Consumers are increasingly concerned about the flavor quality of poultry meat, yet the relationship between inosine monophosphate (IMP), intramuscular fat (IMF), and the gut microbiota remains largely unclear. This study aimed to characterize the cecal microbiota associated with IMP/IMF deposition in Daheng broilers selectively bred for high-IMP/IMF levels (High group) and low levels (Control group). A two-stage microbiome analysis strategy was applied.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHeterosis refers to the phenomenon where hybrids exhibit superior performance compared to the parental phenotypes and has been widely utilized in crossbreeding programs for animals and crops, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain enigmatic. A better understanding of the gene expression patterns in post-hatch chickens is very important for exploring the genetic basis underlying economically important traits in the crossbreeding of chickens. In this study, breast muscle and liver tissues ( = 36) from full-sib F1 birds and their parental pure lines were selected to identify gene expression patterns and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 28 days of age by strand-specific RNA sequencing (ssRNA-seq).
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