Search

The Xuefeng black bone chicken (XFBC) represents an important poultry genetic resource. However, the darkness in breast muscle is heterogeneous. The molecular genetic mechanisms underlying melanogenesis of breast muscle in XFBC remains unclear. This study used RNA-seq to compare the difference in transcriptome between hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation of breast muscle. Six cDNA libraries were constructed for hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation groups in XFBC. We identified 395 differently expressed genes (DEGs) between hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation group (P < 0.05, |[log.sub.2]FC|[greater than or equal to]1). Gene ontology (GO) enrichment and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicated several differentially enriched biological functions and pathways involved in melanogenesis of the breast muscle. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) GO analysis identified two significant gene sets, including the pathways of pigment metabolic process and transmembrane receptor protein tyrosine kinase activity. GSEA-KEGG analysis identified the process of tyrosine metabolism and several genes related with melanogenesis in breast muscle of the XFBC. The protein-protein interaction network was constructed and eight genes were clustered in the module. We identified nine hub genes, including TYR, TYRP1, DCT, GPR143, MLANA, SLC24A5, GPNMB, MLPH, and EDNRB2. Taken together, the DEGs and hub genes identified in the study provide a solid basis for the study of the genetic regulatory mechanisms involved the melanogenesis in the breast muscle of the XFBC. Key words: Xuefeng black bone chicken, breast muscle, RNA-Seq, melanogenesis, 1. Introduction The black bone chicken is one of the most important poultry genetic resources in China (Li et al. 2020). The productions of black bone chicken are very popular [...]

Copyright of Journal of Xinjiang University (Natural Science Edition) is the property of Xinjiang University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Advances in long‐read sequencing technology and genome assembly provide an opportunity to improve the pig genome and reveal the full range of structural variations (SVs) between local Chinese and European pigs. To date, little is known about the genomes of some unique Chinese indigenous breeds, such as the Ningxiang pig. Here, we report the sequencing and assembly of a highly contiguous Ningxiang pig genome (NX) via an integration of PacBio single‐molecule real‐time sequencing, Illumina next‐generation sequencing, BioNano optical mapping and Hi‐C (chromosome conformation capture) approaches. The assembled genome comprises 2.44 Gb with a contig N50 of 26.1 Mb and 418 contigs in total. These contigs are organized into 121 scaffolds with a scaffold N50 of 139.0 Mb. More than 99.1% of the assembled sequence could be localized to 19 pseudochromosomes and is annotated with 20,914 protein‐coding genes and 34.04% repetitive sequences. Comparisons between the NX and European Duroc assemblies revealed many SVs in genes involved in the immune system, nervous system, lipid metabolism and environmental adaptation. The genetic variants include 47 Chinese domestic pig‐specific SVs and the associated 74 genes may contribute to the differences in domestic traits compared to European pigs. Moreover, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified from whole genome resequencing data of 73 Chinese pigs, representing 17 geographically isolated breeds, showed their specific genetic variations, population structure and evolutionary patterns. Finally, we explore transcriptional regulation in the first intron of the MYL4 gene, as the genomic SV (281‐bp deletion) in Ningxiang pig promotes its subcutaneous fat compared to European pig breeds. This work identifies a set of Asian‐specific SVs and SNPs, which will be important resources for modern pig breeding and genetic conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of increasing inclusion levels of the mixture of Bacillus subtilis and essential oils (BSEO) on production, hatching performance, egg quality, serum antioxidant capacity, immune response, and hormone levels of laying hens. A total of 768 24-wk-old layers were randomly allotted into 4 treatments with 6 replicates of 32 birds each replicate. The experiment lasted for 84 d, and the birds were fed a basal diet (CON) or diets with BSEO at 300 (BSEO-1), 600 (BSEO-2), and 900 mg/kg (BSEO-3) in the other 3 groups, respectively. As the BSEO level increased, egg production (linear, p <.05), yolk index (linear, p <.01), glutathione peroxidase activity (linear, p <.01), total antioxidant capacity (linear, p <.01), oestradiol level (linear, p <.01), the value luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone (linear, p <.05) increased in a linear manner. Hatchability (linear and quadratic, p <.01), hatchability of fertile of eggs (linear and quadratic, p <.05), avian influenza virus antibody level (linear, p <.01; quadratic, p <.05), parathyroid hormone level (linear and quadratic, p <.01) in the serum increased linearly and quadratically. Taken together, dietary with BSEO in laying hens could significantly improve egg production, hatchability, and hatchability of fertile eggs, which were associated with an enhancement of antioxidant capacity and the level of AIV-Ab in the serum. This study provided evidence of using BSEO as a potential feed additive for laying hens. Dietary supplementation of BSEO decreased the feed conversion ratio and eggshell thickness of laying hens. Dietary supplementation of BSEO improved the egg weight, fertility, hatchability, hatchability of fertile eggs, and yolk index of laying hens. Dietary supplementation of BSEO enhanced the antioxidant capacity and the level of AIV-Ab in the serum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]