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]

Abstract

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