Extreme heat is emerging as a major threat to the global poultry industry, especially in tropical regions where temperatures frequently reach 40–45°C and in parts of Pakistan even exceed 50°C. Under such harsh conditions, commercial poultry farms often face heavy losses, including high mortality rates and a decline in egg production by up to 36 percent.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Despite these challenges, indigenous chicken breeds continue to survive, grow, and reproduce in the same extreme environments. A new international research study has now uncovered the genetic mechanisms that make this possible.
Breakthrough Research on Heat Adaptation in Chickens
An international team of scientists led by Ali Hassan Nawaz and Prof. Chungang Feng from Nanjing Agricultural University, China, has identified 25 key genes responsible for heat tolerance in chickens. The research has been published in the internationally recognized journal Poultry Science (Elsevier).
The study reveals that heat resistance in chickens is not controlled by a single gene. Instead, it is regulated by a complex biological system described as a cardio-neuroendocrine signaling network.
Global Scientific Collaboration
The research brought together experts from China, Pakistan, Thailand, and South Africa. Pakistan’s contribution came from Dr. Nasir Mukhtar of PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, who provided valuable insights into indigenous chicken breeds adapted to desert climates.
Additional support was provided by researchers from Chiang Mai University, Thailand, and the University of Limpopo, South Africa, contributing genetic data and environmental expertise.
Key Genetic Discoveries
Using advanced genomic tools, including selective sweep analysis, eQTL mapping, and transcriptome-wide association studies, researchers analyzed 14 different chicken breeds from diverse climates.
The study identified four major regulatory genes:
- ATP1A1
- PLCB4
- RYR2
- AKT3
These genes act as a central control system that regulates cardiovascular function, calcium signaling, and cellular survival during heat stress.
Researchers found that indigenous chickens rely on a coordinated biological system connecting the heart, hypothalamus, and liver. This system helps maintain body temperature, energy balance, and survival under extreme heat conditions.
ATP1A1 was identified as particularly important, showing strong links with production traits such as eggshell strength and overall egg quality. This suggests that heat tolerance and productivity are closely connected.
Evidence from Human Genetics
The study also found that some of these genes, especially RYR2 and ATP1A1, perform similar functions in humans. This indicates that these heat adaptation mechanisms are conserved across species and have evolved over time.
Implications for Poultry Industry and Food Security
With rising global temperatures due to climate change, this research offers a practical pathway for developing climate-resilient poultry breeds.
By selecting and breeding chickens with these 25 key genes, scientists may be able to create commercial poultry that can maintain productivity even in temperatures as high as 45–50°C. This could play a critical role in ensuring food security in regions like South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Publication Information
The study is published in Poultry Science under the title:
“Integrative genomic analysis and gene expression patterns reveal a cardio-neuroendocrine signaling network for heat adaptation in geographically diverse chickens.”