Calcium deposition in chicken eggshells: role of host genetics and gut microbiota

Jiaming Jin; Quanlin Li; Qianqian Zhou; Xiaochang Li; Fangren Lan; Chaoliang Wen; Guiqin Wu; Guangqi Li; Yiyuan Yan; Ning Yang; Congjiao Sun

Poultry Science (Oct 2024)

Calcium deposition in chicken eggshells: role of host genetics and gut microbiota

Jiaming Jin,
Quanlin Li,
Qianqian Zhou,
Xiaochang Li,
Fangren Lan,
Chaoliang Wen,
Guiqin Wu,
Guangqi Li,
Yiyuan Yan,
Ning Yang,
Congjiao Sun

Affiliations

Jiaming Jin: State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding and Frontier Science Center of Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Quanlin Li: State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding and Frontier Science Center of Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Qianqian Zhou: State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding and Frontier Science Center of Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Xiaochang Li: State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding and Frontier Science Center of Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Fangren Lan: State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding and Frontier Science Center of Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Chaoliang Wen: State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding and Frontier Science Center of Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Guiqin Wu: Beijing Engineering Research Centre of Layer, Beijing 101206, China
Guangqi Li: Beijing Engineering Research Centre of Layer, Beijing 101206, China
Yiyuan Yan: Beijing Engineering Research Centre of Layer, Beijing 101206, China
Ning Yang: State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding and Frontier Science Center of Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Congjiao Sun: State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding and Frontier Science Center of Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Corresponding author:

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 103, no. 10
p. 104073

Abstract

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ABSTRACT: Eggshell is predominantly composed of calcium carbonate, making up about 95% of its composition. Eggshell quality is closely related to the amount of calcium deposition in the shell, which requires chickens to maintain a robust state of calcium metabolism. In this study, we introduced a novel parameter, Total Eggshell Weight (TESW), which measures the total weight of eggshells produced by chickens over a period of 10 consecutive d, providing valuable information on the intensity of calcium metabolism in chickens. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to explore the genetic determinants of eggshell calcification in a population of 570 Rhode Island Red laying hens at 90 wk of age. This study revealed a significant association between a specific SNP (rs14249431) and TESW. Additionally, using random forest modeling and 2-tailed testing, we identified 3 genera, Lactobacillus in the jejunum, Lactobacillus, and Fournierella in the cecum, that exhibited a significant association with TESW. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis of claudin-1 and occludin genes in individuals with low TESW and high abundance of jejunal Lactobacillus confirmed that the inhibitory effect of jejunal Lactobacillus on calcium uptake was achieved through the up-regulation of tight junctions in intestinal epithelial cells. Notably, both host and microbial factors influence TESW, displaying a mutually influential relationship between them. The microbiome-wide Genome-Wide Association Study (mb-GWAS) identified significant associations between these 3 genera and specific genomic variants, such as rs316115020 and rs316420452 on chromosome 5, rs313198529 on chromosome 11, linked to Lactobacillus in the cecum. Moreover, rs312552529 on chromosome 1 exhibited potential association with Fournierella in the cecum. This study highlights the influence of host genetics and gut microbiota on calcium deposition in eggshells during the late laying phase, providing a foundational reference for studying calcium metabolism in hens.

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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