Expression of avian β-defensins in the oviduct and effects of lipopolysaccharide on their expression in the vagina of hens

The aims of this study were to (i) determine the types of avian beta-defensin genes (Av beta D) expressed in the hen oviduct and (ii) to examine the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment in vivo on their expression in the vagina. Birds were i. v. treated with LPS (1 mg/kg of BW), and subsequently the oviducts were analyzed 0, 3, 6, 12, or 24 h after LPS administration. The mRNA expression for Av beta D was examined by reverse transcription-PCR using RNA preparations from the mucosal tissues of all the oviductal segments. Furthermore, changes in their mRNA expression profiles in the vagina were analyzed by semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR. The Av beta D-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -7, -8, -9, -10, -11, and -12 were identified in each oviductal segment from infundibulum to vagina. Among these Av beta D, the expression of Av beta D-3, -5, -10, -11, and -12 in the vagina were significantly increased in response to LPS treatment, whereas the others did not show significant changes. These results suggest that all 11 types of Av beta D are expressed in the hen oviduct and at least 5 of them in the vagina show increased expression in response to LPS.