Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata) exhibit strong nesting tendencies, which result in reduced egg-laying performance. The research team previously identified differential expression of the Ras homolog family member B (RHOB) gene in the ovaries of Muscovy duck during the nesting and laying periods through RNA-seq and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis. This finding suggested that RHOB may be associated with nesting behavior in Muscovy ducks. Previous studies have demonstrated that the nesting behavior of Muscovy ducks is closely associated with the proliferation and apoptosis of their ovarian granulosa cells. It is speculated that RHOB may be involved in the proliferation and apoptosis of Muscovy duck ovarian granulosa cells. This study employed qPCR, immunofluorescence staining, live-cell Caspase3 activity and mitochondrial membrane potential assays, reactive oxygen species (ROS) staining, 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, cell cycle analysis, cell apoptosis detection and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays. Our results showed that RHOB inhibited granulosa cell apoptosis and promoted granulosa cell proliferation. Similarly, in a granulosa cell apoptosis model, RHOB was also found to inhibit apoptosis in Muscovy duck granulosa cells. Further studies revealed that RHOB regulates mitochondrial function in granulosa cells. The combined experimental results indicate that RHOB regulates granulosa cell apoptosis in Muscovy duck follicles via the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. These findings provide an experimental basis and theoretical foundation for the selective breeding of desirable traits in Muscovy ducks, such as low nesting behavior and high egg production.

In order to analyze the relationship between organic matrix and eggshell properties in Muscovy duck eggshells with different qualities, the organic matrices in the eggshells of normal, pimpled and striped eggs of white-feathered Muscovy ducks were extracted and separated into acid-insoluble, water-insoluble and facultative-soluble matrix (both acid- and water-soluble). There was no significant difference in calcified shell thickness between normal and pimpled eggs. However, the percentages of acid-insoluble matrix and total matrix were significantly higher, and the breaking strength was significantly lower in pimpled eggs than those in normal eggs. In striped eggs, the percentages of acid-insoluble matrix, facultative-soluble matrix and total matrix, calcified shell weight, calcified shell thickness and breaking strength were significantly lower than those in normal eggs. The amount and percentage of 3 organic matrices (water-insoluble matrix, facultative-soluble matrix, and total matrix) were significantly positively correlated with calcified shell thickness in normal eggs rather than striped and pimpled eggs. Our results also demonstrated that there was no linear correlation between the organic components in the 3 Muscovy duck eggshells and the mechanical properties of the eggshells. The lower breaking strength of pimpled eggshells might be due to the unbalanced enrichment of certain proteins, whereas the striped eggs might mainly result from thinner calcified shells and poor balance between different sedimentary layers.

There are recent reports of the important functions of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in female reproductive and ovarian development. Studies in which there was characterization of lncRNAs in the ovaries of laying compared with nesting poultry, however, are limited. In this study, RNA libraries were constructed by obtaining sequencing data of ovarian tissues from laying and nesting Muscovy ducks. In the ovarian tissues of Muscovy ducks, a total of 334 differentially abundant mRNA transcripts (DEGs) and 36 differentially abundant lncRNA transcripts were identified in the nesting period, when compared with during the laying period. These results were subsequently validated by qRT-PCR using nine randomly-selected lncRNAs and six randomly-selected DAMTs. Furthermore, the cis- and trans-regulatory target genes of differentially abundant lncRNA transcripts were identified, and lncRNA-gene interaction networks of 34 differentially abundant lncRNAs and 263 DEGs were constructed. A total of 7601 lncRNAs neighboring 10,542 protein-coding genes were identified and found to be enriched in the Wnt signaling pathway and oocyte meiosis pathways associated with follicular development. Overall, only 11 cis-targets and 57 mRNA-mRNA except trans-targets were involved in the lncRNA-gene interaction networks. Based on the interaction networks, nine DEGs were trans-regulated by differentially abundant lncRNAs and 20 differentially abundant lncRNAs were hypothesized to have important functions in the regulation of broodiness in Muscovy ducks. In this study, a predicted interaction network of differentially abundant lncRNAs and DEGs in Muscovy ducks was constructed for the first time leading to an enhanced understanding of lncRNA and gene interactions regulating broodiness.

