Altered expression of metabolic pathways and immune-related genes revealed by RNA sequencing and metabolomic analysis in meat-type chickens with different growth rates.

ABSTRACT: Differences in growth rates among broiler chickens within a single commercial genetic line have important economic implications; however, their molecular basis remains incompletely understood. This study analyzed male Ross 308 broilers classified into early- and late-growth lines based on weight gain from 1 to 5 days of age. We integrated RNA sequencing, metabolomics based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and exploratory SNP analysis of pectoralis major muscle tissue collected at 35 days of age. Our integrative analysis revealed contrasting energy utilization programs. Slow early-growth phenotype chickens showed a Warburg-like metabolic profile characterized by glycolytic reliance, lactate fermentation, ketone metabolism, and enhanced proteolysis, accompanied by a bottleneck in mit

SUBMITTER: Ishihara S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12830128 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature