Deciphering the coordinated roles of the host genome, duodenal mucosal genes, and microbiota in regulating complex traits in chickens.

Background: The complex interactions between host genetics and the gut microbiome are well documented. However, the specific impacts of gene expression patterns and microbial composition on each other remain to be further explored.

Results: Here, we investigated this complex interplay in a sizable population of 705 hens, employing integrative analyses to examine the relationships among the host genome, mucosal gene expression, and gut microbiota.

Pedigree reconstruction based on genotype data in chickens.

A reliable pedigree serves as the backbone of genetic evolution in domesticated animals, providing guidance for daily management and breeding strategies. However, in commercial chicken breeding, pedigree errors and omissions are common. The large-scale application of genomic selection provides an opportunity to reconstruct chicken pedigrees using SNP markers.

Engineering of MnTe/MnO Heterostructures with Interfacial Electric Field Modulation for Efficient and Durable Li-O Batteries.

Design and synthesis of highly active and robust bifunctional cathode catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are of vital significance for practical applications of lithium-oxygen (Li-O) batteries. Herein, a built-in electric field (BIEF) strategy is reported to fabricate MnTe/MnO heterostructures with a large work function difference (ΔΦ) as a bifunctional cathode catalyst in Li-O batteries. The MnTe/MnO heterostructures with nanosheets and microporous structures result in an abundance of exposed active sites and facilitate mass transfer.

Calcium deposition in chicken eggshells: role of host genetics and gut microbiota.

Eggshell is predominantly composed of calcium carbonate, making up about 95% of its composition. Eggshell quality is closely related to the amount of calcium deposition in the shell, which requires chickens to maintain a robust state of calcium metabolism. In this study, we introduced a novel parameter, Total Eggshell Weight (TESW), which measures the total weight of eggshells produced by chickens over a period of 10 consecutive d, providing valuable information on the intensity of calcium metabolism in chickens.

Synergy of gut microbiota and host genome in driving heterosis expression of chickens.

Heterosis has been widely utilized in agricultural production. Despite over a century of extensive research, the underlying mechanisms of heterosis remain elusive. Most hypotheses and research have focused on the genetic basis of heterosis.

Runs of homozygosity and selection signature analyses reveal putative genomic regions for artificial selection in layer breeding.

Background: The breeding of layers emphasizes the continual selection of egg-related traits, such as egg production, egg quality and eggshell, which enhance their productivity and meet the demand of market. As the breeding process continued, the genomic homozygosity of layers gradually increased, resulting in the emergence of runs of homozygosity (ROH). Therefore, ROH analysis can be used in conjunction with other methods to detect selection signatures and identify candidate genes associated with various important traits in layer breeding.

Mechanisms of hepatic steatosis in chickens: integrated analysis of the host genome, molecular phenomics and gut microbiome.

Hepatic steatosis is the initial manifestation of abnormal liver functions and often leads to liver diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in humans and fatty liver syndrome in animals. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of a large chicken population consisting of 705 adult hens by combining host genome resequencing; liver transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome analysis; and microbial 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing of each gut segment. The results showed the heritability (h2 = 0.

Self-Catalyzed Growth of CoN and N-Doped Carbon Nanotubes toward Bifunctional Cathode for Highly Safe and Flexible Li-Air Batteries.

The practical application of high-energy density lithium-oxygen (Li-O) batteries is severely impeded by the notorious cycling stability and safety, which mainly comes from slow kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at cathodes, causing inferior redox overpotentials and reactive lithium metal in flammable liquid electrolyte. Herein, a bifunctional electrode, a safe gel polymer electrolyte (GPE), and a robust lithium anode are proposed to alleviate above problems. The bifunctional electrode is composed of N-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) and CoN by chemical vapor deposition self-catalyzed growth on carbon cloth (N-CNTs@CoN@CC).

The genomic characteristics affect phenotypic diversity from the perspective of genetic improvement of economic traits.

The genetic improvement of economic traits suggests that chicken is an excellent model for exploring the genetic changes and molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic diversity and artificial selection. Here, the sequencing data including 477 samples from 25 breeds worldwide were used to reveal the genomic patterns of chicken domestication. We analyzed 7.

Genetic and microbiome analysis of feed efficiency in laying hens.

Improving feed efficiency is an important target for poultry breeding. Feed efficiency is affected by host genetics and the gut microbiota, but many of the mechanisms remain elusive in laying hens, especially in the late laying period. In this study, we measured feed intake, body weight, and egg mass of 714 hens from a pedigreed line from 69 to 72 wk of age and calculated the residual feed intake (RFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR).

Associations of the T329S Polymorphism in Flavin-Containing Monooxygenase 3 With Atherosclerosis and Fatty Liver Syndrome in 90-Week-Old Hens.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the spontaneous genetic mutation T329S in flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) on atherosclerosis (AS), fatty liver syndrome (FLS), and adiposity in 90-week-old layers. At 90 weeks of age, 27 genotyped Rhode Island White chickens (consisting of nine AA hens, nine AT hens, and nine TT hens) with normal laying performance were selected. The AS lesions, incidence of FLS, fat deposition, metabolic characteristics, and production performance of these egg-layers with different genotypes were assessed.

