Oxidative Stress and Lipid Metabolism in Avian Physiology

Avian species maintain exceptionally high metabolic rates to meet the energetic demands of flight, thermoregulation and reproduction. Central to this is the hepatic synthesis and remodelling of lipids, notably the assembly of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) that transport triglycerides to growing oocytes for yolk formation. However, the elevated mitochondrial activity required for lipid oxidation and ATP generation also produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can disrupt membrane integrity, enzyme function and gene regulation if antioxidant defences are overwhelmed. Oxidative stress impairs lipid synthesis, accelerates lipid peroxidation and undermines follicular development, leading to reduced egg production and compromised bird health. Key signalling pathways such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), sirtuins and the Nrf2 antioxidant response coordinate cellular redox balance with lipid handling, orchestrating autophagy, mitophagy and lipogenesis. Dietary antioxidants, phytochemicals and targeted nutraceutical interventions have been shown to modulate these pathways, preserving mitochondrial function, optimising lipid profiles and sustaining reproductive performance. Understanding the interplay between oxidative stress and lipid metabolism in birds offers insights into poultry production, the conservation of wild avifauna and comparative models of human metabolic disorders.

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Oxidative Stress and Lipid Metabolism in Avian Physiology publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in oxidative stress and lipid metabolism in avian physiology across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Oxidative stress: imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant defences leading to cellular damage.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): chemically reactive molecules derived from oxygen that can damage proteins, lipids and nucleic acids.

Lipid metabolism: the biochemical processes of lipid synthesis, transport, storage and degradation within cells and tissues.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK): a central energy sensor kinase that regulates pathways to restore ATP levels and modulate lipid and glucose metabolism.

Sirtuins (SIRT): a family of NAD⁺-dependent deacetylases that govern cellular stress responses, mitochondrial function and metabolic regulation.

Autophagy: a lysosome-mediated pathway for degradation and recycling of damaged organelles and macromolecules, including selective mitophagy of mitochondria.

References

1. Bioactive Lignan Honokiol Alleviates Ovarian Oxidative Stress in Aging Laying Chickens by Regulating SIRT3/AMPK Pathway. Antioxidants (2024).
2. Nobiletin Ameliorates Aging of Chicken Ovarian Prehierarchical Follicles by Suppressing Oxidative Stress and Promoting Autophagy. Cells (2024).
3. Fermented Aronia melanocarpa pomace improves the nutritive value of eggs, enhances ovarian function, and reshapes microbiota abundance in aged laying hens. Frontiers in Microbiology (2024).