Effects of Heat Stress on Histomorphology and Tight Junction Genes Expression in the Cecum of Broiler Chickens

R ecently, our health and wellbeing have been adversely affected by the abnormal increase in global temperature caused by climate change.Animal husbandry is therefore also influenced in numerous ways.This can be seen in the case of broiler chickens, which are particularly susceptible to heat stress because of their elevated metabolic activity and the absence of sweat glands.The adverse consequences of heat stress for broilers, such as impaired growth, diminished feed consumption, reduced feed efficiency, alterations in yield and quality of meat, heightened mortality, and compromised welfare, are extensively reported in the literature (Tabler et al., 2020;Quinteiro-Filho et al., 2010, 2012a).Emerging research provides evidence of heat stress impact on the morphological characteristics of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to reduced crypt depth, mucosal area, and villus height, with subsequent research