Hu Zhi, Xu Hengyong, Zhang Zhipeng, Lu Yuxiang, Zhou Yuxin, Zhu Jiajun, Deng Qingqing, Wang Xi, Liu Yiping, Zhang Yao, Wang Yan
State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu Campus, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, PR China.
Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu Campus, Chengdu 611130, PR China.
Poult Sci. 2025 Feb;104(2):104747. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104747. Epub 2024 Dec 29.
This objective of this experiment was to compare and evaluate the performance, egg quality, and immune function of Tianfu green shell laying hens with varying feather growth rates, in order to provide a reference for their rational utilization. A total of 120 one-day-old healthy Tianfu green shell laying hens were classified into the early-feathering (EF) and late-feathering (LF) groups through phenotypic identification of feather length and qPCR molecular identification. Each group was subdivided into four replicates, with 30 chickens in each replicate. Under the identical feeding and management conditions, the live weight, tibial length, egg production performance, egg quality, serum biochemical indexes, immune protein content, and the expression of related genes in uterine and ovarian tissues were assessed and analyzed. The results indicated that LF hens exhibited significantly greater live weights at 4, 16, 27, and 43 weeks (P < 0.05) and longer tibia lengths at 4 and 16 weeks (P < 0.05) compared to EF hens, suggesting enhanced early growth performance. Conversely, EF hens demonstrated superior egg-laying performance, characterized by a higher laying rate during both peak (27 weeks) and late (43 weeks) laying periods (P < 0.05), despite their eggs being lighter in weight (P < 0.05). Furthermore, EF hens exhibited the production of eggs with significantly thicker and stronger shells during the peak laying period (P < 0.05), while no notable differences were observed in other egg quality parameters. Immunologically, EF hens demonstrated elevated peak serum levels of IgA, IgG, and IgM compared to LF hens. Additionally, the expression levels of IFN-γ and interleukin 6 (IL-6) genes in the ovaries were markedly higher in EF hens. These findings indicate that although LF hens excel in early growth stages, EF hens exhibit superior egg production capabilities and enhanced immune responses.
本实验的目的是比较和评估不同羽毛生长速度的天府绿壳蛋鸡的生产性能、蛋品质和免疫功能，为其合理利用提供参考。通过羽毛长度的表型鉴定和qPCR分子鉴定，将120只1日龄健康的天府绿壳蛋鸡分为早羽组（EF）和晚羽组（LF）。每组再分为4个重复，每个重复30只鸡。在相同的饲养和管理条件下，对鸡的体重、胫长、产蛋性能、蛋品质、血清生化指标、免疫蛋白含量以及子宫和卵巢组织中相关基因的表达进行了评估和分析。结果表明，与EF组母鸡相比，LF组母鸡在4、16、27和43周龄时体重显著更高（P<0.05），在4和16周龄时胫长更长（P<0.05），表明其早期生长性能更强。相反，EF组母鸡产蛋性能更优，其特点是在产蛋高峰期（27周）和后期（43周）产蛋率更高（P<0.05），尽管其蛋重较轻（P<0.05）。此外，EF组母鸡在产蛋高峰期所产鸡蛋的蛋壳显著更厚更硬（P<0.05），而在其他蛋品质参数方面未观察到显著差异。在免疫方面，与LF组母鸡相比，EF组母鸡血清中IgA、IgG和IgM的峰值水平更高。此外，EF组母鸡卵巢中IFN-γ和白细胞介素6（IL-6）基因的表达水平明显更高。这些结果表明，虽然LF组母鸡在早期生长阶段表现出色，但EF组母鸡具有更优的产蛋能力和更强的免疫反应。
