The effect of transport stress on turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) liver acute phase proteins gene expression

•The effect of transport stress on acute phase protein expression was investigated.•Four acute phase proteins were targeted: AGP, CRP, SAA and PIT54.•Two hour transport induces the upregulation of AGP and CRP in turkey liver.•SAA and PIT54 were not upregulated.•The presence of AGP in turkey liver was confirmed by immunohistiochemistry.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of transport-related stress on the liver gene expression of four acute phase proteins (APP), namely α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Serum Amyloid A (SAA) and PIT54, in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). A group of seven BUT BIG 6 commercial hens was subjected to a two-hour long road transportation and the quantitative gene expression of APP in the liver was compared to that of a non transported control group. The expression of AGP and CRP mRNA was found to be increased in animals slaughtered after road transport. The presence of AGP protein was also confirmed by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The results of this study showed that road-transport may induce the mRNA expression of immune related proteins. The finding that AGP and CRP can be upregulated during transport could suggest their use as for the assessment of turkey welfare during transport.