Abstract
BACKGROUND: Induced molt is an effective measure to reduce the introduction cost, cope with the continuous rise of feed cost, and realize the prolonged rearing of laying hens as well. Vitamins are beneficial to the antioxidant capacity and reproductive performance of laying hens, however, studies on vitamin metabolism during fasting are rarely reported. RESULTS: We analyzed the association between cecal metabolome and liver transcriptome of laying hens during molt. The results showed that 3009 differences genes (FDR < 0.05), among which there were 62 differential genes related to vitamin metabolism. Eight core genes (ALDH1A1, CYP1A1, CYP1A4, AOX2P, AOX1, CYP3A7, BCAT1, CYP26B1) were obtained by protein network interaction (PPI). These genes were mainly enriched in Metabolic pathways, Retinol metabolism, Folate biosynthesis, One carbon pool by Folate, and Chemical carcinogenesis. After association analysis between these genes and cecal metabolites, a total of 176 differential metabolites were obtained. Among them, the metabolites with higher connectivity were Bifemelane, L-valine, Butyryl Fentanyl-D5 and Rimcazole. CONCLUSION: During fasting, vitamin A and vitamin E stored in the liver of laying hens are released in large quantities with the oxidative decomposition of lipids in the liver during fasting, which accelerates the metabolism of vitamin A in the liver. Folate and biotin may participate in the physiological remodeling of laying hens through epigenetic regulation. In addition, through association analysis, we constructed a data platform for vitamin metabolism-related pathway genes and cecal metabolites, laying a foundation for future research. However, whether the relationship between gene expression in the liver and metabolites in the cecum is bidirectional or unidirectional is still unclear and needs to be further studied.