Feathered foot is a trait observed in domestic and wild chickens, resulting from the partial or complete transformation of scales on the tarsus, shanks, and toes into feathers. Although previous studies have mapped genomic loci associated with feathered feet, the molecular mechanisms underlying this transformation remain unclear. This study combined whole-genome re-sequencing (WGS) data, transcriptomic analysis, and cellular experiments to investigate the genetic basis of feathered feet in Guangxi native chickens. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 1,735 Guangxi native chickens identified two genomic regions and several candidate genes, including TBX3, TBX5, and H2AFY. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (QRT-PCR) results confirmed that TBX5 is differentially expressed between chickens with scaled and feathered feet, indicating its role as a key candidate gene for feathered feet. The function of TBX5 was subsequently explored at the cellular level using chicken dermal fibroblasts. The results showed that moderate overexpression of TBX5 (20 ng) significantly increased the expression of cell proliferation-related genes. In contrast, excessive overexpression of TBX5 (2.5 μg) and interference with TBX5 inhibited these genes, suggesting a dose-dependent effect of TBX5 on the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts. EdU fluorescence staining, flow cytometry, and migration assays demonstrated that moderate expression of TBX5 can promote the proliferation and migration of dermal fibroblasts, while TBX5 interference produced opposite results. Our findings suggest that TBX5 is a pivotal candidate gene associated with feathered feet in Guangxi native chickens. It is proposed that TBX5 may affect the formation of feathered feet by regulating the proliferation and migration of dermal fibroblasts.

Guangxi indigenous chickens represent valuable genetic resources characterized by diverse phenotypic features, disease resistance, and superior meat quality, making them ideal breeding materials for modern breeding systems. Elucidating the genetic basis underlying these traits in Guangxi indigenous chickens is crucial for further advancements in breeding programs. In the current study, using whole-genome sequencing, we performed comprehensive genomic analyses to characterize the genetic diversity, population structure, demographic history and selection signatures for seven Guangxi indigenous chicken breeds and two commercial breeds. The results of genetic diversity indices and effective population size demonstrated Guangxi indigenous chicken breeds maintain significantly higher genetic diversity and have undergone less intensive artificial selection than commercial breeds. Population genetic analyses revealed obvious geographic stratification, dividing Guangxi chicken breeds into southern and northern clusters. Southern populations showed closer genetic affinity to red junglefowl (Gallus gallus spadiceus) than northern populations, suggesting differential selection patterns. Genome-wide selection scans identified strong signals between southern and northern populations, uncovering genes associated with pigmentation (BCO2, SOX10, GRM5, MC1R, MITF, EDN3), body size (IGF1, POU1F1, CDH12) and egg production (AKT3, WDR25). Additionally, comparative genomic analysis with commercial breeds identified divergent selection at loci governing genes related to growth, reproduction, disease resistance and environmental adaptability, such as IGF1, LRP1B, GLI3, CDH7, KIF18A, ROBO2, EVA1A, IKZF1, GRID2, and EPHA7. These selection patterns likely reflect the unique genomic features of Guangxi indigenous chickens, shaped by ecological adaptations, traditional husbandry practices, and consumer preferences. Our findings offer new perspectives on the genetic architecture of Guangxi indigenous chickens, facilitating their conservation and utilization in modern breeding programs.

Egg production performance a critical economic trait in the poultry industry. The regulatory mechanisms underlying egg production performance mediated by non-coding RNAs remain to be characterized. To systematically investigate ovarian lncRNAs, circRNAs, and miRNAs associated with laying efficiency, we conducted comparative transcriptomic analyses using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of ovarian tissues from phenotypically divergent groups - high egg production (HEP) and low egg production (LEP) hens. In our study, we identified 675 lncRNAs, 140 circRNAs, and 10 miRNAs that were significantly differentially expressed (DE) between HEP and LEP. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that target genes of DE lncRNAs, DE miRNAs, and the source genes of DE circRNAs are involved in the MAPK signaling pathway, endocytosis, notch signaling pathway, among others. Furthermore, we identified five miRNA-mRNA interactions related to egg production including gga-miR-449c-3p, and five genes (GLI2, TAC1, EML6, THOC3, MMP9). These findings establish the first comprehensive ncRNA interactome driving ovarian efficiency, offering both biomarkers for breeding selection and mechanistic targets for reproductive enhancement.

