Differentially expressed genes for aggressive pecking behaviour in laying hens.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Aggressive behaviour is an important aspect in the daily lives of animals living in groups. Aggressive animals have advantages, such as better access to food or territories, and they produce more offspring than low ranking animals. The social hierarchy in chickens is measured using the 'pecking order' concept, which counts the number of aggressive pecks given and received. To date, little is known about the underlying genetics of the 'pecking order'.

Results

A total of 60 hens from a high feather pecking selection line were divided into three groups: only receivers (R), only peckers (P) and mixed peckers and receivers (P&R). In comparing the R and P groups, we observed that there were 40 differentially expressed genes [false discovery rate (FDR) P < 0.10]. It was

SUBMITTER: Buitenhuis B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2785841 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature