Multi-tissue analysis identifies mitochondrial genes in chicken aging-induced productivity decline

Area of Science:

• Poultry genetics and aging research
• Molecular biology and transcriptomics
• Animal science and agricultural biotechnology

Background:

• Age-related decline in poultry production poses significant challenges for the industry.
• Genetic factors influencing the prolonged laying cycle of hens are not well understood.
• Identifying genes related to tissue functional decline is crucial for improving hen productivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically identify key genes associated with age-related production decline in laying hens.
• To reveal dynamic gene expression changes during tissue functional decline.
• To uncover molecular mechanisms underlying reduced productivity in aging hens.

Main Methods:

• Integrated multi-tissue transcriptomic data from 216 Rhode Island Red laying hens at three age points (50, 70, 100 weeks).
• Analyzed gene expression across nine tissues (hypothalamus, pituitary, cecum, duodenum, liver, ovary, magnum, isthmus, uterus).
• Utilized differential gene expression analysis, network analysis, and functional validation in a cellular senescence model.

Main Results:

• Identified 87 genes with significant expression changes across all tissues and 20 hub genes involved in mitochondrial and ribosome functions.
• Discovered 106 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with tissue-specific patterns and interaction networks.
• Screened 51 genes linked to both production decline and economically important traits, highlighting NDUFB9 as a potential anti-aging target.

Conclusions:

• Established a multi-tissue transcriptomic framework for understanding aging-associated productivity decline in laying hens.
• Revealed conserved mitochondrial and ribosomal dysfunction as key molecular features of age-related decline.
• Identified NDUFB9 as a promising anti-aging target for enhancing poultry longevity and production performance.