Diversity analysis, nutrition, and flavor evaluation of amino acids in Chinese native geese germplasms.

Background And Aim: As living standards improve and consumption patterns shift, the market for goose meat continues to grow because of its exceptional dietary quality and distinctive flavor. The composition and content of amino acids are critical for determining the nutritional value and flavor of meat. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional value and flavor of 10 Chinese native geese germplasms based on their amino acid content and composition.

Whole-genome re-sequencing association study on body size traits at 10-weeks of age in Chinese indigenous geese.

To investigate the genetic factors underlying marketed body size traits in Chinese local geese, we conducted a comprehensive study involving nine body size traits in 251 samples at 10 weeks of age from five local breeds: Taihu goose (TH), Sichuan goose (SC), Guangfeng goose (GF), Xupu goose (XP), and Youjiang goose (YJ). Genotyping data were obtained through whole-genome re-sequencing, followed by a genome-wide association analysis utilizing the fixed and random model circulating probability unification (FarmCPU) approach. Our findings revealed 88 significant SNPs associated with body size traits, with 16 SNPs surpassing the genome-wide significance threshold ( = 3.

Telomere-to-telomere genome assembly of the goose Anser cygnoides.

Our study presents the assembly of a high-quality Taihu goose genome at the Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) level. By employing advanced sequencing technologies, including Pacific Biosciences HiFi reads, Oxford Nanopore long reads, Illumina short reads, and chromatin conformation capture (Hi-C), we achieved an exceptional assembly. The T2T assembly encompasses a total length of 1,197,991,206 bp, with contigs N50 reaching 33,928,929 bp and scaffold N50 attaining 81,007,908 bp.

Investigation into the association of and gene expression with plumage coloration in Muscovy ducks.

To elucidate the molecular genetic mechanisms underpinning feather color in Muscovy ducks. A cohort of 100 Muscovy ducks was meticulously selected for this research. Follicular tissues from ducks exhibiting black and white plumage served as the experimental samples.

Exploration of the genetic influence of MYOT and MB genes on the plumage coloration of Muscovy ducks.

Plumage color, a pivotal attribute delineating diverse Muscovy duck strains, assumes considerable significance within the field of Muscovy duck breeding research. This study extends the existing research by delving into the hereditary aspects of genes associated with plumage coloration in Muscovy ducks. The principal objective is to discern marker genes conducive to targeted breeding strategies based on plumage color, thereby furnishing indispensable technical foundations for the development of novel Muscovy duck varieties.

Whole-Transcriptome Sequencing of Ovary Reveals the ceRNA Regulation Network in Egg Production of Gaoyou Duck.

To investigate the regulatory mechanism of the competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) on the egg performance of Gaoyou ducks, full transcriptome sequencing was performed to analyze the ovarian tissues in Gaoyou ducks. The ducks were categorized into high- and low-yield groups based on the individual in-cage egg production records and the hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining results. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) were further processed by GO (gene ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analyses.

Genome-wide selective signatures mining the candidate genes for egg laying in goose.

Background: Improving the egg production of goose is a crucial goal of breeding, because genetics is the key factor affecting egg production. Thus, we sequenced the genomes of 55 Chinese indigenous geese from six breeds, which were divided into the high egg-laying group (ZE, HY, and SC) and low egg-laying group (ZD, LH, and ST). Based on the results of the inter-population selection signal analysis, we mined the selected genome regions in the high egg-laying germplasm population to identify the key candidate genes affecting the egg-laying traits.

Identification of differentially expressed genes and signaling pathways in Gaoyou duck ovary at different physiological stages.

Introduction: Gaoyou duck is famous in China and abroad for its good production of double-yolk eggs. However, there has been no systematic research on the egg-laying characteristics of the Gaoyou duck, which limits the development and utilization of breed resource.

Methods: To identify the essential genes related to ovarian development, the transcriptome profiles of the ovaries of Gaoyou ducks at different physiological stages were analyzed.

Ovarian transcriptome profile from pre-laying period to broody period of Xupu goose.

Xupu goose, a breed from Hunan province, produces high quality and quantity of meat and liver. However, its egg production rate is low, with poor reproductive traits but strong broody performance. These characteristics decrease the economic value of Xupu goose significantly.

Understanding the cross-talk between host and virus in poultry from the perspectives of microRNA.

In poultry, viral infections (e.g., Marek's disease virus, avian leukosis virus, influenza A virus, and so on) can cause devastating mortality and economic losses.

Transgenic sperm produced by electrotransfection and allogeneic transplantation of chicken fetal spermatogonial stem cells.

To study self-renewal, genetic modification, and differentiation of avian spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), we isolated chicken SSCs from fetal testes on the 16th hatching day via enzyme digestion, and then cultured the SSCs over 2 months after purification in vitro. SSCs were identified by alkaline phosphatase staining and SSEA-1 fluorescence. The EGFP gene was transfected into SSCs by three different methods: electroporation, liposome transfer and calcium acid phosphate precipitation.

Efficient generation of transgenic chickens using the spermatogonial stem cells in vivo and ex vivo transfection.

The highly efficient novel methods to produce transgenic chickens were established by directly injecting the recombinant plasmid containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene into the cock's testis termed as testis-medianted gene transfer (TMGT), and transplanting transfected spermatogonial stem cells (TTSSCs). For the TMGT approach, four dosages of pEGFP-N1 DNA/cationic polymer complex were injected intratesticularly. The results showed: (1) 48 h after the injection, the percentages of testis cells expressing GFP were 4.