Transcriptomic Insights Into the Effects of Tyrosine on Sub-Columbian Plumage in H Line Chickens
November 2025
in “
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
”
Studysummary In this study, feeding H-line chickens a diet with 1.0% tyrosine for 40 days significantly increased melanin deposition in feathers and revealed changes in gene expression related to melanin pathways, suggesting tyrosine's involvement in regulating feather color through the EDNRB2 regulatory network.
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This study investigated the effect of tyrosine on melanin production in H-line chicken feathers. Chickens were fed diets with varying tyrosine concentrations, and a 1.0% tyrosine diet significantly increased melanin deposition after 40 days. Transcriptome sequencing of feather follicles from chickens on 0% and 1.0% tyrosine diets revealed 314 differentially expressed genes, with 7 genes linked to melanin-related pathways. Notably, the gene <i>EDNRB2</i> showed peak expression at 10 weeks and was significantly elevated in primary chicken melanocytes with tyrosine supplementation. The study highlights the role of the tyrosine-induced <i>EDNRB2</i> regulatory network in melanin levels, enhancing understanding of tyrosine's molecular impact on chicken plumage.
