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Published on: March 24, 2016
Integrated multi-omics data to identify the key genes affecting egg-laying performance in late-phase hens
Hongrui Yang1, Lei Wang2, Li Rong2
1Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Yazhouwan National Laboratory, Sanya 572024, China.
Declining egg production in late-laying Wenchang chickens is linked to ovarian immune imbalance. Key genes like MICA, MHCIA6, and MHCIY, involved in immune regulation, were identified as potential targets for improving laying performance.
Area of Science:
- Poultry Science
- Reproductive Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- The late laying phase is crucial for total egg production and culling decisions in chickens.
- Wenchang chickens exhibit low egg-laying rates and high variation, making them ideal for studying performance decline.
- Understanding the mechanisms behind reduced egg production in this phase is vital for the poultry industry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the decline in egg-laying performance during the late laying phase in Wenchang chickens.
- To identify key genes and regulatory factors associated with high versus low egg-laying rates.
- To explore the role of ovarian immune homeostasis in maintaining egg production.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of egg-laying patterns in 872 Wenchang chickens.
- RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and ATAC-sequencing (ATAC-seq) on ovarian stroma from high and low-laying hens.
- Bioinformatic analysis to identify differentially expressed genes, accessible regulatory regions, and transcription factor targets.
Main Results:
- Identified 800 differentially expressed genes and 1,493 differentially accessible regions in ovarian stroma.
- Enrichment analysis revealed involvement of immune response, tight junction, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions.
- Three key non-classical MHC-Ⅰ genes (MICA, MHCIA6, MHCIY) and four transcription factors (HOXB6, GATA3, TFAP2A, WT1) were implicated in regulating laying performance.
Conclusions:
- An imbalance in ovarian immune homeostasis significantly contributes to decreased egg production during the late laying phase.
- The identified genes and transcription factors offer potential molecular targets for genetic improvement of egg-laying performance in Wenchang chickens.
- This research enhances understanding of reproductive regulation and immune function in poultry.
