1
|
Wang D, Tan L, Zhi Y, Bu L, Wang Y, Wang Z, Guo Y, Tian W, Xu C, Li D, Li Z, Jiang R, Han R, Li G, Wang Y, Xia D, Tian Y, Dunn IC, Hu X, Li H, Zhao Y, Kang X, Liu X. Genome-wide variation study and inter-tissue communication analysis unveil regulatory mechanisms of egg-laying performance in chickens. Nat Commun 2024; 15:7069. [PMID: 39152103 PMCID: PMC11329784 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50809-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Egg-laying performance is of great economic importance in poultry, but the underlying genetic mechanisms are still elusive. In this work, we conduct a multi-omics and multi-tissue integrative study in hens with distinct egg production, to detect the hub candidate genes and construct hub molecular networks contributing to egg-laying phenotypic differences. We identifiy three hub candidate genes as egg-laying facilitators: TFPI2, which promotes the GnRH secretion in hypothalamic neuron cells; CAMK2D, which promotes the FSHβ and LHβ secretion in pituitary cells; and OSTN, which promotes granulosa cell proliferation and the synthesis of sex steroid hormones. We reveal key endocrine factors involving egg production by inter-tissue crosstalk analysis, and demonstrate that both a hepatokine, APOA4, and an adipokine, ANGPTL2, could increase egg production by inter-tissue communication with hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Together, These results reveal the molecular mechanisms of multi-tissue coordinative regulation of chicken egg-laying performance and provide key insights to avian reproductive regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
| | - Lizhi Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yihao Zhi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lina Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yulong Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Weihua Tian
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chunlin Xu
- Henan Sangao Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Co, Ltd, Gushi, China
| | - Donghua Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Poultry Breeding of Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhuanjian Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Poultry Breeding of Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruirui Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Poultry Breeding of Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruili Han
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Poultry Breeding of Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guoxi Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Poultry Breeding of Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yongqiang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
| | - Dong Xia
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
| | - Yadong Tian
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Poultry Breeding of Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ian C Dunn
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Xiaoxiang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China.
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Poultry Breeding of Henan, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Yiqiang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiangtao Kang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China.
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Poultry Breeding of Henan, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Xiaojun Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China.
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Poultry Breeding of Henan, Zhengzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Vogado GMS, Bernardez-Orellana LC, Ribeiro JC, Viana Neto AM, Watanabe PH, Pinheiro da Silva L. Genetic parameters for cloacal gland, sexual maturity, reproductive organs weight, and body weight in meat-type quail. Theriogenology 2024; 223:70-73. [PMID: 38692036 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Selection to increase body weight in poultry can hamper reproduction traits and compromise production efficiency. Thus, attention to reproduction traits is essential to improving the sustainability of breeding programs. Data from a domestic quail breeding program for meat production were used to estimate genetic parameters. We analyzed five traits: 4-week body weight, age at sexual maturity for males and females, cloacal gland area, female, and male reproductive organs weights. A multi-trait mixed model analysis with fixed effects of generation/hatch was performed, assuming environmental covariance equals zero for sex-limited traits. Heritability estimates range from low to moderate for male sexual maturity and cloacal gland area, and high for other traits. Intersexual genetic correlation for age at sexual maturity is positive, which can lead to correlated responses in the other sex. Reproductive organs weights are genetically correlated with body weight, but not significantly between sexes and nor with sexual maturity. Genetic correlations for the cloacal gland area were positive with body weight and negative with age at sexual maturity of males and females, demonstrating a potential use of this trait for selection with favorable outcomes in reproduction. The use of the cloacal gland area can be used in the same way as the scrotal circumference in mammals, improving female reproduction traits by selecting a trait recorded in males.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gleissa Mayone Silva Vogado
