The Transcriptome dynamics of the pituitary of turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) during broodiness

Abstract Broodiness is a maternal behavior and an instinct for natural breeding in poultry that inhibits egg production. The transition from the egg-laying to the brooding phase is a complex process that ultimately leads to gonadal regression, changes in neuroendocrine patterns, and termination of ovulation. The turkey is one of the species having strong brooding behavior and affecting the productivity of industry. genetic and environmental factors influencing broodiness in poultry have been extensively studied, but the molecular regulation mechanism of broodiness is somewhat unclear. Recently, the RNA sequencing technique has been applied to investigate gene expression profiles during the egg-laying period and brooding period. In this research, the pituitary transcriptome of commercial turkey birds were studied during the egg-laying and brooding period. A total of 334 differentially expressed genes were identified (fold change ≥ 1, P < 0.05). There were 229 upregulated expressed genes and 104 downregulated at egg-laying period compared with brooding period. In the present study, the results of GO and KEGG analysis revealed that the genes in the protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum pathway, Spliceosome complex pathway and Regulation of actin cytoskeleton pathway (P < 0.05) are critical for controlling the hormonal cycle and autophagy. In addition, regulation of neurotransmitter secretion and regulation of neuronal synaptic plasticity were highly enriched in calcium ion related biological processes.