Transcriptome changes underlie alterations in the chicken domestic phenotype in response to divergent artificial selection

In recent decades artificial selection has contributed greatly to meeting the demands for animal meat, eggs and milk. However, it has also resulted in changes in behavior, metabolic and digestive function and alterations in tissue development including the brain and skeleton. Our study aimed to profile the behavioral traits and transcriptome pattern of chickens (broilers, layers and dual-purpose breeds) in response to artificial selection under different rearing systems.