Comparative Transcriptome Analyses of Leg Muscle during Early Growth between Geese (Anser cygnoides) Breeds Differing in Body Size Characteristics

Abstract

Goose is an important poultry commonly raised for meat. The early growth performance of geese significantly influences their market weight and slaughter weight, affecting the poultry industry’s economic benefits. To identify the growth surge between the Shitou goose and the Wuzong goose, we collected the early growth body traits from 0 to 12 weeks. In addition, we investigated the transcriptomic changes in leg muscles at the high growth speed period to reveal the difference between the two geese breeds. We also estimated the growth curve parameters under three models, including the logistic, von Bertalanffy, and Gompertz models. The results showed that except for body length and keel length, the best-fitting model between the body weight and body size of the Shitou and Wuzong was the logistic model. The growth turning points of Shitou and Wuzong were 5.954 and 4.944 weeks, respectively, and the turning point of their body weight was 1459.01 g and 478.54 g, respectively. Growth surge occurred at 2–9 weeks in Shitou goose and at 1–7 weeks in Wuzong goose. The body size traits of the Shitou goose and Wuzong goose showed a trend of rapid growth in the early stage and slow growth in the later stage, and the Shitou goose growth was higher than the Wuzong goose. For transcriptome sequencing, a total of 87 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified with a fold change ≥ 2 and a false discovery rate < 0.05. Many DEGs have a potential function for growth, such as CXCL12, SSTR4, FABP5, SLC2A1, MYLK4, and EIF4E3. KEGG pathway analysis identified that some DEGs were significantly enriched in the calcium signaling pathway, which may promote muscle growth. The gene–gene interaction network of DEGs was mainly related to the transmission of cell signals and substances, hematological system development, and functions. This study can provide theoretical guidance for the production and breeding management of the Shitou goose and Wuzong goose and help reveal the genetic mechanisms underlying diverse body sizes between two goose breeds.

Development of myofibers and muscle transcriptomic analysis in growing Yili geese

“…In this study, the expression of the MYLK2 gene was significantly higher at 4 and 8 wk of age than at 2 wk of age, the expression of the MYLK3 gene decreased gradually with the increase of weekly age, and the opposite was true for the MYLK4 gene, which is involved in the signaling pathways such as adhesion plaque, calcium signaling pathway, and the regulation of actin cytoskeleton, which may be related to the muscle growth and intercellular signaling, and play a key role. In a comparative transcriptomic study of the leg muscles of Shitou goose and Wuzong goose, it was similarly found that MYLK4 may be associated with growth and development ( Tang et al, 2023 ).…”

“…The Focal adhesion pathway is significantly enriched in genes such as MYLK4, COL4A5, PARVA, etc., of which COL4A5 is thought to be possibly related to the transmission of cellular signals and substances, and the development and function of the blood system. A sound blood system can provide many nutrients for the growth of body tissues and promote the organism's growth ( Tang et al, 2023 ).…”

“… Hu et al (2022) found that short photoperiod significantly promoted muscle development and significantly improved the redness of goose muscle, and identified the possible involvement of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, calcium signaling pathway, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in the regulation of muscle development and meat color in geese by light through RNA-seq analysis. Tang et al (2023) investigated transcriptional changes in the leg muscles of the Shitou goose and the Wuzong goose during a period of high growth rate and found that many DEGs have potential growth functions, such as CXCL12, SSTR4, FABP5, SLC2A1, MYLK4, and EIF4E3. The gene-gene interaction network of DEGS is mainly related to the transmission of cell signals and substances, hematological system development, and functions.…”

Muscle Transcriptome Analysis of Mink at Different Growth Stages Using RNA-Seq

“…Wang identified seven growth-related genes through the comparative transcriptome analysis of Muscovy duck ileum tissue, providing a theoretical foundation for investigating the impact of the ileum on duck growth and metabolism [11]. Tang identified 290 and 87 differentially expressed genes associated with growth traits in the comparative transcriptome analysis of pituitary and muscle tissues from large and small geese, respectively [12,13]. Wen performed a comparative transcriptome analysis on muscle tissue from Tibetan sheep at four different growth stages, revealing that the LIPE, LEP, ADIPOQ, SCD, and FASN genes may modulate muscle fiber type transformation through the AMPK signaling pathway, consequently impacting meat quality [14].…”

Identification of SNPs Associated with Goose Meat Quality Traits Using a Genome-Wide Association Study Approach

“…In 2021, Chinese goose meat production reached an impressive 570 million birds, accounting for 99% of Asia’s total and 94% of the global output. Furthermore, China achieved a goose meat yield of 1.77 million tons [ 2 ]. Renowned for its exceptional meat quality, the Sichuan white goose (Anser cygnoides domesticus) stands as a distinct local breed in China.…”