Muscle development is a multifaceted process influenced by numerous genes and regulatory networks. Currently, the regulatory network of chicken muscle development remains incompletely elucidated, and its molecular genetic mechanisms require further investigation. The Longsheng-Feng chicken, one of the elite local breeds in Guangxi, serves as an excellent resource for the selection and breeding of high-quality broiler chickens. In this study, we conducted transcriptome sequencing of the pectoral muscles of Longsheng-Feng chickens and AA broiler chickens with different growth rates. Through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, we identified differentially expressed genes that affect muscle growth and showed that IGF2BP1 is a key participant in chicken muscle development. Subsequently, we employed QRT-PCR, EdU staining, and flow cytometry to further investigate the role of IGF2BP1 in the proliferation and differentiation of chicken myogenic cells. We identified 1143 differentially expressed genes, among which IGF2BP1 is intimately related to the muscle development process and is highly expressed in muscle tissues. Overexpression of IGF2BP1 significantly promotes the proliferation and differentiation of chicken primary myoblasts, while knockdown of IGF2BP1 significantly inhibits these processes. In summary, these results provide valuable preliminary insights into the regulatory roles of IGF2BP1 in chicken growth and development.

BACKGROUND:Sperm storage capacity (SSC) determines the duration of fertility in hens and is an important reproduction trait that cannot be ignored in production. Currently, the genetic mechanism of SSC is still unclear in hens. Therefore, to explore the genetic basis of SSC, we analyzed the uterus-vagina junction (UVJ) of hens with different SSC at different times after insemination by RNA-seq and Ribo-seq.RESULTS:Our results showed that 589, 596, and 527 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 730, 783, and 324 differentially translated genes (DTGs), and 804, 625, and 467 differential translation efficiency genes (DTEGs) were detected on the 5th, 10th, and 15th days after insemination, respectively. In transcription levels, we found that the differences of SSC at different times after insemination were mainly reflected in the transmission of information between cells, the composition of intercellular adhesion complexes, the regulation of ion channels, the regulation of cellular physiological activities, the composition of cells, and the composition of cell membranes. In translation efficiency (TE) levels, the differences of SSC were mainly related to the physiological and metabolic activities in the cell, the composition of the organelle membrane, the physiological activities of oxidation, cell components, and cell growth processes. According to pathway analysis, SSC was related to neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, histidine metabolism, and PPAR signaling pathway at the transcriptional level and glutathione metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, calcium signaling pathway, cell adhesion molecules, galactose metabolism, and Wnt signaling pathway at the TE level. We screened candidate genes affecting SSC at transcriptional levels (COL4A4, MUC6, MCHR2, TACR1, AVPR1A, COL1A1, HK2, RB1, VIPR2, HMGCS2) and TE levels(COL4A4, MUC6, CYCS, NDUFA13, CYTB, RRM2, CAMK4, HRH2, LCT, GCK, GALT). Among them, COL4A4 and MUC6 were the key candidate genes differing in transcription, translation, and translation efficiency.CONCLUSIONS:Our study used the combined analysis of RNA-seq and Ribo-seq for the first time to investigate the SSC and reveal the physiological processes associated with SSC. The key candidate genes affecting SSC were screened, and the theoretical basis was provided for the analysis of the molecular regulation mechanism of SSC.

Abstract High-intensity selection has dramatically increased growth rate and daily weight gain in broilers, but the accompanying problem is the excessive deposition of abdominal fat. According to our previous transcriptome analysis, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) and miR-1434 were identified as involved in abdominal fat. In this study, we further investigated their function in the proliferation and differentiation of chicken preadipocytes. The results indicated that overexpression of IGFBP2 promoted the proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes, while interference of IGFBP2 inhibited cell proliferation and lipogenic differentiation. The regulatory effect of miR-1434 on the proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes was opposite to that of IGFBP2. Dual-luciferase reporter assay proved that miR-1434 directly binds to the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of IGFBP2. As expected, the miR-1434 mimics eliminated the impact of the overexpression vector of IGFBP2 on preadipocytes. In brief, we revealed that miR-1434 promoted the proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes by blocking IGFBP2expression, thus impacting deposition in broilers. These findings may provide a novel target for improving chicken meat quality.

