Structural variation and eQTL analysis in two experimental populations of chickens divergently selected for feather-pecking behavior.

ABSTRACT: Feather pecking (FP) is a damaging nonaggressive behavior in laying hens with a heritable component. Its occurrence has been linked to the immune system, the circadian clock, and foraging behavior. Furthermore, dysregulation of miRNA biogenesis, disturbance of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAergic) system, as well as neurodevelopmental deficiencies are currently under debate as factors influencing the propensity for FP behavior. Past studies, which focused on the dissection of the genetic factors involved in FP, relied on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and short insertions and deletions < 50 bp (InDels). These variant classes only represent a certain fraction of the genetic variation of an organism. Hence, we reanalyzed whole-genome sequencing data from two experimental population

SUBMITTER: Falker-Gieske C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9823035 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature