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Transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis based on different aggressive pecking phenotype in duck.
Baoguo Zhu1,2,3, Jinjin Zhu1,2,3, Ai Liu1,2,3
1Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
Scientific Reports
|September 28, 2024
Summary
Aggressive pecking in ducks is poorly understood. This study identified key genes and adenosine as potential regulators, offering insights into neurodegeneration and brain function related to this behavior.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Neuroscience
- Genomics
Background:
- Aggressive pecking impacts poultry welfare and productivity.
- Mechanisms driving aggressive pecking behavior in ducks are not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying aggressive pecking in Sansui ducks.
- To identify candidate genes and metabolites associated with aggressive pecking behavior.
Main Methods:
- Comparative transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of whole brains from aggressive and normal ducks.
- Selection of ducks based on observed aggressive pecking behavior from video recordings.
Main Results:
- Identified 504 differentially expressed genes and 5 altered metabolites.
- Discovered 8 candidate genes (ADCYAP1, GAL, EDN2, EDN1, MC5R, S1PR4, LOC113843450, IAPP) and adenosine as regulators of aggressive pecking.
- Candidate genes and metabolites may influence neurodegeneration and neural homeostasis.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest candidate genes and adenosine play a role in regulating aggressive pecking.
- Potential involvement in neurodegeneration and disruption of neural excitatory-inhibitory balance.
- Provides a novel reference for understanding duck aggressive pecking mechanisms.