The avian eggshell is formed in the uterus. Changes in uterine function may have a significant effect on eggshell quality. To identify the vital genes impacting uterine functional maintenance in the chicken, uteri in three different periods (22W, 31W, 51W) were selected for RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. In our study, 520, 706 and 736 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were respectively detected in the W31 vs W22 group, W51 vs W31 group and W51 vs W22 group. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated DEGs were enriched in the extracellular matrix, extracellular region part, extracellular region, extracellular matrix structural constituent, ECM receptor interaction, collagen-containing extracellular matrix and collagen trimer in the uterus ( P < 0.05). Protein–protein interaction analysis revealed that FN1 , LOX , THBS2 , COL1A1 , COL1A2 , COL5A1 , COL5A2 , POSTN , MMP13 , VANGL2 , RAD54B , SPP1 , SDC1 , BTC , ANGPTL3 might be key candidate genes for uterine functional maintenance in chicken. This study discovered dominant genes and pathways which enhanced our knowledge of chicken uterine functional maintenance.

The genetic and developmental factors driving the diverse distribution and morphogenesis of feathers and scales on bird feet are yet unclear. Within a single species, Guangxi domestic chickens exhibit dramatic variety in feathered feet, making them an accessible model for research into the molecular basis of variations in skin appendages. In this study, we used H&E staining to observe the morphogenesis of feathered feet, scaled feet and wings skin at different embryonic stages in Longsheng-Feng chickens and Guangxi Partridge chickens. We selected 4 periods (E6, E7, E8, and E12) that play an important role in feather development and performed transcriptome sequencing to screen for candidate genes associated with feathered feet. Through comparison and analysis of transcriptome data, we identified a set of differently expressed genes (DGEs), which were enriched in appendage organ development, hindlimb morphogenesis, activation of transcription factor binding, and binding of sequence-specific DNA in the cis-regulatory region. In addition, we identified some feathered feet-related genes by analyzing the classical signaling pathways that regulate feather development. Finally, we identified candidate genes that regulate feathered feet formation, which include TBX5, PITX1, ZIC1, FGF20, WNT11, WNT7A, WNT16, and SHH. Interestingly, we found that TBX5 was significantly overexpressed in the skin of the feathered feet and had the highest expression at E7 (P < 0.01), whereas PITX1 expression was significantly reduced at E7(P < 0.01). It is hypothesized that TBX5 and PITX1 regulate the development of hair follicles through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway at E7. Our results provide a theoretical basis for investigating the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying the formation of chicken feathered feet.

为探究优质鸡鸡冠与繁殖性状的关系,试验以南丹瑶鸡300只母鸡、150只公鸡为研究对象,测量鸡冠面积、冠高、冠长及冠厚,分别将其与母鸡开产至40周龄的产蛋量、22周龄公鸡的精子活力及密度进行相关性分析,并根据面积大小将公鸡分为两组,在22周龄和28周龄时比较两组间精液品质的差异.结果显示:母鸡的鸡冠面积与产蛋量呈显著正相关(P＜0.05);22周龄公鸡的精子密度与鸡冠面积、鸡冠高、鸡冠长、鸡冠厚度均呈显著正相关(P＜0.05),精子活力与鸡冠面积和厚度呈显著正相关(P＜0.05),且大鸡冠组的精子密度显著高于小鸡冠组的精子密度(P＜0.05);28周龄大鸡冠组的精液量显著高于小鸡冠组(P＜0.05).研究表明,鸡冠与鸡产蛋量、精子密度等繁殖性状有关,在公鸡中虽然不同周龄中的精液品质有所不同,但大鸡冠公鸡精子质量略高于小鸡冠公鸡,可通过对鸡冠大小的选择来间接对优质鸡的繁殖性状进行选育.

Fat deposition is a vital factor affecting the economics of poultry production. Numerous studies on fat deposition have been done. However, the molecular regulatory mechanism is still unclear. In the present study, the whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing in abdominal fat, back skin, and liver both high- and low-abdominal fat groups was used to uncover the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulation network related to chicken fat deposition. The results showed that differentially expressed (DE) genes in abdominal fat, back skin, liver were 1207(784 mRNAs, 330 lncRNAs, 41 circRNAs, 52 miRNAs), 860 (607 mRNAs, 166 lncRNAs, 26 circRNAs, 61 miRNAs), and 923 (501 mRNAs, 262 lncRNAs, 15 circRNAs, 145 miRNAs), respectively. The ceRNA regulatory network analysis indicated that the fatty acid metabolic process, monocarboxylic acid metabolic process, carboxylic acid metabolic process, glycerolipid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway took part in chicken fat deposition. Meanwhile, we scan the important genes, FADS2, HSD17B12, ELOVL5, AKR1E2, DGKQ, GPAM, PLIN2, which were regulated by gga-miR-460b-5p, gga-miR-199-5p, gga-miR-7470-3p, gga-miR-6595-5p, gga-miR-101-2-5p. While these miRNAs were competitive combined by lncRNAs including MSTRG.18043, MSTRG.7738, MSTRG.21310, MSTRG.19577, and circRNAs including novel_circ_PTPN2, novel_circ_CTNNA1, novel_circ_PTPRD. This finding provides new insights into the regulatory mechanism of mRNA, miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA in chicken fat deposition.

During follicular development, a series of key events such as follicular recruitment and selection are crucially governed by strict complex regulation. However, its molecular mechanisms remain obscure. To identify the dominant genes controlling chicken follicular development, the small white follicle (SWF), the small yellow follicle (SYF), and the large yellow follicle (LYF) in different laying stages (W22, W31, W51) were collected for RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. There were 1866, 1211, and 1515 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between SWF and SYF in W22, W31, and W51, respectively. 4021, 2295, and 2902 DEGs were respectively identified between SYF and LYF in W22, W31, and W51. 5618, 4016, and 4809 DEGs were respectively identified between SWF and LYF in W22, W31, and W51. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated that extracellular matrix, extracellular region, extracellular region part, ECM-receptor interaction, collagen extracellular matrix, and collagen trimer were significantly enriched ( P < 0.05). Protein–protein interaction analysis revealed that COL4A2 , COL1A2 , COL4A1 , COL5A2 , COL12A1 , ELN , ALB , and MMP10 might be key candidate genes for follicular development in chicken. The current study identified dominant genes and pathways contributing to our understanding of chicken follicular development.

为了探究不同日龄的东涛鸡和广西麻鸡肌肉的营养成分差异,试验选取体质健康的150日龄和400日龄的广西麻鸡、东涛鸡公鸡各4只,测定及分析了腿肌的营养成分及氨基酸含量和成分.结果表明:同一日龄的广西麻鸡肌肉中蛋白质含量和脂肪含量均高于东涛鸡,150日龄东涛鸡肌肉中的钙含量最高,不同日龄的东涛鸡肌肉中的肌苷酸含量均显著高于广西麻鸡;不同日龄不同品种鸡的肌肉中氨基酸总量存在一定差异,150日龄的东涛鸡和广西麻鸡肌肉中氨基酸总量分别为21.5 g/100 g和18.5 g/100 g,而400日龄的分别为17.6 g/100 g和19.3 g/100 g;2个品种肌肉中均测出氨基酸16种,含必需氨基酸7种、风味氨基酸8种,其中谷氨酸含量最高,门冬氨酸和赖氨酸次之;400日龄广西麻鸡肌肉中必需氨基酸含量总量是最高的,且其门冬氨酸和谷氨酸含量最高;肉中的鲜味成分主要是谷氨酸和肌苷酸,东涛鸡腿肌的肌苷酸含量均高于广西麻鸡,说明东涛鸡的鲜味程度更高.此结果可为优质肉鸡的培育提供新的思路.

为了探讨东涛鸡的肉质特性,本研究分别以150日龄和400日龄东涛鸡为研究对象,并以同日龄广西麻鸡为对照,分析了胸肌、腿肌的pH值、剪切力、肉色、滴水损失等肉品质指标.结果显示,在胸肌中,400日龄的广西麻鸡胸肌pH24h值显著低于东涛鸡(P＜0.05),而150日龄和400日龄胸肌pH45min值及150日龄pH24h值在两个品种间均差异不显著(P＞0.05);胸肌肉色检测的3个指标L*、a*、b*,在不同日龄和不同品种间均差异不显著(P＞0.05);失水率在不同日龄和不同品种间也均差异不显著(P＞0.05);400日龄广西麻鸡胸肌的剪切力显著高于东涛鸡(P＜0.05).在腿肌中,pH45min值和pH24h值在150日龄和400日龄的东涛鸡和广西麻鸡中均差异不显著(P＞0.05);400日龄东涛鸡的L*值显著高于广西麻鸡(P＜0.05),a*值在各日龄和各品种间均差异不显著(P＞0.05),150日龄和400日龄东涛鸡的b*值均显著高于广西麻鸡(P＜0.05);150日龄东涛鸡和广西麻鸡的失水率差异不显著(P＞0.05),而400日龄广西麻鸡的失水率显著高于东涛鸡(P＜0.05);东涛鸡和广西麻鸡腿肌切力在两个日龄均差异不显著(P＞0.05).本研究的结果提示,东涛鸡鸡肉具有良好的嫩度、保水力和长时间保存的潜力,可作为优良肉品质鸡品种培育的良好素材.

