Genome-wide DNA methylation profiles reveal novel candidate genes associated with meat quality at different age stages in hens.

ABSTRACT: Poultry meat quality is associated with breed, age, tissue and other factors. Many previous studies have focused on distinct breeds; however, little is known regarding the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in different age stages, such as DNA methylation. Here, we compared the global DNA methylation profiles between juvenile (20 weeks old) and later laying-period (55 weeks old) hens and identified candidate genes related to the development and meat quality of breast muscle using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing. The results showed that the later laying-period hens, which had a higher intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition capacity and water holding capacity (WHC) and less tenderness, exhibited higher global DNA methylation levels than the juvenile hens. A total of 2,714 differentially methylat

SUBMITTER: Zhang M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5381223 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature