High temperature induces various metabolic disturbances in animals. However, no comprehensive information is currently available on the metabolic pathway affected by high environmental temperature. The present study examined metabolite content in the serum of heat challenged quails using metabolomic analysis. In the present study, female quails with normal laying rate at 20 weeks kept in standard condition (control group) or exposed to 34°C 4 hr per day (12:00 to 16:00 hr)(heat group) for 10 consecutive days. The metabolomic analysis identified 165 metabolites in the serum, and significant differences were observed in the serum for 7 metabolites between two groups. An analysis by MetaboAnalyst, a web-based metabolome data tool, indicate that high temperature affect ketone body metabolism, butyrate metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism. Furthermore, histological examination of liver indicates a heat challenge induced abnormal lipid metabolism. Triglyceride and cholesterol level in the liver increased, however cholesterol level decreased in the serum. Genes related to lipid metabolism significantly increased in the liver after heat challenge. The present study demonstrated that high temperature cause liver damage, thus lipid metabolic was affected. Protect liver under high temperature could be one solution for coping with high temperatures in summer.
Keywords: Japanese quail; heat challenge; lipid metabolism; liver; serum metabolite.