Transcriptome analysis of embryonic muscle development in Chengkou Mountain Chicken

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Developmental Biology
• Genomics

Background:

• Embryonic muscle development is critical for meat production and quality.
• Muscle fiber number, shape, and structure are determined during the embryonic stage.
• Understanding embryonic muscle development is essential for modern breeding programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the molecular mechanisms of embryonic muscle development in Chengkou Mountain Chicken.
• To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and pathways involved in muscle development during the embryonic stage.
• To provide a foundation for improving chicken growth performance and product quality.

Main Methods:

• Transcriptome analysis of Chengkou Mountain Chicken embryos at embryonic days 12, 16, 19, and 21.
• Identification and analysis of differentially expressed messenger RNAs (mRNAs).
• Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in muscle fiber diameter and area were observed across embryonic stages.
• A total of 16,330 mRNA transcripts were detected, with 7,572 differentially expressed genes identified.
• Enrichment analysis revealed significant involvement of pathways such as extracellular matrix-receptor interactions, Wnt signaling, MAPK signaling, TGF-beta signaling, PI3K-Akt signaling, and mTOR signaling.

Conclusions:

• This study elucidates key genes and pathways governing embryonic muscle development in Chengkou Mountain Chicken.
• Identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) offer insights into myofiber formation mechanisms.
• The findings provide valuable genetic information for enhancing chicken meat quality and breeding strategies.