Nandan-Yao chicken is a Chinese native chicken with lower fat deposition and better meat quality. Fat deposition is a quite complex and important economic trait. However, its molecular mechanism is still unknown in chickens. In the current study, Nandan-Yao chicken was divided into two groups based on the rate of abdominal fat at 120 days old, namely the high-fat group and low-fat group. The total RNAs were isolated and sequenced by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). After quality control, we gained 1222, 902, 784, 624, and 736 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in abdominal fat, back skin, liver, pectoral muscle, and leg muscle, respectively. Analysis of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) showed that significantly enriched GO term and KEGG signaling pathway mainly involved cytosolic ribosome, growth development, PPAR signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, and linoleic acid metabolism in abdominal fat, back skin, and liver. While in pectoral muscle and leg muscle, it is mainly enriched in phosphatidylinositol signaling system, adrenergic signaling in cardiomyocytes, cytosolic ribosome, and cytosolic part. Sixteen genes were differentially expressed in all five tissues. Among them, PLA2G4A and RPS4Y1 might be the key regulators for fat deposition in Nandan-Yao chicken. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of DEGs showed that PCK1 was the most notable genes. The findings in the current study will help to understand the regulation mechanism of abdominal fat and intramuscular fat in Nandan-Yao chicken and provide a theoretical basis for Chinese local chicken breeding.

BACKGROUND:Egg production is a very important economic trait in chicken breeding, but its molecular mechanism is unclear until now. Nandan-Yao chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) is a native breed in Guangxi province, China, which is famous for good meet quality, but with low egg production. METHODS:To explore the molecular regulation related to egg production, high egg production (HEP) and low egg production (LEP) were divided according to the total egg number at 55 weeks, and the concentration of serum sex hormones was tested to evaluate the physiological function of ovary and uterus. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was used to explore the transcriptome from the ovary and uterus of Nandan-Yao chicken. RESULTS:The levels of serum sex hormone showed that concentrations of estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteotropic hormone (LH) were significantly higher in HEP than those in LEP (P < 0.01), while the concentration of testosterone (T) was significantly lower in HEP (P < 0.01). RNA-Seq analysis identified 901 and 2763 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ovary and uterus, respectively. Enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were significantly involved in the regulation of tight junction in the ovary (P < 0.05), while in uterus, DEGs were mainly enriched in the phagosome, ECM-receptor interaction, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), focal adhesion, cardiac muscle contraction, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and the regulation of MAPK signaling pathway (P < 0.05). Protein network interaction and function analyses revealed that FN1, FGF7, SOX2 identified from the ovary, and UQCRH, COX5A, FN1 from the uterus might be key candidate genes for egg production in Nandan-Yao chicken. CONCLUSIONS:Our study provided key candidate genes and pathways involved in the egg-laying process of Nandan-Yao chicken and could help to further understand the molecular mechanisms of chicken reproduction.

Feed efficiency is an important economic factor in poultry production, and the rate of feed efficiency is generally evaluated using residual feed intake (RFI). The molecular regulatory mechanisms of RFI remain unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify candidate genes and signaling pathways related to RFI using RNA-sequencing for low RFI (LRFI) and high RFI (HRFI) in the Xiayan chicken, a native chicken of the Guangxi province. Chickens were divided into four groups based on FE and sex: LRFI and HRFI for males and females, respectively. We identified a total of 1,015 and 742 differentially expressed genes associated with RFI in males and females, respectively. The 32 and 7 Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment terms, respectively, identified in males and females chiefly involved carbohydrate, amino acid, and energy metabolism. Additionally, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis identified 11 and 5 significantly enriched signaling pathways, including those for nutrient metabolism, insulin signaling, and MAPK signaling, respectively. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis showed that the pathways involving CAT, ACSL1, ECI2, ABCD2, ACOX1, PCK1, HSPA2, and HSP90AA1 may have an effect on feed efficiency, and these genes are mainly involved in the biological processes of fat metabolism and heat stress. Gene set enrichment analysis indicated that the increased expression of genes in LRFI chickens was related to intestinal microvilli structure and function, and to the fat metabolism process in males. In females, the highly expressed set of genes in the LRFI group was primarily associated with nervous system and cell development. Our findings provide further insight into RFI regulation mechanisms in chickens.

