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Transcriptomic Profiling Identifies Key Genes and ERBB Signaling Pathway Associated with Aggressive Behavior in
Ai Liu1,2, Xuping Wang1, Xuan Zhou1
1Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|March 28, 2026
Summary
Aggressive behavior in Muscovy ducks is linked to specific gene expression in the hypothalamus. This study identified key genes and pathways, offering insights for improving animal welfare in intensive farming.
Area of Science:
- Animal Behavior Genetics
- Avian Physiology
- Transcriptomics
Background:
- Aggressive behavior in Muscovy ducks impacts animal welfare and farm productivity.
- The hypothalamus is a critical brain region regulating aggressive responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying aggressive behavior in Muscovy ducks.
- To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the hypothalamus of aggressor and victim ducks.
Main Methods:
- High-throughput transcriptome sequencing of hypothalamic tissues from aggressor, victim, and control Muscovy ducks.
- Functional annotation using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases.
- Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) for gene expression validation.
Main Results:
- Identified 626 DEGs in aggressors and 649 DEGs in victims compared to controls.
- Discovered 26 DEGs directly involved in aggressive behavior regulation.
- Highlighted 69 candidate genes associated with aggression, enriched in behavior and pain perception pathways, and the ERBB signaling pathway.
Conclusions:
- Transcriptomic profiling reveals the molecular basis of aggressive behavior in Muscovy ducks.
- Identified specific genes and pathways (e.g., ERBB signaling) implicated in duck aggression.
- Findings provide a foundation for strategies to mitigate aggression in intensive farming systems.
