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Transcriptome analysis reveals differentially expressed genes and pathways for oviduct development and defense in prelaying and laying hens
Author(s) -
Yin Lingqian,
Yu Lintian,
Zhang Long,
Ran Jinshan,
Li Jingjing,
Yang Chaowu,
Jiang Xiaosong,
Du Huarui,
Hu Xiaofang,
Liu Yiping
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/aji.13159
Subject(s) - oviduct , transcriptome , biology , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , gene expression , endocrinology
Problem The oviduct plays an indispensable role in the formation of eggs, especially the magnum and uterus. The identification of oviduct development in different stages will help to target candidate genes and pathways in regulation of albumen and eggshell formation, as well as defense mechanism in oviduct and egg. Methods To identify the function differences and the molecular defense mechanism of the oviduct and egg, we performed transcriptome sequencing analysis of the magnum and uterus in 120‐d‐old and 300‐d‐old Lohmann layers, three birds in each group. Results With fold changes (log2 ratio) ≥ 2 and false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.01, RNA‐Seq revealed 1,040 genes expressed differentially in the magnum and 595 genes in the uterus. By combining GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis, it served to show that gene activities of the magnum and uterus in prelaying chickens were more likely to concentrate on growth and development, and after egg‐laying, they were mainly inclined to enhance the substances transmembrane transport and secretion activities. We further characterized 1579 new genes, while only 803 of them were functionally annotated. A complex mixture of proteins related to defense was measured in this study. A subset of avian β‐defensins (AvBDs) and ovodefensins (OvoDs), that is, AvBD12, AvBD11, AvBD10, OvoDA1, OvoDB1, OvoDA2, OvoDA3, and OvoDBβ, was detected to express in the magnum of laying hens at high levels. Conclusion Collectively, the identification and functional analysis of these differentially expressed genes (DEGs), as well as specific expression of avian defensins, may contribute to understand the development and defense mechanisms of oviduct and eggs.