- Animal Science Department, Agricultural Science Center, Campus Do Pici, Universidade Federal Do Ceará, Av. Mister Hull, 2977, Fortaleza, CE, CEP 60356-001, Brazil
| | | | | | - Aderson Martins Viana Neto
- Animal Science Department, Agricultural Science Center, Campus Do Pici, Universidade Federal Do Ceará, Av. Mister Hull, 2977, Fortaleza, CE, CEP 60356-001, Brazil
| | - Pedro Henrique Watanabe
- Animal Science Department, Agricultural Science Center, Campus Do Pici, Universidade Federal Do Ceará, Av. Mister Hull, 2977, Fortaleza, CE, CEP 60356-001, Brazil
| | - Luciano Pinheiro da Silva
- Animal Science Department, Agricultural Science Center, Campus Do Pici, Universidade Federal Do Ceará, Av. Mister Hull, 2977, Fortaleza, CE, CEP 60356-001, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tu TC, Lin CJ, Liu MC, Hsu ZT, Chen CF. Comparison of genomic prediction accuracy using different models for egg production traits in Taiwan country chicken. Poult Sci 2024; 103:104063. [PMID: 39098301 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
In local chickens targeted for niche markets, genotyping costs are relatively high due to the small population size and diverse breeding goals. The single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP) model, which combines pedigree and genomic information, has been introduced to increase the accuracy of genomic estimated breeding value (GEBV). Therefore, this model may be more beneficial than the genomic BLUP (GBLUP) model for genomic selection in local chickens. Additionally, the single-step genome-wide association study (ssGWAS) can be used to extend the ssGBLUP model results to animals with available phenotypic information but without genotypic data. In this study, we compared the accuracy of (G)EBVs using the pedigree-based BLUP (PBLUP), GBLUP, and ssGBLUP models. Moreover, we conducted single-SNP GWAS (SNP-GWAS), GBLUP-GWAS, and ssGWAS methods to identify genes associated with egg production traits in the NCHU-G101 chicken to understand the feasibility of using genomic selection in a small population. The average prediction accuracy of (G)EBV for egg production traits using the PBLUP, GBLUP, and ssGBLUP models is 0.536, 0.531, and 0.555, respectively. In total, 22 suggestive- and 5% Bonferroni genome-wide significant-level SNPs for total egg number (EN), average laying rate (LR), average clutch length, and total clutch number are detected using 3 GWAS methods. These SNPs are mapped onto Gallus gallus chromosomes (GGA) 4, 6, 10, 18, and 25 in NCHU-G101 chicken. Furthermore, through SNP-GWAS and ssGWAS methods, we identify 2 genes on GGA4 associated with EN and LR: ENSGALG00000023172 and PPARGC1A. In conclusion, the ssGBLUP model demonstrates superior prediction accuracy, performing on average 3.41% than the PBLUP model. The implications of our gene results may guide future selection strategies for Taiwan Country chickens. Our results highlight the applicability of the ssGBLUP model for egg production traits selection in a small population, specifically NCHU-G101 chicken in Taiwan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Che Tu
- Department of Animal Science, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; Ray Hsing Agricultural Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Yunlin 633, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Jyuan Lin
- Department of Animal Science, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Che Liu
- Ray Hsing Agricultural Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Yunlin 633, Taiwan
| | - Zhi-Ting Hsu
- Ray Hsing Agricultural Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Yunlin 633, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Feng Chen
- Department of Animal Science, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; The iEGG and Animal Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wang J, Liu Z, Cao D, Liu J, Li F, Han H, Han H, Lei Q, Liu W, Li D, Wang J, Zhou Y. Elucidation of the genetic determination of clutch traits in Chinese local chickens of the Laiwu Black breed. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:686. [PMID: 37968610 PMCID: PMC10652520 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09798-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Egg laying rate (LR) is associated with a clutch, which is defined as consecutive days of oviposition. The clutch trait can be used as a selection indicator to improve egg production in poultry breeding. However, little is known about the genetic basis of clutch traits. In this study, our aim was to estimate genetic parameters and identify quantitative trait single nucleotide polymorphisms for clutch traits in 399 purebred Laiwu Black chickens (a native Chinese breed) using a genome-wide association study (GWAS). METHODS In this work, after estimating the genetic parameters of age at first egg, body weight at first egg, LR, longest clutch until 52 week of age, first week when the longest clutch starts, last week when the longest clutch ends, number of clutches, and longest number of days without egg-laying until 52 week of age, we identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and potential candidate genes associated with clutch traits in Laiwu Black chickens. The restricted maximum likelihood method was used to estimate genetic parameters of clutch pattern in 399 Laiwu Black hens, using the GCTA software. RESULTS The results showed that SNP-based heritability estimates of clutch traits ranged from 0.06 to 0.59. Genotyping data were obtained from whole genome re-sequencing data. After quality control, a total of 10,810,544 SNPs remained to be analyzed. The GWAS revealed that 