Much attention has been paid to the broodiness of the Muscovy duck, but the molecular mechanism of broodiness remains largely unknown. In this study, the ovary tissues of Muscovy ducks during the broody and laying periods were used to investigate differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) by the iTRAQ-based proteomics approach. A total of 335 DEPs were identified, including 139 up-regulated and 196 down-regulated proteins. Six proteins (APOV1, GAL, SAA, GNB5, VLDLR and CDK1) with higher changes in expression were selected, and these proteins are mainly involved in the pathways related to reproductive performance, such as Oocyte meiosis, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Steroid biosynthesis was the most significantly enriched pathway by KEGG pathway enriched analysis. The qRT-PCR analysis was applied to verify the proteomic analysis. Meanwhile, metabolomics analysis found that several important differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) (7-dehydrodesmosterol, 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Pregnanolone, Allopregnanolone and estrogen) that were also mainly involved in Steroid biosynthesis, Steroid hormone biosynthesis and Metabolic pathways. Crucially, the changes in the abundance of these metabolites are closely related to the changes in the protein abundance of proteins identified in the same pathway, and it is always the upstream key enzymes that influence the production of downstream metabolites.

The green eggshell color produced by ducks is a threshold trait that can be influenced by various factors, such as hereditary, environment and nutrition. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic regulation of the formation of eggs with green shells in Youxian ducks. We performed integrative analysis of mRNAs and miRNAs expression profiling in the shell gland samples from ducks by RNA-Seq. We found 124 differentially expressed genes that were associated with various pathways, such as the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter and solute carrier supper family pathways. A total of 31 differentially expressed miRNAs were found between ducks laying green eggs and white eggs. KEGG pathway analysis of the predicted miRNA target genes also indicated the functional characteristics of these miRNAs; they were involved in the ABC transporter pathway and the solute carrier (SLC) supper family. Analysis with qRT-PCR was applied to validate the results of global gene expression, which showed a correlation between results obtained by RNA-seq and RT-qPCR. Moreover, a miRNA-mRNA interaction network was established using correlation analysis of differentially expressed mRNA and miRNA. Compared to ducks that lay white eggs, ducks that lay green eggs include six up-regulated miRNAs that had regulatory effects on 35 down-regulated genes, and seven down-regulated miRNAs which influenced 46 up-regulated genes. For example, the ABC transporter pathway could be regulated by expressing gga-miR-144-3p (up-regulated) with ABCG2 (up-regulated) and other miRNAs and genes. This study provides valuable information about mRNA and miRNA regulation in duck shell gland tissues, and provides foundational information for further study on the eggshell color formation and marker-assisted selection for Youxian duck breeding.

表皮生长因子(EGF)是表皮上生长家族的重要调节因子之一,可促进细胞增殖分化、调控细胞的衰老以及诱导肿瘤的发生.在动物卵巢卵泡的研究中发现,EGF可以有效地抑制卵泡细胞的凋亡、促进颗粒细胞的增殖和卵母细胞的成熟,因此近年来受到了越来越多的学者的关注.为了进一步认识EGF基因对各级卵泡的调节作用,文章拟从EGF基因的结构、对卵泡发育的作用机理等角度进行阐述,为研究EGF基因参与调控动物卵泡发育过程的作用机制提供参考.

当前,我国盐业行业正处在大变革阶段,传统的盐业管理体制正在瓦解,新的更具竞争力和效率的盐业管理制度正在构建。而一直处于盐业专营机制下的福建省山腰盐场,在受到这一政策保护的同时,也面临着应对市场的竞争和挑战。如何在盐业改革步伐不断逼近的情况下,转变观念,提升能力,转型发展是山腰盐场迫在眉睫的难题。

本试验以金定鸭、褐色菜鸭和攸县麻鸭为素材,在相同的饲养管理和孵化条件下,对3个蛋鸭品种的产蛋性能、青壳率、受精率、受精蛋孵化率和不同阶段体重进行观测.结果表明:3个蛋鸭品种中攸县麻鸭300日龄产蛋量(144个)最高,见蛋日龄(96d)和开产日龄(123d)最早,因此3个蛋鸭品种中以攸县麻鸭产蛋性能最好;褐色菜鸭和攸县麻鸭公、母鸭30日龄体重、开产体重、300日龄蛋重差异均不显著(P＞0.05),由此可见,褐色菜鸭与攸县麻鸭属于同一类型蛋鸭品种.3个蛋鸭各品种的入孵蛋重与出壳重均呈极显著正相关(P＜0.01).

Vertebrate’s reproduction was regula ted by series of signaling pathways.Kisspeptin/GPR54 system is the regulator of vertebrate’s sexual development beginning and reproduction because Kisspeptin/GPR54 can activate the pulsatile release of GnRH.Kisspeptin with its GPR54 receptor give full play to their functions via activating variety of signals.This review introduce the conception and discovery of Kisspeptin/GPR54 system first then give a further explanation on the important role that Kisspeptin/GPR54 system play in vertebrate ’s reproduction.

【Objective】 The objective of this experiment is to identify differentially expressed genes of Muscovy Duck broodiness.【Method】cDNA-AFLP approach was employed to analyze genes differentially expressed in broodiness and non-broodiness Muscovy Duck individuals derived from a single RF white feathers line.【Result】 There were 82 differentially expressed bands associated with broodiness behaviors,15 bands of them were subject to sequence analysis.Database searches indicate that 8 cDNA fragments show high homology to known genes,which include some function genes in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis regulating reproduction,such as GnRH gene and FSH gene.Meanwhile genes were also found in GH-IGF axis,such as GH gene.Other genes participated in signal transduction,transcription,metabolism biological processes,such as superoxide dismutase,keratin related protein,thiocyanate enzyme release S-transferase enzymes etc.Two cDNA fragments show homology to unknown function genes,5 cDNA fragments show no detectable homology to know genes,suggesting that they probably represent novel genes.Three bands selected randomly from them were confirmed by RT-PCR and that result was consistent with the results of cDNA-AFLP.【Conclusion】 The results of this paper uncovered the regulation mode of gene express variation of different Muscovy Duck broodiness traits,and thus further providing the molecular mechanism of broodiness of Muscovy Duck.

促性腺激素释放激素(GnRH)和生长激素(GH)分别是下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴(HPG)与GH/IGF轴分泌的激素,共同参与调控动物的繁殖性能.本研究以白羽番鸭(Cairina moschata)RF系为实验材料,采用PCR-SSCP技术进行基因分型,同时建立适合的线性统计模型,分析基因型与产蛋性能的关联性.结果表明,GnRH基因5’调控区检测到3种基因型AA/AB/BB,经测序比对AA型与BB型相比发生G→A突变,不同基因型与300日龄产蛋数和最大连产天数均显著相关(P＜0.05),与开产日龄无显著相关(P＞0.05); GH基因内含子3检测到3种基因型CC/CD/DD,经测序比对CC型与DD型相比发生A→G突变,不同基因型与最长连产天数显著相关(P＜0.05),与300日龄产蛋数和开产日龄均无显著相关(P＞0.05).两个基因发挥作用的方式主要为加性效应,GnRH基因对300日龄产蛋数和最大连产天数的加性效应值分别为-3.53和-3.33,GH基因对最大连产天数的加性效应值为-2.44.推测GnRH和GH基因是与繁殖主效基因紧密连锁的标记基因.

The cDNA amplified fragment length polymorphism(cDNA-AFLP) analysis system of muscovy duck was established using pituitary as materials.The first single strand cDNA was gained through the reverse transcription from the total RNA.The second strand cDNA was synthesized by using RNase H and DNA polymerase I DNA.Double-stranded cDNA was digested completely after 2 h digestion by EcoRⅠ and MseⅠ step by step,and ligated to two adapters by T4 DNA ligase.The pre-amplification diluted to 40 times for selective amplification.The results of 1% agarose gel electrophoresis and 6% denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophresis(PAGE) indicated that the RNA extraction,cDNA-AFLP pre-amplification and select-amplification by above procedures were effective.The cDNA-AFLP analysis system was established successfully,which provided platform for molecular mechanism of broodiness of muscovy duck.

In this study,Liancheng ducks were used to analyze single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in 5′ regulatory region of GnRH gene by PCR-SSCP,and the correlation between the gene and laying traits had been discussed. The result indicated that there were three genotypes (AA,BB,AB) in Liancheng duck and the genotypes showed there was a significant difference in the number of eggs(300 days of age)(P﹤0.05) and no significant difference in age at first egg (P﹥0.05). It implied that GnRH gene could be used as a molecular mark to screen egg number in Liancheng duck.

<正>北京鸭与台湾菜鸭在田间交配繁殖的鸭群(未经选育),被称为最早的"改鸭"。白改鸭(White Kaiya Duck)是经台湾畜产试验所宜兰分所选用北京公鸭和经选育的白色母菜鸭杂交选育而成,于1985年命名为宜兰改鸭台畜十一号。白改鸭体型、体重介于北京鸭与白菜鸭之间,全身纯白,嘴喙与脚胫橙黄色[1～3]。

全文就番鸭本品种人工授精的关键技术,包括种公番鸭的培育与选择、精液的采集方法、精液的稀释和输精技术进行论述,对目前番鸭生产实践中广泛采用的人工授精技术,具有重要的指导作用和应用价值。

The Phenotypic and genetic parameters of the reproductive traits of Putian black sows were analyzed by HARVEY program. The results indicated: number of nipples were 13.22, total number of pigs born were 10.17, survival litter size was 9.61, litter weight at birth was 8.34kg, birth weight was 0.82kg, litter size at 20 days of age were 8.89, litter weight at 20 days of age were 35.07, litter size at weaning were 8.83, weaning weight of litter were 48.06, and pig weight at weaning were 5.38. The heritability parameters corresponding with above-mentioned reproductive traits were 0.193, 0.160, 0.186, 0.223, 0.247, 0.046, (0.016), 0.331 and 0.284 respectively. The phenotypic correlation between traits ranged from -0.642 to (0.808), and the ranges of genetic and environmental correlations were -0.714--0.982 and -0.770--(0.880) respectively. The genetic correlations between teat number and litter size, survival litter size, litter weight at birth, litter size at weaning were negative, but the phenotypic and environment correlations were positive. The phenotypic and phenotypic correlations between pig weight at weaning and all the reproductive traits were positive. The dependence of the properties of the nest was relatively strong, and a negative genetic correlation existed between the nest properties and individual properties (birth weight and weaning weight of litter). So pig weight at weaning may be regarded as an important choice index of reproductive traits in Putian black swine.

Divided into six groups, normal eggs, the first candling normal eggs, the first and third candling addled eggs, the pipped eggs and the eggs hatched normally, muscovy duck's hatching eggs were hatched at the same time. In order to find out these factors' effect on the hatchability, the pore number and thickness and structure of big end, middle part and the small end, the thickness and the structure of each group were determined. The results indicated that the average pore number(52.28, 55.32, 71.60 entries·cm~(-2)) of the first and third candling addled eggs and the pipped eggs was significantly less than that of the candling normal eggs (83.60 entries·cm~(-2)) and that of the normallyhatched eggs (86.28 entries·cm~(-2)). In the aspect of thickness, the third candling addled eggs' (0.401 mm) and the pipped eggs' (0.395 mm) were all significantly higher than that of the normallyhatched eggs' (0.363 mm).

We separatly measurate eggshell pore number and eggshell thickness of muscovy duck′s hatching eggs in this experiment,the first candling normal eggs,the first and third candling addled eggs,the pipped eggs and the normal hatching eggs at the same time.The result indicates that the average pore number of the first,third candling addled eggs and the pipped eggs are all significantly less than that of normal eggs.But the thickness of the third candling addled eggs′ and the pipped eggs′ are significantly more than that of normal eggs′.We observe the eggshell of the normal eggs,the pipped eggs and the normal hatching eggs with scanning electron microscope.The result shows that the structure of eggshell is the similar to the other poultry egg.And the thickness of pipped eggs(0.395～0.401mm)is significantly more than that of the normal hatching eggs(0.363mm).

In order to improve the hatchability of muscovy duck's hatching eggs, the correlation between egg weight, index of egg shape, egg density, egg stripe and egg hatchability was investigated. The result showed: the highest hatchability (85.7%-86.0%) was obtained when an egg weighed 70.1-84.0 g. When an egg weighed less than 70.0 g or more than 85.1 g, the hatchabilities decreased significantly,which were 71.9% and 75.0% respectively. The highest hatchabilities were found in the groups in which indexes of egg shape were between 1.311 and 1.400, reaching 83.1%-87.6%; when the indexes of egg shape were less than 1.310 or more than 1.430, the hatchabilities decreased to 75.9% and 69.0% respectively. The highest hatchabilities were found in the groups in which the egg density ranged from 1.085 to 1.095 g·cm-3, reaching 83.7%-86.1%. When the egg density was less than 1.085, the hatchability decreased to 64.9%.The relative weight loss rate of normal eggs was significantly lower than that of striped eggs, and the hatchability of normal eggs was significantly higher than that of striped eggs.

种蛋孵化率的高低,主要取决于它的质量、孵化条件及操作技术.种蛋质量的好坏直接影响孵化率和雏禽的品质,因而种蛋质量与养殖业的经济效益和发展密切相关.为此,人们对种蛋质量做了广泛研究.在种蛋内部质量相对稳定的情况下,蛋重、蛋型指数、蛋壳颜色、蛋比重、蛋壳厚度及蛋壳气孔数(通透性)对孵化率的影响尤为重要.本文将对相关的研究作简要综述,可望为选择优质种蛋并提高孵化率提供科学依据.