Abstract
This study aimed to elucidate the genetic basis of lipid composition in the breast muscles of poultry, including AA broilers, dwarf guinea fowl, quails, and pigeons, and the impact of artificial selection on lipid traits. By employing lipidomics and transcriptomic sequencing, the research analyzed the chest muscle tissues of these four poultry. A total of 1542 lipid molecules were identified, with 711 showing significant differences among species. These lipids primarily belonged to subclasses such as TG, PC, Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), Ceramides (Cer), and Diglyceride (DG), with each species demonstrating distinct profiles in these subclasses. Additionally, 5790 orthologous genes were identified, with 763, 767, 24, and 8 genes in AA broilers, dwarf guinea fowl, quails, and pigeons, respectively, exhibiting positive selection (Ka/Ks > 1). Notably, 114 genes related to lipid metabolism displayed significant differential expression, particularly between AA broilers and dwarf guinea fowl. The findings revealed that the metabolic pathways of PC and LPC lipid molecules in the glycerophospholipid pathway, as well as TG lipid molecules in the glycerolipid pathway, exhibited marked interspecies differences, potentially contributing to variations in breast muscle lipid composition. These results provide a solid foundation for understanding the lipid composition and molecular regulatory mechanisms in diverse poultry, offering valuable insights for further research in poultry lipid metabolism and artificial breeding programs.