Ovarian transcriptomic analysis and follicular development of Leizhou black duck

This study investigated the factors that caused the differences in egg production during the development of ovarian follicles in Leizhou black ducks. Leizhou black ducks population was divided into 2 groups as high-yield group (HG) and low-yield group (LG). The number of eggs (NE), age at first egg (AFE), weight at first egg, and egg weight (EW) of both groups were recorded, and differences were analyzed using the t test. The logistic model was used to simulate the egg production curves to analyze the production rules. The ovarian follicles of both duck groups were collected to count the number of different grades sized follicles, weigh the ovaries, and observe follicular sections to analyze the developmental differences. Ovarian transcriptomic sequencing was performed to investigate differentially expressed genes and signal pathways in both duck groups. The results revealed a significant difference (P