蛋重和蛋形指数是地方鸡育种过程中蛋品质测定的两个重要性状,会一定程度影响孵化成绩.为探究广西6个地方鸡品种蛋重和蛋形指数的变化规律及其与孵化成绩的关系,将广西三黄鸡(SH)、霞烟鸡(XY)、广西麻鸡(GXM)、南丹瑶鸡(NDY)、龙胜凤鸡(LSF)、东兰乌鸡(DLW)6个地方鸡品种与作为对照的来航鸡(LH)比较,在相同的饲养条件下,对其整个产蛋期的蛋重和蛋形指数及对应孵化成绩进行分析研究.结果 显示,广西地方鸡品种的蛋重随着产蛋周龄的增加而增加,产蛋后期显著高于产蛋前期(P＜0.05),蛋形指数随着产蛋周龄的增加呈上升趋势.来航鸡的蛋重显著高于广西地方鸡(P＜0.05).应用判别分析可对本研究6个地方品种受精蛋的孵化情况进行预测和预选.该研究为广西地方品种蛋重和蛋形指数的选种选育提供理论依据.

为了探讨蛋壳颜色形成的分子基础,从分子水平提高南丹瑶鸡的选种选育,以整个产蛋周期(24～60周龄)256只南丹瑶鸡蛋壳颜色为研究对象,利用多重PCR测序的方法检测蛋壳颜色相关基因,用单因素方差分析检测得到的SNP与蛋壳颜色的相关性.结果 显示:在检测的92个位点中,与32周龄、40周龄、48周龄、56周龄蛋壳颜色显著相关的位点各1个(P＜0.05),与36周龄、52周龄蛋壳颜色显著相关的位点各4个(P＜0.05),与44周龄蛋壳颜色显著相关的位点2个(P＜0.05),与60周龄蛋壳颜色显著相关的位点7个(P＜0.05);其中Chr4_16561950、Chr1 85290873两个SNP位点可作为蛋壳颜色性状选育位点.研究结果为南丹瑶鸡蛋壳颜色形成的分子机理提供了理论依据,为提高其蛋壳颜色的均匀度提供了分子标记.

本文以广西富凤农牧集团有限公司饲养的895只28周龄的广西麻鸡母鸡连续26天产蛋数据为依据,对广西麻鸡个体产蛋规律进行了初步分析和研究.结果表明,在统计期内,平均个体产蛋量为15.77±0.25个,最高个体产蛋量为28个,母鸡产蛋量大多数集中在16个～25个,这些母鸡的产蛋数占总产蛋数的90％.大部分母鸡在上午产蛋,上午产蛋数占产蛋总数的59％,且个体产蛋总数与上午产蛋数呈极显著正相关(p<0.01).经相关性分析,母鸡个体产蛋数与连产天数呈极显著正相关(p<0.01),与产蛋间隔呈极显著负相关(p<0.01).广西麻鸡就巢性较强,研究发现,母鸡个体产蛋数与抱窝天数呈极显著负相关(p<0.01).研究可为广西麻鸡进一步的育种工作提供数据支撑.

为了研究广西地方鸡品种东兰乌鸡不同周龄蛋品质及其变化规律,试验在饲养条件相同的条件下,测定了东兰乌鸡不同周龄(28,32,36,40,44,48,52,56,60周龄)的蛋品质指标,检测指标包括蛋重、蛋形指数、蛋黄颜色、哈氏单位、蛋壳比率、蛋壳强度、蛋壳厚度、蛋黄比率.结果 表明:蛋重随着产蛋周龄的增加而增大,产蛋后期显著高于产蛋前、中期(P＜0.05),蛋形指数和蛋黄比率随着产蛋周龄的增加呈上升趋势,蛋壳强度和蛋壳比率随着产蛋周龄的增加呈下降趋势,蛋壳厚度、哈氏单位和蛋黄颜色在整个产蛋周期内无明显的变化规律.总体而言,东兰乌鸡蛋蛋重较小、蛋壳较薄、蛋形规则、蛋白浓稠、蛋黄比率高、蛋黄颜色适中.说明东兰乌鸡作为广西地方鸡品种具有较好的蛋品质,且在不同产蛋期的蛋品质具有一定的变化规律.