Unraveling signatures of chicken genetic diversity and divergent selection in breed-specific patterns of early myogenesis, nitric oxide metabolism and post-hatch growth

Due to long-term domestication, breeding and divergent selection, a vast genetic diversity in poultry currently exists, with various breeds being characterized by unique phenotypic and genetic features. Assuming that differences between chicken breeds divergently selected for economically and culturally important traits manifest as early as possible in development and growth stages, we aimed to explore breed-specific patterns and interrelations of embryo myogenesis, nitric oxide (NO) metabolism and post-hatch growth rate (GR). These characteristics were explored in eight breeds of different utility types (meat-type, dual purpose, egg-type, game, and fancy) by incubating 70 fertile eggs per breed. To screen the differential expression of seven key myogenesis associated genes (MSTN, GHR, MEF2C, MYOD1, MYOG, MYH1, and MYF5), quantitative real-time PCR was used. We found that myogenesis associated genes expressed in the breast and thigh muscles in a coordinated manner showing breed specificity as a genetic diversity signature among the breeds studied. Notably, coordinated (“accord”) expression patterns of MSTN, GHR, and MEFC2 were observed both in the breast and thigh muscles. Also, associated expression vectors were identified for MYOG and MYOD1 in the breast muscles and for MYOG and MYF5 genes in the thigh muscles. Indices of NO oxidation and post-hatch growth were generally concordant with utility types of breeds, with meat-types breeds demonstrating higher NO oxidation levels and greater GR values as compared to egg-type, dual purpose, game and fancy breeds. The results of this study suggest that differences in early myogenesis, NO metabolism and post-hatch growth are breed-specific; they appropriately reflect genetic diversity and accurately capture the evolutionary history of divergently selected chicken breeds

Features of fractal conformity and bioconsolidation in the early myogenesis gene expression and their relationship to the genetic diversity of chicken breeds

Simple Summary In the bodies of animals, including birds, gene expression leads to the synthesis of many proteins. To provide optimal cellular and organismal properties and functions, many genes should work in concert, reaching certain balanced relationships (or networks) between them and the intensities of their expression. Here, we studied the expression of several genes responsible for muscle formation and growth in chick embryos of diverse breeds belonging to various utility types. Using two mathematical (fractal) models and the respective indices, we showed that there are specific coordinated patterns of gene expression in the embryonic breast and thigh muscles. These patterns correlated with growth rate of chicks after hatching and depended on a utility type of the breeds studied. Overall, the proposed models contributed to an expanded understanding of the coordinated gene expression in early development and growth, providing additional characteristics of genetic diversity in chickens. Abstract Elements of fractal analysis are widely used in scientific research, including several biological disciplines. In this study, we hypothesized that chicken breed biodiversity manifests not only at the phenotypic level, but also at the genetic-system level in terms of different profiles of fractal conformity and bioconsolidation in the early myogenesis gene expression. To demonstrate this effect, we developed two mathematical models that describe the fractal nature of the expression of seven key genes in the embryonic breast and thigh muscles in eight breeds of meat, dual purpose, egg and game types. In the first model, we produced breed-specific coefficients of gene expression conformity in each muscle type using the slopes of regression dependencies, as well as an integral myogenesis gene expression index (MGEI). Additionally, breed fractal dimensions and integral myogenesis gene expression fractal dimension index (MGEFDI) were determined. The second gene expression model was based on plotting fractal portraits and calculating indices of fractal bioconsolidation. The bioconsolidation index of myogenesis gene expression correlated with the chick growth rate and nitric oxide (NO) oxidation rate. The proposed fractal models were instrumental in interpreting the genetic diversity of chickens at the level of gene expression for early myogenesis, NO metabolism and the postnatal growth of chicks

Breed-specific patterns of early myogenesis, nitric oxide metabolism, and post-hatch growth in relation to genetic diversity and divergent selection in chickens [Породоспецифичные модели раннего миогенеза, метаболизма оксида азота и постнатального роста в связи с генетическим разнообразием и разнонаправленной селекцией у кур]

