Differential expression of MSTN, IGF2BP1, and FABP2 across different embryonic ages and sexes in white Muscovy ducks

Abstract

To explore the effects of growth-related genes in both sexes and at different growth and development stages, male and female white Muscovy ducks at embryonic day E13, E17, E21, E25 and E29 were assessed in this study. RT-qPCR was used to determine the mRNA transcription levels of selected growth-related genes in the leg muscles of Muscovy ducks of both sexes and at different growth and developmental stages. MSTN, IGF2BP1 and FABP2 mRNAs were expressed in the leg muscles of male and female Muscovy ducks, but with different expression patterns. The MSTN and IGF2BP1 mRNA expression patterns were wavelike. MSTN mRNA expression was elevated at E13, increased at E17, decreased rapidly to the lowest level at E21, increased again at E25, and then decreased. IGF2BP1 mRNA expression was elevated at E13, increased at E17, decreased rapidly at E21, decreased rapidly to the lowest level at E25, and increased at E29. The expression trend of FABP2 mRNA was approximately "⊥" shape; the expression was the lowest at E13, increased slowly from E17 to E25, and increased extremely significantly at E29. In addition, the expression of MSTN in male Muscovy ducks was significantly higher than that in female ducks at E25 (P < 0.05). The expression of IGF2BP1 in male Muscovy ducks was extremely significantly higher than that in female ducks at E17 (P < 0.01). However, the expression of FABP2 in female Muscovy ducks was extremely significantly higher than that in male Muscovy ducks at E21 and E29 (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the mRNA expression of MSTN, IGF2BP1 and FABP2 in white Muscovy ducks is gestational age specific and sex specific. The differential gene expression patterns observed in this study provide a basis for understanding the physiological changes in white Muscovy ducks at different embryonic ages and in both sexes, supplementing the existing research on duck embryo muscle development. In addition, the findings provide a new framework for further discussion of poultry breeding.

Keywords: FABP2; IFG2BP1; MSTN; Real-time quantitative PCR; White Muscovy duck.