist in designing alternative strategies to replace antibiotics in modern poultry production and for food safety.}, number={2}, journal={PLoS ONE}, author={Kumar, S. and Chen, C. and Indugu, N. and Werlang, G.O. and Singh, M. and Kim, W.K. and Thippareddi, H.}, year={2018} }
 @article{duran_chen_kim_2018, title={Effects of vitamin d and calcium for the prevention of osteoporosis at various stages of life of laying hens-review}, volume={17}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85055516810&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.3923/ijps.2018.405.409}, abstractNote={Laying hens have been selected for high egg production in a prolonged period.This has negatively affected the health of laying hens, specifically in weakening their bones to the point of developing osteoporosis.Nutrients such as vitamin D and calcium have been studied in order to find a prevention for osteoporosis.The objective of this review was to examine the effects of these nutrients on bone turnover in laying hens in order to find a prevention for osteoporosis through nutritional strategies.Several studies have demonstrated that particulate forms of calcium enhance the absorption of calcium, and thus incorporation of calcium into the bone.Vitamin D has been shown to play a decisive role in blood calcium concentration, and osteoclast activity to break down bone; however, vitamin D continues to play a critical role in laying hen reproduction and is thus necessary.Further research should be done on the ideal concentration of particulate calcium sources and vitamin D in laying hens in order to maintain healthy bone strength and metabolism during the egg laying period.}, number={9}, journal={International Journal of Poultry Science}, author={Duran, M.R. and Chen, C. and Kim, W.K.}, year={2018}, pages={405–409} }
 @article{regassa_suh_datar_chen_kim_2017, title={Fatty Acids Have Different Adipogenic Differentiation Potentials in Stromal Vascular Cells Isolated from Abdominal Fat in Laying Hens}, volume={52}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85028269029&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1007/s11745-017-4261-2}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={6}, journal={Lipids}, author={Regassa, A. and Suh, M. and Datar, J. and Chen, C. and Kim, W.K.}, year={2017}, pages={513–522} }
 @article{she_wang_chen_zhu_xia_hu_li_2012, title={Effects of Aluminum on immune functions of cultured splenic T and B lymphocytes in rats}, volume={147}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84861632854&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1007/s12011-011-9307-3}, abstractNote={The effects of Aluminum (Al) exposure on immune functions of cultured splenic T and B lymphocytes of rats were studied. The lymphocytes were isolated from spleen of healthy male Wistar rats weighing 110-120 g. The cultured cells in RPMI-1640 medium were exposed to 0 (control group), 0.035 (low-dose group), 0.07 (medial-dose group), and 0.14 (high-dose group) mg/mL Al(3+) as aluminum trichloride (AlCl(3)) in an incubator under 5% CO(2) at 37°C for 24 h. The T and B lymphocyte proliferation was measured with a tetrazolium dye colorimetric assay. The levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were determined by iodine [(125)I] IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α radioimmunoassay kits, respectively. The proportions of CD3(+), CD4(+), and CD8(+) T lymphocytes were measured with a flow cytometer. The results showed that the T and B lymphocyte proliferation, the levels of IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, the proportions of CD3(+) and CD4(+) T lymphocytes, and the ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) T lymphocytes were lowered by Al treatments, while the proportion of CD8(+) T lymphocytes was increased. These findings indicate that Al exposure can inhibit the immune functions of splenic T and B lymphocytes of rats in vitro.}, number={1-3}, journal={Biological Trace Element Research}, author={She, Y. and Wang, N. and Chen, C. and Zhu, Y. and Xia, S. and Hu, C. and Li, Y.}, year={2012}, pages={246–250} }
 @article{zhu_li_chen_wang_li_hu_li_miao_2012, title={Effects of aluminum trichloride on the trace elements and cytokines in the spleen of rats}, volume={50}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84862751190&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1016/j.fct.2012.05.041}, abstractNote={The bioaccumulation and immunotoxicity of aluminum (Al) have been previously documented. Al accumulates in the organs of the organism, including spleen. Spleen is a peripheral organ of the immune system. The accumulated Al may alter the immune function. Here, we investigated the bioaccumulation of Al in spleen and its alterations in the immune system. Forty male Wistar rats (5 weeks old) weighed 110–120 g were orally exposed to aluminum trichloride (AlCl3) (0, 64.18, 128.36 and 256.72 mg/kg body weight) in drinking water for 120 days. The concentrations of spleen’s Al, iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and growth index were examined at the end of the experiment. The results showed that the concentrations of Al and Cu in the spleen were increased in an AlCl3-dose dependent manner, and the concentrations of spleen’s growth index, Fe, Zn, IL-2 and TNF-α were reduced in AlCl3-treated rats. The results suggest that AlCl3 can suppress the growth of spleen, disorder the balance of trace elements and inhibit the immune regulation of cytokines in the spleen. It indicates that AlCl3 suppresses the immune function of spleen.}, number={8}, journal={Food and Chemical Toxicology}, author={Zhu, Y. and Li, X. and Chen, C. and Wang, F. and Li, J. and Hu, C. and Li, Y. and Miao, L.}, year={2012}, pages={2911–2915} }