Transcriptomic analysis of mechanism underlying the effect of induced molting on semen quality and reproductive performance in aged Houdan roosters

Tingqi Zhu; Wenjie Liang; Yuehua He; Binbin Zhang; Cong Liu; Dongxue Wang; Lekun Deng; Donghua Li; Wenting Li; Fengbin Yan; Yadong Tian; Ruili Han; Xiangtao Kang; Zhuanjian Li; Ruirui Jiang; Guirong Sun

Poultry Science (Oct 2023)

Transcriptomic analysis of mechanism underlying the effect of induced molting on semen quality and reproductive performance in aged Houdan roosters

Tingqi Zhu,
Wenjie Liang,
Yuehua He,
Binbin Zhang,
Cong Liu,
Dongxue Wang,
Lekun Deng,
Donghua Li,
Wenting Li,
Fengbin Yan,
Yadong Tian,
Ruili Han,
Xiangtao Kang,
Zhuanjian Li,
Ruirui Jiang,
Guirong Sun

Affiliations

Tingqi Zhu: College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
Wenjie Liang: College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
Yuehua He: College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
Binbin Zhang: College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
Cong Liu: College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
Dongxue Wang: College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
Lekun Deng: College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
Donghua Li: College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
Wenting Li: The Shennong Laboratory, Zhengzhou, 450002, China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
Fengbin Yan: College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
Yadong Tian: College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
Ruili Han: The Shennong Laboratory, Zhengzhou, 450002, China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
Xiangtao Kang: The Shennong Laboratory, Zhengzhou, 450002, China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
Zhuanjian Li: College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
Ruirui Jiang: College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
Guirong Sun: The Shennong Laboratory, Zhengzhou, 450002, China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China; Corresponding author:

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 102, no. 10
p. 102935

Abstract

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ABSTRACT: The reproductive performance of breeder roosters has significant economic importance in the poultry industry. Breeder roosters have severely reduced semen quality with age and will be at risk of culling in the following years. In order to extend the use of breeder roosters, we drew on the induced molting model of hens and selected 35 Houdan roosters aged 50 wk for induced molting. By comparing the body weight, testicular weight, semen quality, and reproductive performance before and after induced molting, we found that induced molting could restore the body weight and testicular weight to the levels before molting (P > 0.05). At the same time, it significantly improved sperm motility (P < 0.05) and also improved reproductive performance such as fertilization rate and hatching rate. To further reveal the mechanism underlying the effects of induced molting on semen quality and reproductive performance in aged Houdan roosters, we collected testes from 3 periods: 1 d before fasting (F0), 15 d after fasting (F15), and 32 d after recovery feeding (R32) for transcriptome sequencing analysis. A total of 5,671 genes were detected in F0, F15, and R32, and trend analysis of the 5,671 differential genes showed 2 significant trends (profile 5 and profile 2). KEGG enrichment analysis of the genes in the 2 profiles, revealed significantly enriched pathway regulation of actin cytoskeleton. In the regulation of actin cytoskeleton pathway, we found a protein kinase gene (SRC) and a senescence gene (ROCK2). SRC was highly expressed at F15, leading to the phosphorylation of key substrates, which in turn disrupted the Sertoli cell spermatid connection and the spermiogenesis process, resulting in no mature spermatozoa produced from F15, SRC expression was inhibited at R32, the expression level was reduced, and mature spermatozoa reappeared. The senescence gene ROCK2 was highly expressed at F15 compared to F0 and R32, which may have been responsible for inducing senescence atrophy in the testes.

Published in Poultry Science

ISSN: 0032-5791 (Print); 1525-3171 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Agriculture: Animal culture
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/poultry-science

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