Researcher(s)
- Isabelle Mast, Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Animal Biosciences, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Aditya Dutta, Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms driving disparate egg-laying rates between highly prolific egg-layer hens and broiler breeder hens is not completely understood. Although differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and a selection of master regulators have been identified between the pre-recruitment and pre-ovulatory stages of ovarian hen follicles, a comparative analysis of these factors between egg-layer hens and broiler breeder hens has yet to be completed. In this study, Master Regulator Analysis (MRA) was carried out along with the Algorithm for the Reconstruction of Accurate Cellular Networks (ARACNe) to identify master regulators that are controlling DEGs in both the pre-recruitment and pre-ovulatory phases between egg-layer hens and broiler breeder hens. Virtual Inference of Protein-activity by Enriched Regulon (VIPER) algorithm was consequently applied to the ARACNe network to perform the MRA and identify the master regulators, which have altered network activity levels. Analysis of the pre-ovulatory follicles in broiler breeder hens against egg-layer hens showed relatively low differential data. However, comparative analysis of the pre-recruitment follicles between the subject groups resulted in possible DEGs and master regulators for study. These identified master regulators were involved in epigenetic alterations such as DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and associations with the SWI/SNF complex. Understanding these key regulatory differences, particularly those related to epigenetics in the pre-recruitment phase, will pave the way for novel strategies to enhance reproductive efficiency in broiler breeders, ultimately increasing chicken production and contributing to more sustainable poultry farming practices.