The relationship between lysozyme gene polymorphism and quality changes during the storage of eggs derived from 2 commercial strains of Japanese quail

S Knaga; K Kasperek; A Luchowska; K Drabik; T Próchniak; G Zięba; J Batkowska

doi:10.1016/j.psj.2024.103792

The relationship between lysozyme gene polymorphism and quality changes during the storage of eggs derived from 2 commercial strains of Japanese quail

Poult Sci. 2024 Apr 23;103(7):103792. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103792. Online ahead of print.

Authors

S Knaga¹, K Kasperek², A Luchowska³, K Drabik², T Próchniak², G Zięba², J Batkowska⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Animal Biotechnology and Genetics, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Bydgoszcz 85-084, Poland.
² Institute of Biological Basis of Animal Production, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin 20-950, Poland.
³ Student Research Circle of Dentofacial Orthopedics and Orthodontics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan 60-812, Poland.
⁴ Institute of Biological Basis of Animal Production, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin 20-950, Poland. Electronic address: justyna.batkowska@up.lublin.pl.

Abstract

During the storage irreversible changes occur in eggs that result in a deterioration of their quality. The most significant changes affect the albumen. One of the major proteins of albumen present in egg white is lysozyme, which protects the embryo from microorganisms. This enzyme also contributes to the qualitative characteristics of albumen. It is possible that its polymorphism also affects the quality and stability of the obtained raw material that is, table eggs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the potential effect of polymorphism in the lysozyme gene and protein on the quality changes during the storage of eggs derived from 2 genetic strains of Japanese quail belonging to various utility types. Eggs from selected females of laying and meat-type breeds were stored for 14 wk. During this period the egg quality traits were evaluated 10 times. DNA was isolated from each female and all exons of the lysozyme gene had been sequenced. In total, fourteen SNPs' and one 4-bp indel mutation were identified in exons and adjacent intronic sequences, among which SNP1 (1:32140723) resulted in a substitution of lysine with glutamine (Q21K). The results showed that SNP1 (strain S22), as well as the SNP2, SNP5, SNP7, SNP8, SNP10, SNP11, SNP12 and SNP13 were significantly associated with breaking strength during egg storage in both investigated Japanese quail strains. Furthermore, a 3 haplotype blocks containing nine SNPs (2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 13) were identified. These blocks displayed 8 distinct haplotypes that had significant association with breaking strength at all storage time points where egg quality analyses were performed. The study also revealed significant effects of breed and storage time on the egg quality traits. These results provide new insights into the genetic basis of egg quality during storage and could be incorporated into the breeding programs involving these strains.

Keywords: Japanese quail; breaking strength; egg quality; lysozyme; polymorphism.