Multi-Stage transcriptomic dissection identifies key molecular determinants of chicken follicular development

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Genomics
• Poultry Science

Background:

• Follicular development is crucial for egg production efficiency in poultry.
• Understanding the regulatory networks of genes and transcription factors (TFs) in this process is challenging.
• High and low egg-laying hens offer a model to study genetic variations impacting reproductive traits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively analyze transcriptomic data across six follicular stages in high and low egg-laying hens.
• To identify key genes, pathways, and TFs involved in chicken follicular development and egg-laying performance.
• To functionally validate potential regulatory genes, such as BMPR1B, for their role in follicle maturation.

Main Methods:

• Transcriptomic analysis of six follicular stages from high and low egg-laying hens.
• Pearson correlation analysis to construct stage-specific TF regulatory networks.
• In vitro functional validation of predicted key genes, including BMPR1B.

Main Results:

• Identified essential genes and pathways in steroid hormone biosynthesis and lipid metabolism linked to egg-laying performance.
• Highlighted pivotal TFs like FOXO1 and HOXA10, and identified FABP3 and ENSGALG00000054605 as significantly associated with reproductive traits.
• Confirmed BMPR1B's role in promoting granulosa-cell proliferation, essential for follicle maturation.

Conclusions:

• Provides novel insights into the molecular regulation of chicken follicular development through integrated transcriptomics and functional validation.
• Identified BMPR1B, FABP3, and ENSGALG00000054605 as valuable molecular markers and potential targets for genetic improvement in poultry.
• Contributes to a deeper understanding of vertebrate reproductive biology and poultry breeding strategies.