Koodali Nimisha1, Krishnamoorthy Srikanth2, Dinesh Velayutham3, Dharam Nandan3, Shanmugam Sankaralingam4, Muniyandi Nagarajan5. 1. Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, 671316, Kasaragod, Kerala, India. 2. Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, NY, United States. 3. AgriGenome Labs Pvt. Ltd, 682042, Kochi, Kerala, India. 4. Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 680 651, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala, India. 5. Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, 671316, Kasaragod, Kerala, India. nagarajan@cukerala.ac.in.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Molecular studies on egg production in ducks were mostly focused on brain and ovaries as they are directly involved in egg production. Liver plays a vital role in cellular lipid metabolism. It also plays a decisive role in reproductive organ development, including yolk generation in laying ducks at sexual maturity. However, the precise molecular mechanism involved in the liver-blood-ovary axis in ducks remains elusive. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we analysed the liver transcriptome of laying (LA), immature (IM) and broody (BR) ducks using RNA sequencing to understand the role of genes expressed in the liver. The comparative transcriptome analysis revealed 82 DEGs between LA and IM ducks, 47 DEGs between LA and BR ducks and 51 DEGs between IM and BR ducks. GO analysis of DEGs, showed that DEGs were mainly involved in cellular anatomical entity, intracellular, metabolic process, and binding. Furthermore, pathway analysis indicated the important role of Wnt signaling pathway in egg formation and embryo development. Our study showed several candidate genes including vitellogenin-1, vitellogenin-2, riboflavin binding protein, G protein subunit gamma 4, and fatty acid binding protein 3 that are potentially related to egg production in ducks. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides valuable information on the genes responsible for egg production and thus, pave the way for further investigation on the molecular mechanisms of egg production in duck.
BACKGROUND: Molecular studies on egg production in ducks were mostly focused on brain and ovaries as they are directly involved in egg production. Liver plays a vital role in cellular lipid metabolism. It also plays a decisive role in reproductive organ development, including yolk generation in laying ducks at sexual maturity. However, the precise molecular mechanism involved in the liver-blood-ovary axis in ducks remains elusive. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we analysed the liver transcriptome of laying (LA), immature (IM) and broody (BR) ducks using RNA sequencing to understand the role of genes expressed in the liver. The comparative transcriptome analysis revealed 82 DEGs between LA and IM ducks, 47 DEGs between LA and BR ducks and 51 DEGs between IM and BR ducks. GO analysis of DEGs, showed that DEGs were mainly involved in cellular anatomical entity, intracellular, metabolic process, and binding. Furthermore, pathway analysis indicated the important role of Wnt signaling pathway in egg formation and embryo development. Our study showed several candidate genes including vitellogenin-1, vitellogenin-2, riboflavin binding protein, G protein subunit gamma 4, and fatty acid binding protein 3 that are potentially related to egg production in ducks. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides valuable information on the genes responsible for egg production and thus, pave the way for further investigation on the molecular mechanisms of egg production in duck.