Upregulated genes in articular cartilage may help to counteract femoral head separation in broilers with 21 days of age

Femoral head necrosis (FHN) is one of the most common conditions in fast growing broilers, being characterized by separation of articular cartilage from epiphysis and classified as femoral head separation (FHS) or FHS with laceration (FHSL) depending on severity. Although molecular mechanisms involved with this disorder have been observed, its etiology is still unclear. Therefore, the expression of 15 candidate genes, chosen based on previous transcriptomic studies, was evaluated in the articular cartilage (AC) of normal and FHS-affected broilers at 21 days of age. Samples were collected based on the absence or presence of FHS for physical-chemical and qPCR analysis. The AvBD2, RHAG, COL28A1, ADA and ANGPTL7 were upregulated in FHS-affected broilers compared to the healthy group. These genes are involved in immune response, defense against pathogens, inflammation, cellular migration and adhesion, indicating different molecular mechanisms to control FHS progression at early age. Our results can contribute to improve the knowledge on FHN etiology in chickens and other species, such as horse and pigs that are severely affected by bone disorders. •Fifteen evaluated candidate genes were expressed in broilers at 21 days of age.•Differentially expressed genes were in apoptosis, immune response, ion transport, cell adhesion and hypoxia bioprocesses.•AvBD2, RHAG, COL28A1, ADA and ANGPTL7 genes were upregulated in FHS-affected AC and could control FHN in broilers.