WGCNA-based integration of transcriptomics and metabolomics reveals key meat quality regulators during development in Jingyuan chickens.

ABSTRACT: Jingyuan chickens are known for their unique meat flavor, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the dynamic changes in meat quality at different developmental stages remain unclear. In this study, we systematically measured the meat quality indicators of 42-, 126- and 180-day-old Jingyuan chickens, and integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic data using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify key regulators of meat quality. The results showed that the growth and slaughter performance of 126- and 180-day-old chickens were significantly better than those of 42-day-old chickens (P < 0.05), but the slaughter rate and half-eviscerated rate of 42-day-old chickens were higher. With increasing age, the crude protein, drip loss, and crude ash content of the breast muscle

SUBMITTER: Zhao W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12495225 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature