GENE EXPRESSION STUDY OF BIO-MARKERS FOR STRESS RESPONSE IN RABBITS FED GENETICALLY MODIFIED COTTON SEED MEAL

Abstract

The response of rabbits at mRNA level to genetically modified feed ingredients was studied using a nutrigenomics approach. A total of forty-eight (48) rabbits were randomly divided into four groups and fed a diets containing varying levels of GM-cottonseeds at 0%, 20% 30%, and 40% inclusion levels. The examined genes expression patterns in the liver of both male and female rabbits of major genes involved in stress response were comparable regardless of diets fed. No significant (p >0.05) variations were detected in the relative expressions of these genes (i.e Hsp60, Hsp70 and Hsp90) in all the dietary groups except for the relative expression level of Hsp90 in the liver of male rabbits fed 30% GM cotton seed meal, where significant up-regulation was detected as compared to the rest of the dietary groups. Our findings demonstrated that consumption of GM-cottonseeds meals could not significantly affect the hepatic expression patterns of stress related genes in rabbits.