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Review
. 2023 Jan 4;14(1):141.
doi: 10.3390/genes14010141.

Interacting Networks of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian Axis Regulate Layer Hens Performance

Jinbo Zhao  1   2 , Hongbin Pan  1 , Yong Liu  1 , Yang He  1 , Hongmei Shi  1 , Changrong Ge  1
Affiliations
Review

Interacting Networks of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian Axis Regulate Layer Hens Performance

Jinbo Zhao et al. Genes (Basel). .

Abstract

Egg production is a vital biological and economic trait for poultry breeding. The 'hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis' determines the egg production, which affects the layer hens industry income. At the organism level, the HPO axis is influenced by the factors related to metabolic and nutritional status, environment, and genetics, whereas at the cellular and molecular levels, the HPO axis is influenced by the factors related to endocrine and metabolic regulation, cytokines, key genes, signaling pathways, post-transcriptional processing, and epigenetic modifications. MiRNAs and lncRNAs play a critical role in follicle selection and development, atresia, and ovulation in layer hens; in particular, miRNA is known to affect the development and atresia of follicles by regulating apoptosis and autophagy of granulosa cells. The current review elaborates on the regulation of the HPO axis and its role in the laying performance of hens at the organism, cellular, and molecular levels. In addition, this review provides an overview of the interactive network regulation mechanism of the HPO axis in layer hens, as well as comprehensive knowledge for successfully utilizing their genetic resources.

Keywords: hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis; interactive network regulation mechanism; laying performance; molecular mechanism.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Factors influencing layer hens egg production over the last 50 years.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a–c) Interaction mechanism of the avian HPO axis network.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The role of four signaling pathways in granulosa cell development.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The role of DNA methylation in granulosa cell development. There are two main patterns of DNA methylation, including methylation of CpG islands (normal cells) and unmethylation of CpG islands (abnormal cells). These CpG islands are located in the promoter regions of housekeeping genes. If the CpG islands are methylated in the promoter region, the expression of downstream genes is inhibited, and cell development is normal. If the CpG islands are unmethylated in the promoter region, downstream genes are activated, and cell development is abnormal. The CpG island for methylation donors complete the process of demethylation under the action of the DNMT enzyme, which combines with miRNAs (miR-26-5p, miR-1a, and miR-21) to suppress transcription.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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