NGS gene expression analysis in the shell gland of hens laying eggs differing in cuticle deposition

The cuticle of an egg is formed in the shell gland and we know there is considerable genetic variation in cuticle deposition and we can use hormonal treatments to produce eggs without cuticles. In an effort to try to understand more about the factors which may control variation in cuticle deposition, we have analysed global gene expression in the shell gland with a view to elucidating the molecular mechanisms and biological pathways involved in cuticle deposition in the shell gland. In order to do that we have sequenced RNA from 8 biological replicate samples of chicken shell gland in each of two experimental conditions; GnRH and AVT, this resulted in hens laying eggs with and without cuticle respectively, but at the same chronological time