Transcriptomic analyses of the HPG axis-related tissues reveals potential candidate genes and regulatory pathways associated with egg production in ducks

• DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08483-y
• Publication Date: 2022-04-08T08:04:34Z
• Authors: Xiping Yan; Hehe Liu; Jiwei Hu; Xingfa Han; Jingjing Qi; Qingyuan Ouyang; Bo Hu; Hua He; Liang Li; Jiwen Wang; Xianyin Zeng
• Keywords: KEGG; Hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis; Candidate gene

Abstract Background Egg production is one of the most important economic traits in poultry industry. The hypothalamic-pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis plays an essential role regulating reproductive activities. However, key genes and regulatory pathways within HPG dominating egg performance remain largely unknown ducks. Results In this study, we compared transcriptomic profiles HPG-related tissues between ducks with high (HEP) low (LEP) to reveal candidate production. We identified 543, 759, 670, 181 differentially expressed (DEGs) hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary stroma, F5 follicle membrane, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that DEGs from four axis-related were enriched "cellular component" category. Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes Genomes (KEGG) enrichment indicated neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway was significantly based on commonly all tissues. expression Protein–Protein Interaction (PPI) network performed show relationships identified. Five encoding secreted proteins hypothalamus pituitary have targeted stroma implying they these might play similar roles regulation Conclusions Our results five genes( VEGFC , SPARC BMP2 THBS1 ADAMTS15 ) as signaling responsible for different HEP LEP. This first study comparing LEP using RNA-seq best our knowledge. These data are helpful enrich understanding classical identify can be used genetic selection