Aims: There is currently a significant genetic diversity across poultry breeds as a result of long-term domestication, breeding, and divergent selection, with each breed having its own distinctive phenotypic and genetic characteristics [1,2]. We presumed and set out to investigate whether differences between chicken breeds divergently selected for economically and culturally significant traits [3] manifest as early as possible in development and growth stages. Methods: Breed-specific patterns and relationships of embryo myogenesis, nitric oxide (NO) metabolism, and post-hatch growth rate were studied and analyzed [4]. Results: Our research revealed that myogenesis genes were coordinatedly expressed in the thigh and breast muscles, demonstrating breed uniqueness. Indicators of NO oxidation and post-hatch growth were largely consistent with utility breed types, with meat breeds showing higher NO oxidation levels and better growth rate values in comparison to egg, dual purpose, game, and fancy breeds. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that breed-specific variations in early myogenesis, NO metabolism, and post-hatch growth adequately represent genetic variety and reliably depict the evolutionary history of diversely chosen chicken breeds

[The effect of the prebiotic Vetelact on the gut microbiota of chickens of the parent herd] Влияние пребиотика Ветелакт на микробиоту кишечника кур родительского стада

Using molecular genetic technologies, the positive effect of the prebiotic Vetelact on the intestinal microbiota of commercial laying hens has been shown. С использованием молекулярно-генетических технологий показано положительное влияние пребиотика Ветелакт на микробиоту кишечника промышленных кур-несушек

[Methodical recommendations on the use of antimicrobial feed additive for the prevention of stress in industrial crosses of laying hens] Методические рекомендации по применению антимикробной кормовой добавки для профилактики стрессов у промышленных кроссов кур-несушек

The methodological recommendations were developed within the framework of the Grant Agreement No. 14.W03.31.0013 dated February 20, 2017 as part of the implementation of the Russian Federation Government Resolution No. 220 dated April 9, 2010 on the topic “Development of State-of-the-Art Biotechnologies to Assess Gene Expression in Relation to Performance and Disease Resistance in Poultry Industry”. The methodological recommendations are intended for specialists and managers of poultry farms, farmers, researchers, teachers and students of agricultural universities as well as students of the advanced training system. The methodological recommendations were approved by the UMK FZTA, Protocol No. 04 dated December 14, 2021. Методические рекомендации разработаны в рамках Договора о выделении гранта № 14.W03.31.0013 от 20 февраля 2017 г. в рамках реализации постановления Правительства Российской Федерации от 9 апреля 2010 г. № 220 по теме «Разработка современных биотехнологий для оценки экспрессии генов в связи с продуктивностью и устойчивостью к заболеваниям в птицеводстве». Методические рекомендации предназначены для специалистов и руководителей птицеводческих хозяйств, фермеров, научных работников, преподавателей, аспирантов и студентов сельскохозяйственных вузов, слушателей системы повышения квалификации. Методические рекомендации одобрены УМК ФЗТА, Протокол № 04 от «14» декабря 2021 г

[Methodical recommendations on the implementation of the developed system for the prevention of pathogen bacteria by correcting diets in laying hens and using antimicrobial additives] Методические рекомендации по внедрению разработанной системы профилактики бактерий-патогенов путем коррекции рационов питания у кур несушек и применения антимикробных добавок

The recommendations are intended for specialists and managers of poultry farms, farmers, researchers, teachers and students of agricultural universities as well as students of the advanced training system. Рекомендации предназначены для специалистов и руководителей птицеводческих хозяйств, фермеров, научных работников, преподавателей и студентов сельскохозяйственных вузов, слушателей системы повышения квалификации

[Practical recommendations for the use of feed additives to improve the productivity and stress resistance of egg poultry] Практические рекомендации по применению кормовых добавок для улучшения продуктивности и стрессоустойчивости яичной птицы

The recommendations are intended for specialists and managers of poultry farms, farmers, researchers, teachers and students of agricultural universities as well as students of the advanced training system. Рекомендации предназначены для специалистов и руководителей птицеводческих хозяйств, фермеров, научных работников, преподавателей и студентов сельскохозяйственных вузов, слушателей системы повышения квалификации