Eutectic Crystallization Activates Solid-State Zinc-Ion Conduction.

Solid-state zinc (Zn) batteries offer a new candidate for emerging applications sensitive to volume, safety and cost. However, current solid polymeric or ceramic electrolyte structures remain poorly conductive for the divalent Zn , especially at room temperature. Constructing a heterogeneous interface which allows Zn percolation is a viable option, but this is rarely involved in multivalent systems.

Microbiota continuum along the chicken oviduct and its association with host genetics and egg formation.

The microbiota of female reproductive tract have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to their effects on host fitness. However, the microbiota throughout the chicken oviduct and its symbiotic relationships with the host have not been well characterized. Here, we characterized the microbial composition of six segments of the reproductive tract, including the infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus, vagina and cloaca, in pedigreed laying hens with phenotypes of egg quality and quantity.

In Situ Polymerization Permeated Three-Dimensional Li-Percolated Porous Oxide Ceramic Framework Boosting All Solid-State Lithium Metal Battery.

Solid-state lithium battery promises highly safe electrochemical energy storage. Conductivity of solid electrolyte and compatibility of electrolyte/electrode interface are two keys to dominate the electrochemical performance of all solid-state battery. By in situ polymerizing poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate within self-supported three-dimensional porous LiAlTi(PO) framework, the as-assembled solid-state battery employing 4.

Design and evaluation of a custom 50K Infinium SNP array for egg-type chickens.

With the development of molecular genetics and high-throughput sequencing technology, genotyping arrays consisting of large numbers of SNP have raised great interest in animal and plant research. However, the application of commercial chicken 600K SNP arrays has varied in different populations of egg-type chickens. Moreover, their genotyping cost is too high for large-scale population applications.

Differential proteomic analysis revealed crucial egg white proteins for hatchability of chickens.

For healthy development, an avian embryo needs the nutritional and functional molecules maternally deposited in avian eggs. Egg white not only provides nutritional components but also exhibits functional properties, such as defenses against microbial invasion. However, the roles of the more detailed messages in embryo development remain unclear.

Genome-wide association analysis of egg production performance in chickens across the whole laying period.

Background: Egg production is the most economically-important trait in layers as it directly influences benefits of the poultry industry. To better understand the genetic architecture of egg production, we measured traits including age at first egg (AFE), weekly egg number (EN) from onset of laying eggs to 80 weeks which was divided into five stage (EN1: from onset of laying eggs to 23 weeks, EN2: from 23 to 37 weeks, EN3: from 37 to 50 weeks, EN4: from 50 to 61 weeks, EN5: from 61 to 80 weeks) based on egg production curve and total egg number across the whole laying period (Total-EN). Then we performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in 1078 Rhode Island Red hens using a linear mixed model.

Genetic variations for egg quality of chickens at late laying period revealed by genome-wide association study.

With the extension of the egg-laying cycle, the rapid decline in egg quality at late laying period has aroused great concern in the poultry industry. Herein, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genomic variations associated with egg quality, employing chicken 600 K high-density SNP arrays in a population of 1078 hens at 72 and 80 weeks of age. The results indicated that a genomic region spanning from 8.

Genome-Wide Association Analysis of Age-Dependent Egg Weights in Chickens.

Egg weight (EW) is an economically-important trait and displays a consecutive increase with the hen's age. Because extremely large eggs cause a range of problems in the poultry industry, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in order to identify genomic variations that are associated with EW. We utilized the Affymetrix 600 K high density SNP array in a population of 1,078 hens at seven time points from day at first egg to 80 weeks age (EW80).

Genomic prediction in a nuclear population of layers using single-step models.

Single-step genomic prediction method has been proposed to improve the accuracy of genomic prediction by incorporating information of both genotyped and ungenotyped animals. The objective of this study is to compare the prediction performance of single-step model with a 2-step models and the pedigree-based models in a nuclear population of layers. A total of 1,344 chickens across 4 generations were genotyped by a 600 K SNP chip.

Genome-wide identification of copy number variations between two chicken lines that differ in genetic resistance to Marek's disease.

Background: Copy number variation (CNV) is a major source of genome polymorphism that directly contributes to phenotypic variation such as resistance to infectious diseases. Lines 63 and 72 are two highly inbred experimental chicken lines that differ greatly in susceptibility to Marek's disease (MD), and have been used extensively in efforts to identify the genetic and molecular basis for genetic resistance to MD. Using next generation sequencing, we present a genome-wide assessment of CNVs that are potentially associated with genetic resistance to MD.

Genome-wide patterns of copy number variation in the diversified chicken genomes using next-generation sequencing.

Background: Copy number variation (CNV) is important and widespread in the genome, and is a major cause of disease and phenotypic diversity. Herein, we performed a genome-wide CNV analysis in 12 diversified chicken genomes based on whole genome sequencing.

Results: A total of 8,840 CNV regions (CNVRs) covering 98.