Novel and traditional eggshell quality measurements were made from up to 2000 commercial pedigree hens for a candidate gene association analysis with organic eggshell matrix genes: ovocleidin-116, osteopontin (SPP1), ovocalyxin-32 (RARRES1), ovotransferrin (LTF), ovalbumin and ovocalyxin-36, as well as key genes in the maintenance and function of the shell gland [estrogen receptor (ESR1) and carbonic anhydrase II (CAII)]. Associations were found for (i) ovalbumin with breaking strength and shell thickness; (ii) ovocleidin-116 with elastic modulus, shell thickness and egg shape; (iii) RARRES1 with mammillary layer thickness; (iv) ESR1 with dynamic stiffness; (v) SPP1 with fracture toughness and (vi) CAII with egg shape. The marker effects are as large as 17% of trait standard deviations and could be used to improve eggshell quality.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2052.2008.01794.x | DOI Listing |
Int J Mol Sci
December 2024
Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory for Livestock Germplasm Innovation & Utilization, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Street, Taian 271018, China.
Pimpled eggs have defective shells, which severely impacts hatching rates and transportation safety. In this study, we constructed single-cell resolution transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility maps from uterine tissues of chickens using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-cell ATAC sequencing (scATAC-seq). We identified 11 major cell types and characterized their marker genes, along with specific transcription factors (TFs) that determine cell fate.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFoods
December 2024
Zootechnics Department, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife 52171-900, PE, Brazil.
The egg has natural barriers that prevent microbiological contamination and promote food safety. The use of non-destructive methods to obtain morphometric measurements of chicken eggs has the potential to replace traditional invasive techniques, offering greater efficiency and accuracy. This paper aims to demonstrate that estimates derived from non-invasive approaches, such as 3D computed tomography (CT) image analysis, can be comparable to conventional destructive methods.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAntioxidants (Basel)
November 2024
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
Oxidative stress is a crucial factor contributing to ovarian follicular atresia and an imbalance in ovarian energy metabolism in poultry, leading to decreased laying performance in aging hens. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a natural flavonoid, fisetin, on laying performance, ovarian redox status, and energy metabolism in laying chickens. The results showed that dietary fisetin supplementation improved egg production and eggshell quality in aging laying chickens, reduced follicular atresia rate, promoted ovarian cell proliferation, elevated serum estrogen and progesterone levels, restored ovarian antioxidant capacity, and improved energy metabolism.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiology (Basel)
December 2024
College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China.
The eggshell quality traits in avian species, including Yunnong chickens (YN), are crucial for commercial and breeding purposes. The use of advanced biotechnologies, such as gene sequencing, has become increasingly common for identifying genetic markers and comparing specific traits in livestock. However, genetic markers related to eggshell traits in YN chickens remain unexplored.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnimals (Basel)
December 2024
Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Rodovia PB-079, Areia 58397-000, PB, Brazil.
In tropical and subtropical climate regions, heat stress is one of the main causes of production losses in laying quails, aggravated by the antinutritional effects of the phytate in diet ingredients, which negatively affect the bioavailability of minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus. This situation results in a reduction in production and the quality of eggs from commercial laying quails. Several nutritional strategies are utilized to reduce the adverse effects of high temperatures and antinutritional factors such as phytate.
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