ScholarWorks@경상국립대학교

초록

Heat stress (HS) has emerged as a critical threat to poultry production due to global climate change. Broilers are particularly vulnerable to elevated temperatures because of their high metabolic rate and limited thermoregulatory capacity. HS adversely affects growth, feed efficiency, immune function, and meat quality, largely through mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria are central to energy production, redox homeostasis, and stress signaling, but under HS conditions, they suffer impaired oxidative phosphorylation, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, disrupted calcium signaling, and membrane potential collapse. These changes lead to protein and lipid oxidation, apoptosis, and systemic inflammation. This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms by which HS induces mitochondrial damage in broilers, focusing on oxidative stress, antioxidant system disruption, and altered gene expression. In addition, recent nutritional strategies aimed at protecting mitochondrial integrity are evaluated. Functional dietary supplements such as phytochemicals, amino acids, vitamins, and trace minerals have demonstrated potential to enhance antioxidant defenses, improve mitochondrial biogenesis, and restore cellular energy metabolism. Understanding and applying these interventions could play a key role in mitigating HS-related productivity losses and improving poultry resilience under climate-challenged conditions.

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