Identification of the molecular mechanisms governing ovulation frequency in low and high egg producing turkey hens

Due to selection for carcass traits, egg production in turkey hens has been reduced. This project sought to perform transcriptome analysis of the tissues of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis in low egg producing and high egg producing turkey hens. Furthermore, these hens were compared outside and during the preovulatory surge that triggers ovulation. Understanding the differences between low egg producing hens and high egg producing hens, particularly in regard to triggering ovulation, may allow for selection for increased egg production without compromising growth.由于针对胴体性状的选育，火鸡母鸡的产蛋量有所降低。本研究旨在对低产蛋量与高产蛋量火鸡母鸡的下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴（hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis）组织开展转录组分析。此外，本研究还在触发排卵的排卵前峰期以及该峰期以外的时段，对这两类母鸡进行了对比分析。解析低产蛋量与高产蛋量火鸡母鸡之间的差异，尤其是在排卵触发机制方面的差异，有望在不影响生长性能的前提下，选育出产蛋量更高的火鸡品系。