Analysis of the differentially expressed genes in the combs and testes of Qingyuan partridge roosters at different developmental stages.

Background: The sexual maturity of chickens is an important economic trait, and the breeding of precocious and delayed puberty roosters is an important selection strategy for broilers. The comb serves as an important secondary sexual characteristic of roosters and determines their sexual precocity. Moreover, comb development is closely associated with gonad development in roosters.