Xu Naiyi, Zhang Linyun, Chen Feifan, Feng Zhengfu, Zheng Jiangtao, Li DongHua, Zhao Yongju, Kang Xiangtao
College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
Chongqing Key Laboratory of Herbivore Science, Chongqing, 400715, China.
J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2025 Feb 8;16(1):22. doi: 10.1186/s40104-025-01154-4.
As an important genetic resource of chickens, gamecock has unique morphological and behavioral characteristics such as large size, muscular development and strong aggression, making it a good model for studying muscle development and behavior patterns, as well as an excellent breeding material. Gamecocks are distributed worldwide, forming different breeds and strains. However, the single or multiple origin of global gamecocks has not been fully established and much remains unknown about genetic introgression events between gamecocks and other chickens. Therefore, in this study, based on whole genome data of gamecocks, Chinese indigenous chickens, commercial chickens and wild jungle fowls, we performed population structure analysis, selection signal analysis, and genomic introgression analysis of gamecocks.
The population structure analysis revealed that gamecocks have multiple origins. In addition, we used Fst, π-Ratio and XP-EHH methods to explore the candidate signatures of positive selection in gamecocks. A total number of fifteen shared candidate genes were identified using the three different detection strategies. Among these candidate genes, ETV1, DGKB, AGMO, MEOX2, ISPD and PLCB4 are related to the growth and muscle development, fighting performance and neurodevelopment of gamecocks. Furthermore, we detected the introgression event at the MYBPHL region from the Gallus sonneratii into Euramerican gamecocks and at the CPZ gene region from the Gallus gallus gallus into multiple gamecock populations, respectively, indicating the introgression from the wild junglefowl may impact the skeletal and muscle development as well as aggressive behavior of gamecocks.
In summary, we conducted a genome-wide exploration of gamecocks from multiple regions worldwide. Our analysis confirmed multiple origins of gamecocks and detected several candidate genes that are possibly related to important traits and characteristics in gamecocks. More importantly, this is the first study that has detected introgression events and genes from wild jungle fowls to gamecocks, which provides evidence of the wild jungle fowls contributing to the genetic diversity of gamecocks. Our findings offer new perspectives on the impact of introgression on gamecocks, and provide a basis for further resource conservation and utilization of gamecock, as well as provide excellent material for the genetic improvement of domestic chickens.
斗鸡作为鸡的一种重要遗传资源，具有体型大、肌肉发达和攻击性强等独特的形态和行为特征，使其成为研究肌肉发育和行为模式的良好模型，也是优良的育种材料。斗鸡分布于世界各地，形成了不同的品种和品系。然而，全球斗鸡的单一起源或多起源尚未完全确定，关于斗鸡与其他鸡种之间的基因渐渗事件仍有许多未知之处。因此，在本研究中，基于斗鸡、中国地方鸡种、商品鸡和野生原鸡的全基因组数据，我们对斗鸡进行了群体结构分析、选择信号分析和基因组渐渗分析。
群体结构分析表明斗鸡有多个起源。此外，我们使用Fst、π-ratio和XP-EHH方法探索斗鸡中正向选择的候选信号。使用三种不同的检测策略共鉴定出15个共享候选基因。在这些候选基因中，ETV1、DGKB、AGMO、MEOX2、ISPD和PLCB4与斗鸡的生长、肌肉发育、打斗性能和神经发育有关。此外，我们分别检测到了红原鸡向欧美斗鸡的MYBPHL区域以及家鸡向多个斗鸡群体的CPZ基因区域的渐渗事件，这表明来自野生原鸡的渐渗可能会影响斗鸡的骨骼和肌肉发育以及攻击行为。
综上所述，我们对来自全球多个地区的斗鸡进行了全基因组探索。我们的分析证实了斗鸡的多起源，并检测到了几个可能与斗鸡重要性状和特征相关的候选基因。更重要的是，这是第一项检测到从野生原鸡到斗鸡的渐渗事件和基因的研究，这为野生原鸡对斗鸡遗传多样性的贡献提供了证据。我们的发现为渐渗对斗鸡的影响提供了新的视角，并为进一步保护和利用斗鸡资源提供了依据，同时也为家鸡的遗传改良提供了优良材料。