421 significant SNPs responsible for clutch traits were scattered on chicken chromosomes 1-14, 17-19, 21-25, 28 and Z. Among the annotated genes, NELL2, SMYD9, SPTLC2, SMYD3 and PLCL1 were the most promising candidates for clutch traits in Laiwu Black chickens. CONCLUSION The findings of this research provide critical insight into the genetic basis of clutch traits. These results contribute to the identification of candidate genes and variants. Genes and SNPs potentially provide new avenues for further research and would help to establish a framework for new methods of genomic prediction, and increase the accuracy of estimated genetic merit for egg production and clutch traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Poultry Breeding Engineering Technology Center of Shandong Province, Poultry Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 250023, Shandong, China
| | - Zhansheng Liu
- Shandong Animal Husbandry General Station, Jinan, 250023, China
| | - Dingguo Cao
- Poultry Breeding Engineering Technology Center of Shandong Province, Poultry Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 250023, Shandong, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Poultry Breeding Engineering Technology Center of Shandong Province, Poultry Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 250023, Shandong, China
| | - Fuwei Li
- Poultry Breeding Engineering Technology Center of Shandong Province, Poultry Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 250023, Shandong, China
| | - Heguo Han
- Lijin County Center for Animal Disease Control, Lijin, 257400, China
| | - Haixia Han
- Poultry Breeding Engineering Technology Center of Shandong Province, Poultry Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 250023, Shandong, China
| | - Qiuxia Lei
- Poultry Breeding Engineering Technology Center of Shandong Province, Poultry Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 250023, Shandong, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Poultry Breeding Engineering Technology Center of Shandong Province, Poultry Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 250023, Shandong, China
| | - Dapeng Li
- Poultry Breeding Engineering Technology Center of Shandong Province, Poultry Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 250023, Shandong, China
| | - Jianxia Wang
- Administrative Examination and Approval Service Bureau of Lijin County, Lijin, 257400, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Poultry Breeding Engineering Technology Center of Shandong Province, Poultry Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 250023, Shandong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yang H, Li Y, Yuan J, Ni A, Ma H, Wang Y, Zong Y, Zhao J, Jin S, Sun Y, Chen J. Research Note: Genetic parameters for egg production and clutch-related traits in indigenous Beijing-You chickens. Poult Sci 2023; 102:102904. [PMID: 37453280 PMCID: PMC10371837 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Egg products from indigenous chickens have growing market shares as consumers are pursuing differentiation in egg consumption. The genetic improvement in egg production performance of those breeds is crucial for increasing the economic profit. This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters for egg production and clutch-related traits in indigenous Beijing-You chickens for understanding the genetic architecture and exploring proper biological traits for selection. Data on traits including age at first egg (AFE), egg number (EN), average clutch length (ACL), maximum clutch length (MCL), number of clutches (NC) and pauses (NP), and average pause length (APL) were collected from 4 generations of purebred Beijing-You chickens based on the 43-wk and 66-wk of individual egg production record. The heritabilities, genetic and phenotypic correlations were analyzed by the DMU software with the restricted maximum likelihood method in a multivariate animal model. The results showed that the AFE of Beijing-You chickens was 174.45 d of age, and its heritability was as high as 0.62. The heritability was 0.26 for EN43 and 0.18 for EN66. The clutch traits including ACL, MCL, NC, and NP were moderate to high heritable (h2 = 0.15-0.39), but APL was very low heritable (h2 = 0.05). Genetic correlations were high between AFE and EN (rG(AFE, EN43) = -0.79, rG(AFE, EN66) = -0.39), whereas low between AFE and ACL (rG(AFE, ACL43) = -0.08, rG(AFE, ACL66) = 0.01) and MCL (rG(AFE, MCL) = -0.07). EN had higher correlations with ACL (rG(EN43, ACL43) = 0.59, rG(EN66, ACL66) = 0.40) than that with MCL (rG(EN43, MCL43) = 0.56, rG(EN66, MCL66) = 0.32). The heritability for ACL43 (h2 = 0.38) was higher than that for MCL43 (h2 = 0.33). ACL43 had a positive correlation with EN66 (rG(ACL43, EN66) = 0.62). These results indicated that the egg production of whole laying period could be improved by early selection for AFE and ACL at the same time in Beijing-You chickens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanhan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Yunlei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Jingwei Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Aixin Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Hui Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Yuanmei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Yunhe Zong
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Jinmeng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Sihua Jin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, P. R. China
| | - Yanyan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, P. R. China.
