Ma Pengyun, Xue Fuguang, Chen Jilan, Zhang Xiaoke, Xu Xinying, Ma Zhong, Zhang Hao, Wu Yan, Li Ling, Qu Yuanqi, Li Yunlei
State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; Nanchang key laboratory of animal health and safety production, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330045, China.
Nanchang key laboratory of animal health and safety production, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330045, China.
Poult Sci. 2025 Feb;104(2):104692. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104692. Epub 2024 Dec 18.
This study aimed to clarify the reproductive remodeling mechanism in enhancing production performance and egg quality during the fasting-induced molting process of laying hens. A total of two-hundred and forty 380-days-old Jingfen No. 6 laying hens, with an average laying rate of 78% were divided into four replicates, with 60 hens in each replicate to receive a four-stage molt induction experiment. The stages encompassed the pre-molt stage (T1), the molt stage (T2), the recovery stage (T3), and the second peak-laying stage (T4). The egg-laying rate and egg quality were recorded during all stages, and sample collection (serum, magnum of oviduct, ovary) was conducted at the end of each stage. The length and index of oviduct, the number of hierarchical follicles, and serum reproductive hormone levels were further measured, followed by the transcriptomic sequencing process on the magnum of the oviduct and ovarian tissues at each stage. Results showed that the fasting treatment induced atrophy of the oviducts, the disappearance of large yellow follicles in the ovaries, and the decrease in serum reproductive hormone levels compared to the pre-molt stage. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes were notably enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, cell adhesion molecules, and the arachidonic acid metabolism signaling pathway during the remodeling phases of oviduct and ovary tissues. Key candidate genes such as BMPR1B, NEGR1, VTN, and CHAD emerged as pivotal in influencing reproductive function remodeling in molt-treated chickens. Additionally, genes associated with steroid biosynthesis showed significant up-regulation in the ovaries of molted hens, correlating positively with egg-laying rates. Furthermore, genes related to collagen and laminin displayed significant positive associations with Albumen height and Haugh unit values. The results indicate that fasting interventions might modulate the remodeling of reproductive functions in laying hens by altering cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, cell adhesion molecules, and arachidonic acid metabolic pathways. Enhanced ovarian steroid biosynthesis and up-regulation of gene expression, including oviductal collagens post-molting, are crucial for enhancing laying rates and egg quality. These findings could offer novel thinking for refining molting protocols.
本研究旨在阐明蛋鸡禁食诱导换羽过程中提高生产性能和蛋品质的生殖重塑机制。选取240只380日龄的京粉6号蛋鸡，平均产蛋率为78%，分为4个重复组，每组60只母鸡，进行四阶段换羽诱导实验。各阶段包括换羽前阶段（T1）、换羽阶段（T2）、恢复阶段（T3）和第二产蛋高峰期（T4）。记录各阶段的产蛋率和蛋品质，并在每个阶段结束时进行样本采集（血清、输卵管峡部、卵巢）。进一步测量输卵管长度和指数、分级卵泡数量以及血清生殖激素水平，随后对各阶段输卵管峡部和卵巢组织进行转录组测序。结果表明，与换羽前阶段相比，禁食处理导致输卵管萎缩、卵巢中大卵泡消失以及血清生殖激素水平下降。转录组分析显示，在输卵管和卵巢组织重塑阶段，差异表达基因显著富集于细胞因子-细胞因子受体相互作用、细胞黏附分子和花生四烯酸代谢信号通路。关键候选基因如BMPR1B、NEGR1、VTN和CHAD在影响换羽处理鸡的生殖功能重塑中起关键作用。此外，与类固醇生物合成相关的基因在换羽母鸡的卵巢中显著上调，与产蛋率呈正相关。此外，与胶原蛋白和层粘连蛋白相关的基因与蛋白高度和哈夫单位值呈显著正相关。结果表明，禁食干预可能通过改变细胞因子-细胞因子受体相互作用、细胞黏附分子和花生四烯酸代谢途径来调节蛋鸡生殖功能的重塑。换羽后卵巢类固醇生物合成增强以及包括输卵管胶原蛋白在内的基因表达上调，对于提高产蛋率和蛋品质至关重要。这些发现可为优化换羽方案提供新思路。
