Dataset Information

The Gut Microbial Architecture of Efficiency Traits in the Domestic Poultry Model Species Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) Assessed by Mixed Linear Models.

ABSTRACT: It is well known that mammals and avian gut microbiota compositions are shaped by the host genomes and affect quantitative traits. The microbial architecture describes the impact of the microbiota composition on quantitative trait variation and the number and effect distribution of microbiota features. In the present study the gut microbial architecture of feed-related traits phosphorus and calcium utilization, daily gain, feed intake and feed per gain ratio in the domestic poultry model species Japanese quail were assessed by mixed linear models. The ileum microbiota composition was characterized by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing techniques of growing individuals. The microbiability of the traits was on a similar level as the narrow sense heritability and was highly significant except for calcium utilization. The animal microbial correlation of the traits was substantial. Microbiome-wide association analyses revealed several traits associated and highly significant microbiota features, both on the bacteria genera as well as on the operational taxonomic unit level. Most features were significant for more than one trait, which explained the high microbial correlations. It can be concluded that the traits are polymicrobial determined with some microbiota features with larger effects and many with small effects. The results are important for the development of hologenomic selection schemes for feed-related traits in avian breeding programs that are targeting the host genome and the metagenome simultaneously.

SUBMITTER: Vollmar S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7341145 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The Gut Microbial Architecture of Efficiency Traits in the Domestic Poultry Model Species Japanese Quail (<i>Coturnix japonica</i>) Assessed by Mixed Linear Models.

Vollmar Solveig S Wellmann Robin R Borda-Molina Daniel D Rodehutscord Markus M Camarinha-Silva Amélia A Bennewitz Jörn J

G3 (Bethesda, Md.) 20200707 7

It is well known that mammals and avian gut microbiota compositions are shaped by the host genomes and affect quantitative traits. The microbial architecture describes the impact of the microbiota composition on quantitative trait variation and the number and effect distribution of microbiota features. In the present study the gut microbial architecture of feed-related traits phosphorus and calcium utilization, daily gain, feed intake and feed per gain ratio in the domestic poultry model species ...[more]

PMID: 32471941

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Project description:At higher latitudes, vertebrates exhibit a seasonal cycle of reproduction in response to changes in day-length, referred to as photoperiodism. Extended day-length induces thyroid-stimulating hormone in the pars tuberalis of the pituitary gland. This hormone triggers the local activation of thyroid hormone in the mediobasal hypothalamus and eventually induces gonadal development. In avian species, light information associated with day-length is detected through photoreceptors located in deep-brain regions. Within these regions, the expressions of multiple photoreceptive molecules, opsins, have been observed. However, even though the Japanese quail is an excellent model for photoperiodism because of its robust and significant seasonal responses in reproduction, a comprehensive understanding of photoreceptors in the quail brain remains undeveloped. In this study, we initially analyzed an action spectrum using photoperiodically induced expression of the beta subunit genes of thyroid-stimulating hormone in quail. Among seven wavelengths examined, we detected maximum sensitivity of the action spectrum at 500 nm. The low value for goodness of fit in the alignment with a template of retinal1-based photopigment, assuming a spectrum associated with a single opsin, proposed the possible involvement of multiple opsins rather than a single opsin. Analysis of gene expression in the septal region and hypothalamus, regions hypothesized to be photosensitive in quail, revealed mRNA expression of a mammal-like melanopsin in the infundibular nucleus within the mediobasal hypothalamus. However, no significant diurnal changes were observed for genes in the infundibular nucleus. Xenopus-like melanopsin, a further isoform of melanopsin in birds, was detected in neither the septal region nor the infundibular nucleus. These results suggest that the mammal-like melanopsin expressed in the infundibular nucleus within the mediobasal hypothalamus could be candidate deep-brain photoreceptive molecule in Japanese quail. Investigation of the functional involvement of mammal-like melanopsin-expressing cells in photoperiodism will be required for further conclusions.

Project description:Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) reach sexual maturity early, breed rapidly and successfully, and cost less and require less space than other birds raised for their meat and eggs. Given the value of this species for commercial production and experimental use as well as recent increasing demand, more studies are necessary to determine chromosomal regions and genes associated with gender and breed-differentiation in the species. Identification of sex-related genes can help target chromosomal regions for molecular sexing purposes. This study employed Trinity and edgeR for transcriptome analysis of next-generation RNA-seq data, which included 4 tissues obtained from 3 different breeds of Japanese quail (wild, miniature, and jumbo). The initial goal was to identify genes related to sexual dimorphism, as well as potential novel candidate genes for molecular sexing. Analysis and interpretation of differentially expressed genes shared between female and male tissue contrast groups provided insight into sex-related differences. Several of the genes identified in the present study as significant sex-related genes have been previously found in avian gene expression analyses (e.g. NIPBL, UBAP2), and other genes found differentially expressed in this study and not previously associated with sex-related differences may be considered potential candidates for molecular sexing (e.g. TERA, MYP0, PPR17, CASQ2). Additionally, other genes likely associated with neuronal and brain development (e.g. CHKA, NYAP), as well as body development and size differentiation (e.g. ANKRD26, GRP87) in quail were identified. Expression of homeobox protein regulating genes in the sex-related contrast group revealed two genes (HXC4, ISL1) that may regulate sex-specific anatomical development. Results of these analyses expand the currently limited pool of knowledge on the genetic features of the quail breed and could allow for more effective molecular sexing as well as selective breeding for traits important in commercial production.

Dataset Information

The Gut Microbial Architecture of Efficiency Traits in the Domestic Poultry Model Species Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) Assessed by Mixed Linear Models.

Publications

The Gut Microbial Architecture of Efficiency Traits in the Domestic Poultry Model Species Japanese Quail (<i>Coturnix japonica</i>) Assessed by Mixed Linear Models.

Similar Datasets

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