| | - Jilan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bouba I, van den Brand H, Kemp B, Rodenburg TB, Visser B. Genetics of rearing success in four pure laying hen lines during the first 17 weeks of age. Poult Sci 2023; 102:102576. [PMID: 36913755 PMCID: PMC10023977 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the genetics of rearing success (RS) in laying hens. Four rearing traits: clutch size (CS), first week mortality (FWM), rearing abnormalities (RA), and natural death (ND), were included as factors determining RS. Pedigree, genotypic, and phenotypic records of 4 purebred genetic lines of White Leghorn layers were available for 23,000 rearing batches obtained between 2010 and 2020. FWM and ND showed little or no variation amongst the 4 genetic lines over the years 2010-2020, whereas an increase was observed for CS and a decrease for RA. To determine whether these traits were heritable, genetic parameters for each trait were estimated, using a Linear Mixed Model. Heritabilities within lines were low (0.05-0.19 for CS, 0.01-0.04 for FWM, 0.02-0.06 for RA, 0.02-0.04 for ND, and 0.01-0.07 for RS). Additionally, genome wide association study was done to scan the genomes of the breeders to reveal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with these traits. Manhattan plots indicated the existence of 12 different SNPs having a significant effect on RS. Thus, the identified SNPs will increase the understanding of the genetics of RS in laying hens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- I Bouba
- Hendrix Genetics Research, Technology & Services B.V., 5831 CK Boxmeer, The Netherlands; Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - H van den Brand
- Department of Animal Sciences, Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - B Kemp
- Department of Animal Sciences, Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - T Bas Rodenburg
- Animals in Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Animal Sciences, Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - B Visser
- Hendrix Genetics Research, Technology & Services B.V., 5831 CK Boxmeer, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang H, Cahaner A, Lou L, Zhang L, Ge Y, Li Q, Zhang X. Genetics and breeding of a black-bone and blue eggshell chicken line. 2. Laying patterns and egg production in two consecutive generations. Poult Sci 2022; 101:101679. [PMID: 35306315 PMCID: PMC8933698 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The BG line was originated from the cross between 2 Chinese indigenous breeds, Dongxiang blue eggshell, and Jiangshan black-bone, and has been bred to combine dark heavy black-bone body and high production of blue-shell eggs, into single dual-purpose line. Full-pedigree hens from 2 generations, G4 (n = 441) and G5 (n = 464), were reared in the same single-cage laying facility in 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, respectively. Starting from the first egg of each hen, its daily egg production was recorded until 300 days-of-age. Up to 7 "no-egg" days were considered normal laying breaks between clutches, whereas laying cessation of 8 or more days was considered Pause, and the laying pattern of each hen was assigned either with Pause or No-Pause. The other traits included PsDays: number of Pause days; AFE: age at first egg; EN300: eggs laid until 300 d; %L300: total laying rate (EN300/[300-AFE]); %Lnet: net laying rate (EN300/[300-AFE-PsDays]); ClLng: average clutch length; EW200 and EW300: average egg weight around 200 d and 300 d. Estimates of heritability (h2) of each trait, and phenotypic and genetic correlation between traits, were calculated in each generation using the animal model. Heritability estimates were calculated also by regressing the means of full-sib G5 hens on their G4 parents' means. Mean overall laying rate of all G4 hens was low (%L300 = 57%) because 53% of them had Pause in their laying pattern. In G5, incidence of Pause was higher (75%) due to a 3-wk cold stress, with mean %L300 = 54%. However, significant estimates of heritability and genetic correlations suggest that selection for low PsDays will reduce the incidence of Pause in BG hens and elevate the line's mean laying rate towards %L300 = 70%, as the No-Pause hens in G5. PsDays-free laying rate (%Lnet) was found to be highly correlated with the significantly heritable (h2≈0.4) clutch length (ClLng). Selection index combining the genetically independent low PsDays and high ClLng is expected to maximize egg production improvement in the BG line, and in similar populations derived from indigenous breeds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Wang
- Hangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Avigdor Cahaner
- Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Lifeng Lou
- Hangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Hangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Ying Ge
- Hangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Qinghai Li
- Hangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Xuedong Zhang
- Hangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Becot L, Bedere N, Burlot T, Coton J, Le Roy P. Nest acceptance, clutch, and oviposition traits are promising selection criteria to improve egg production in cage-free system. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251037. [PMID: 34014946 PMCID: PMC8136716 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In cage-free systems, laying hens must lay their eggs in the nests. Selecting layers based on nesting behavior would be a good strategy for improving egg production in these breeding systems. However, little is known about the genetic determinism of nest-related traits. Laying rate in the nests (LRN), clutch number (CN), oviposition traits (OT), and nest acceptance for laying (NAL) of 1,430 Rhode Island Red (RIR) hens and 1,008 White Leghorn (WL) hens were recorded in floor pens provided with individual electronic nests. Heritability and genetic and phenotypic correlations of all traits were estimated over two recording periods-the peak (24-43 weeks of age) and the middle (44-64 weeks of age) of production-by applying the restricted maximum likelihood method to an animal model. The mean oviposition time (MOT) ranged from 2 h 5 min to 3 h and from 3 h 35 min to 3 h 44 min after turning on the lights for RIR and WL hens, respectively. The mean oviposition interval ranged from 24 h 3 min to 24 h 16 min. All heritability and correlation estimates were similar for RIR and WL. Low to moderate heritability coefficients were estimated for LRN (0.04-0.25) and moderate to high heritability coefficients for CN and OT (0.27-0.68). CN and OT were negatively genetically correlated with LRN (-0.92 to -0.39) except during peak production for RIR (-0.30 to +0.43). NAL was weakly to moderately heritable (0.13-0.26). Genetic correlations between NAL and other traits were low to moderate (-0.41 to +0.44). In conclusion, CN and OT are promising selection criteria to improve egg production in cage-free systems. NAL can be also used to reduce the number of eggs laid off-nest in these breeding systems. However, variability in MOT must be maintained to limit competition for the nests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorry Becot
- NOVOGEN, Plédran, France
- PEGASE, INRAE, Institut Agro, Saint Gilles, France
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hanlon C, Takeshima K, Bédécarrats GY. Changes in the Control of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary Gonadal Axis Across Three Differentially Selected Strains of Laying Hens ( Gallus gallus domesticus). Front Physiol 2021; 12:651491. [PMID: 33841186 PMCID: PMC8027345 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.651491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic selection for earlier sexual maturation and extended production cycles in laying hens has significantly improved reproductive efficiency. While limited emphasis has been placed on the underlying physiological changes, we hypothesize that modifications in the control of the hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal (HPG) axis have occurred. Thus, three strains of White leghorn derivatives were followed from hatch to 100 weeks of age (woa), including Lohmann LSL-lite (n = 120) as current commercial hens, heritage Shaver White leghorns (n = 100) as 2000s commercial equivalents, and Smoky Joe hens (n = 68) as 1960s commercial equivalents. Body weight (BW) and egg production were monitored, and blood samples were collected throughout to monitor estradiol (E2) concentrations. Tissue samples were collected at 12, 17, 20, 25, 45, 60, 75, and 100 woa to capture changes in mRNA levels of key genes involved in the HPG axis and monitor ovarian follicular pools. All hens, regardless of strain, age or photoperiod laid their first egg within a 64-gram BW window and, as E2 levels increased prior to photostimulation (PS) in Lohmann and Shaver hens, a metabolic trigger likely induced sexual maturation. However, increased levels of Opsin 5 (OPN5) were observed during the maturation period. Although an elevation in gonadotrophin-releasing hormone I (GnRH-I) mRNA levels was associated with early maturation, no changes in gonadotrophin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) mRNA levels were observed. Nonetheless, a significant shift in pituitary sensitivity to GnRH was associated with maturation. Throughout the trial, Lohmann, Shaver, and Smoky Joe hens laid 515, 417, and 257 eggs, respectively (p < 0.0001). Results show that the extended laying persistency in Lohmann hens was supported by sustained pituitary sensitivity to GnRH-I, recurrent elevations in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) mRNA levels, and five cyclical elevations in E2 levels. This was also associated with a consistently higher pool of small white ovarian follicles. In summary, our results demonstrate first that, regardless of photoperiodic cues, meeting a specific narrow body weight threshold is sufficient to initiate sexual maturation in Leghorn chicken derivatives. Furthermore, recurrent increases in E2 and FSH may be the key to sustain extended laying period, allowing modern layers to double their reproductive capacity compared to their 1960s-counterparts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlene Hanlon
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Kayo Takeshima
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Isa AM, Sun Y, Shi L, Jiang L, Li Y, Fan J, Wang P, Ni A, Huang Z, Ma H, Li D, Chen J. Hybrids generated by crossing elite laying chickens exhibited heterosis for clutch and egg quality traits. Poult Sci 2020; 99:6332-6340. [PMID: 33248549 PMCID: PMC7704758 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.08.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Crossbreeding advantage in hybrids compared with their parents, termed heterosis, has been exhaustively exploited in chicken breeding over the last century. Reports for crossbreeding of elite laying chickens covering rearing and laying period remain infrequent. In this study, resource populations of Rhode Island Red (RIR) and White Leghorn (WL) pure-bred chickens were reciprocally crossed to generate 4 distinct groups that were evaluated for prelaying growth, egg production, and egg quality. Birds monitored for prelaying growth consists of 105 (RIR), 131 (WL), 207 (RIR × WL) and 229 (WL × RIR), and 30 pullets from each group were evaluated. Egg laying records were collected from 102, 89, 147, and 191 hens in the 4 populations, respectively. In addition, expression of 5 candidate genes for egg production in the ovarian follicles was measured by RT-qPCR. Results showed that BW of hatched chicks in the WL line was higher than the other populations. However, the 2 crossbreds grew faster than WL purebred throughout the prelaying period. Low to medium heterosis was observed for BW and body length before the onset of lay. White Leghorn and the hybrids commenced laying earlier than RIR pullets and egg production traits were favorable in the crossbreds compared with purebreds. Heterosis for egg number and clutch size was moderate in WL × RIR but low in RIR × WL hens. Expression of antimullerian hormone gene was high in WL and RIR × WL hybrids, suggesting WL parent-specific enhancing dominant expression. Shell weight was higher in the crossbreds than purebreds at 52 wk of age, but RIR hens laid eggs with higher shell ratio than the other populations (P < 0.05). Conversely, WL and the hybrids had higher eggshell strength than RIR birds (P < 0.05). Eggshell strength was the only egg quality trait that showed heterosis above 10% in WL × RIR hybrids at 32 and 52 wk of age. White Leghorn × RIR hens demonstrated higher percent heterosis for economic traits than birds of the reciprocal hybrid. This means that RIR breed is a better dam than a sire line for growth, egg laying, and egg quality traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adamu M Isa
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Department of Animal Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Yanyan Sun
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Linlin Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yunlei Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jing Fan
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Panlin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Aixin Ni
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ziyan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Hui Ma
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Dongli Li
- Beijing Bainianliyuan Ecological Agriculture Co., Ltd., Beijing 101500, China
| | - Jilan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Li JJ, Zhang L, Ren P, Wang Y, Yin LQ, Ran JS, Zhang XX, Liu YP. Genotype frequency distributions of 28 SNP markers in two commercial lines and five Chinese native chicken populations. BMC Genet 2020; 21:12. [PMID: 32019486 PMCID: PMC7001339 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-020-0815-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Modern breeding in the poultry industry mainly aims to produce high-performance poultry lines and breeds in two main directions of productivity, meat and eggs. To understand more about the productive potential of lowly selected Chinese native chicken populations, we selected 14 representative SNP markers strongly associated with growth traits or carcass traits and 14 SNP markers strongly associated with egg laying traits through previous reports. By using the MassArray technology, we detected the genotype frequency distributions of these 28 SNP markers in seven populations including four lowly selected as well as one moderately selected Sichuan native chicken populations, one commercial broiler line and one commercial layer line. Results Based on the genotype frequency distributions of these 28 SNP markers in 5 native chicken populations and 2 commercial lines, the results suggested that these Chinese indigenous chicken populations have a relatively close relationship with the commercial broiler line but a marked distinction from the commercial layer line. Two native chicken breeds, Shimian Caoke Chicken and Daheng Broilers, share similar genetic structure with the broiler line. Conclusions Our observations may help us to better select and breed superior domestic chickens and provide new clues for further study of breeding programs in local chicken populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Jing Li
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Long Zhang
- Institute of Ecology, Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, 637009, Sichuan, China
| | - Peng Ren
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Ye Wang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Ling-Qian Yin
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Jin-Shan Ran
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Xian-Xian Zhang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi-Ping Liu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan, China.
| |
Collapse
|