Age-related changes in the area of liver hepatocytes of turkey embryos under the influence of red monochromatic light

The search for new safe non-medicinal methods of influencing the incubation of farm bird eggs remains an urgent topic in the scientific community to this day. One of these is the use of a certain spectrum of light during incubation. To date, most of the studies conducted on the effect of the light factor relate to the post-incubation ontogenesis of poultry. This article is a fragment of a scientific study devoted to the study of the effect of red monochromatic illumination on liver morphogenesis in turkey embryos. The aim of the study was to determine the dynamics of changes in the area of liver hepatocytes in turkey embryos during different incubation periods under the influence of the light factor. During the entire incubation period of the turkey egg, LED lighting sources in the red range of the spectrum were used in the experimental group. The control group was incubated without lighting. The embryonic liver was obtained from 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27- day-old turkey embryos. The area of hepatocytes was determined on histological preparations. Analysis of the results showed that the dynamics of changes in the area of liver cells in both groups was undulating with a tendency to increase the area of hepatocytes by the end of incubation – 27 days, when the area of hepatocytes in the control and experimental groups was almost at the same level with a difference of 0,7%, in favor of the experimental group. The lowest value of the area of hepatocytes during the observation period in the control group was recorded at 17 and 19 days of age, and in the experimental group at 19 days of age. The maximum area of liver cells in both groups was observed at the age of 27 days. The data obtained contribute to understanding the mechanisms of photoregulation of liver tissue growth.

1. Intermittent lighting mode for laying turkeys / F. F. Alekseev, A.V. Nupreichik, V. A. Timchenko, L. P. Kokaulina // Collection of scientific papers VNITIP / AllRussian Scientific Research and Technological Institute of Poultry Breeding RAS. Volume 81. Sergiev Posad: AllRussian Scientific Research and Technological Institute of Poultry Farming, 2006. P. 50—55.

2. The influence of growing turkeys and turkeys under various light conditions on their reproductive qualities / M. F. Zonov, S. S. Sadovshchikova, E. A. Popova [et al.] // Improving the productive and breeding qualities of farm animals: the 74th scientific and practical conference dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Stavropol State Agrarian University, Stavropol, April 14—15, 2010. Stavropol: AGRUS Publishing House, 2010. pp. 141—143.

3. Influence of LED bulb on reproductive and production performance of different poultry species: a review / O. M. Oso, K. Metowogo, O. E. Oke, K. Tona // World’s Poultry Science Journal. — 2022. — Vol. 78, No. 2. — P. 515—529.

4. Boronin, V. V. Lighting mode during incubation as a factor in improving the health and productivity of broiler chickens / V. V. Boronin, V. G. Semenov, V. G. Tyurin // Bulletin of the Chuvash State Agrarian University. — 2023. — № 2(25). — P. 80—84. DOI 10.48612/vch/z5f6-kga7-btg8.

5. Bartz, B. The LED wavelength, lighting intensity, feather coverage, and novelty inclusion in turkey hens / B. Bartz, J. L. Grimes // Ger. J. Vet. Res. — 2022. — Vol. 2, No. 3. — P. 8—16.

6. Dubrovsky, A. A. The use of artificial lighting sources with a different spectrum of light in the cultivation of laying hens / A. A. Dubrovsky, V. V. Alifanova // Current issues of agricultural biology. — 2023. — № 4(30). — P. 45—51.

7. Çapar Akyüz, H. Light wavelength on different poultry species / H. Çapar Akyüz, E. E. Onbaşilar // World’s Poultry Science Journal. — 2018. — Vol. 74, No. 1. — P. 79—88.

8. Applegate, T. J. Effect of hen age, body weight, and age at photostimulation. 2. Embryonic characteristics of commercial turkeys / T. J. Applegate, M. S. Lilburn // Poult. Sci. — 1998. — Vol. 77. — P. 439—444.

9. Effects of Red and Blue Light during the Incubation of Turkey Eggs on Hatchability Performance and Expression Pattern of Some Myogenic Regulatory Genes / W. S. H. Abd El Naby, H. A. Basha, S. E. Ibrahim, M. I. Abo-Samaha // J. World Poult. Res. — 2021. — Vol. 11, No. 1. — P. 129—135.

10. Fairchild, B. D. Photostimulation of turkey eggs accelerates hatching times without affecting hatchability, liver or heart growth, or glycogen content / B. D. Fairchild, V. L. Christensen // Poultry Science. — 2000. — Vol. 79, No. 11. — P. 1627—1631.

11. Kicka, M. A. Influence of fluorescent light during incubation on hatch time and embryonic development of the chicken, turkey and duck egg / M. A. Kicka, F. K. R. Stino, G. A. R. Kamar // Archiv fur Geflugelkunde. — 1982. — Bd. 46, H. 2. — P. 49—52.

12. Developmental Changes of Protein Profiles in the Embryonic Sanhuang Chicken Liver / H. Jianzhen, M. Haitian, Y. Liming, Z. Sixiang // Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series A. — 2007. — Vol. 54, No. 9. — P. 464—469.

13. Ontogeny of hepatic metabolism in mule ducks highlights different gene expression profiles between carbohydrate and lipid metabolic pathways / W. Massimino, S. Davail, A. Secula [et al.] // BMC Genomics. — 2020. — Vol. 21, No. 1. — 742.

14. Khamitova, L. E. Dynamics of integral body parameters and morphogenesis of liver of birds in critical periods of embryonic and postembryonic ontogenesis / L. E. Khamitova // Modern problems of science and education. — 2015. — No. 5. — P. 623.

15. Farzaneh, M. Hepatocyte production across embryonic stages in chicken: an in vitro approach / M. Farzaneh, S. Azizidoost // BMC Vet Res. — 2025. — Vol. 21. — 674.