Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis reveals mechanisms of eggshell color variation in Pekin ducks.

ABSTRACT: Green-shelled eggs are widely recognized for their high quality, nutritional value, and superior shell strength, making them highly attractive to consumers. In ducks, the trait for green shells is dominant, while the trait for white shells is recessive. Notably, even within homozygous dominant populations, considerable variation in eggshell color intensity remains, affecting product uniformity and market value. In this study, homozygous green-shelled laying ducks at 30 and 70 weeks of age into three groups based on shell color measurements: dark-green, medium-green, and light-green. The content of biliverdin decreased significantly with age and exhibited considerable variation among the three-color groups, while protoporphyrin IX content showed no consistent trend or significant difference

SUBMITTER: Wang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12464688 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature