Changes in pituitary gene expression may underlie multiple domesticated traits in chickens.

ABSTRACT: Domesticated animals share a unique set of morphological and behavioral traits, jointly referred to as the domesticated phenotype. Striking similarities amongst a range of unrelated domesticated species suggest that similar regulatory mechanisms may underlie the domesticated phenotype. These include color pattern, growth, reproduction, development and stress response. Although previous studies have focused on the brain to find mechanisms underlying domestication, the potential role of the pituitary gland as a target of domestication is highly overlooked. Here, we study gene expression in the pituitary gland of the domesticated White Leghorn chicken and its wild ancestor, the Red Junglefowl. By overlapping differentially expressed genes with a previously published list of functionally impor

SUBMITTER: Fallahshahroudi A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6327055 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature