Effects of the DMRT1 genotype on the body weight and gut microbiota in the broiler chicken

Abstract

Intestinal microbiota is a critical determinant of growth and risk of metabolic diseases. Our previous studies showed that the locus rs16775833 within the DMRT1 gene is significantly associated with variation in the population structure of the gut microbiota, which is involved in determining the BW of the chicken. To assess the accuracy of correlation of rs16775833 located in the DMRT1 gene on microbial population and BW in birds, 2 genotypes GG and TT in the rs16775833 were identified in Chinese Yellow broiler breeders. We found that BW in the TT genotype group was significantly higher than in the GG genotype group at 7 and 13 wk of age in 777 female chickens. A full-length 16S rRNA sequencing approach was used to further evaluate the fecal bacterial composition of female broilers in 11 TT genotype chickens with high weight ( HW-TT ) and 11 GG genotype chickens with low weight ( LW-GG ) at 91 D of age. Partial least squares discriminant analysis revealed that the microbiota of the HW-TT and LW-GG females were clearly separated into 2 clusters. Furthermore, we identified 13 significantly different ( P < 0.05) microbes at the genus level and 17 significantly different ( P < 0.05) species between the HW-TT and LW-GG groups. Our data show that rs16775833 can modulate the microbial community structure and is associated with the BW of birds. To our knowledge, this is the first time that DMRT1 has been identified as a specific host factor, which is not only involved in sex determination but also has an effect on microbial function that might regulate animal growth.

Host-genotype-dependent cecal microbes are linked to breast muscle metabolites in Chinese chickens

“…However, genetic loci associated with the microbial community structure in chickens have rarely been reported. Only loci within three genes, DMRT1, pleomorphic adenoma, and lck/yes-related novel tyrosine kinase, were identified to be associated with the microbial community ( Ji et al., 2019 , 2020 ). In the present study, we identified 35 loci within 34 known genes, and 135 in intergenic regions were closely associated with 15 ASVs ( Tables S4 and S5 ).…”

The link between broiler flock heterogeneity and cecal microbiome composition

“…Genetics cannot be ignored as a factor in shaping the microbiome, though the genetic effect expectedly is smaller than the environmental [ 4 , 5 ]. Residual heterozygosity and polymorphisms within the broiler line can contribute to microbiome variation and phenotypic variation [ 54 , 55 ].…”

Integrated Microbiome and Metabolome Analysis Reveals a Positive Change in the Intestinal Environment of Myostatin Edited Large White Pigs

“…The gut microbiota comprises numerous microorganisms, and changes in the gut microbial composition are influenced by both the host genotype and environmental factors ( Neish, 2009 ; David et al, 2014 ). Results showed that 2 genotypes, GG and TT, in the rs16775833 within the DMRT1 gene can modulate the microbial community structure and are associated with the body weight of birds ( Ji et al, 2020 ). The host’s genetic background, including the different isoforms of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene, can exert an influence over microbiota composition ( Guardia-Escote et al, 2019 ).…”